Governor Ryan Announces Opening of New Health Care Clinic

JACKSONVILLE -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced the opening of a new health care clinic at the Jacksonville Developmental Center (JDC) under the leadership of Dr. Rod C. Curtis, current medical director at JDC. Dr. Curtis is also is on the faculty of Internal Medicine and Psychiatry at Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Medicine.

"This partnership between the Jacksonville Developmental Center and the SIU School of Medicine is the next step in a continued effort to improve services for people with developmental disabilities," Governor Ryan said. "This clinic will allow the Center to provide more comprehensive health care services to JDC residents."

JDC will hold an open house at the new health care clinic on Tuesday, November 28, 2000 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The clinic, located on the first floor of the Bushnell building on the south side of campus, will provide health services for people who live at the Center. Other health care related services including pharmacy, medical supplies and the laboratory have been re-located to the Bushnell building.

"The clinic brings together many of the Center's health care professionals in a "community-style" environment," Linda Reneé Baker, Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services said. "The clinic will provide the best options for treatment, follow up to treatment plans and coordination with community-based medical specialists."

Facility Director Michael Hurt and representatives of the Illinois Department of Human Services and SIU School of Medicine will offer remarks at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday pertaining to health care services within DHS and the clinic at the Jacksonville Center. Refreshments will be served. Members of the community desiring to attend the open house should contact the Jacksonville Center at (217) 479-2110 with questions or to secure directions.

DHS operates 11 residential developmental centers that serve persons with severe developmental disabilities.