Welcome to the Neurology Residency Program at the University of Illinois College of Medicine – Peoria! In collaboration with the Department of Neurology at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, the UICOM-P offers an ACGME-accredited 4-year program in Adult Neurology. The goal of this program is to provide high quality clinical training in both inpatient and outpatient care, encompassing General Neurology and its various sub-specialty fields. A brief overview of who we are:

An early pioneer in the field of neuroscience, the Department of Neurology installed the first CAT scanner in Illinois. Another first occurred in 1983, when the first Neuro-Special Care Unit in downstate Illinois was opened in order to care for patients during an outbreak of botulism. Now, the Neurological Critical Care Unit boasts 31 beds, specialized nursing, and a portable CT scanner. In 1997, under the direction of Dr David Wang, the newly formed OSF Stroke Network became the largest rural stroke network in the United States. In 2004, the OSF Stroke Center earned the “Gold Seal of Approval” as a JCAHO certified Primary Stroke Center, the first in Illinois. Now affiliated with over 25 Illinois hospitals, the Stroke team has developed into one of the most progressive stroke programs in the country, providing excellence in the care of stroke patients, as well as clinical research and education. With this large referral base, the department has also been able to introduce additional sub-specialty services and clinics, including the Comprehensive Epilepsy Clinic, Multiple Sclerosis Center, Neuro-Ophthalmology & Vertigo, Neuromuscular Disorders, Neuro-Rehabilitation, and Sleep Disorders. This expanded Neurology department has since joined forces with the departments of Neurosurgery and Neuroradiology to form the Illinois Neurological Institute, a hospital within OSF Saint Francis Medical Center.

The history of Peoria's Saint Francis Medical Center goes back to 1876, when six Sisters of the Third Order of St Francis began caring for the sick in a small two-story frame house and called it St Francis Hospital. Soon, the city asked the Sisters to take charge of the city hospital, and a new facility was purchased. Multiple additions and expansions were eventually performed, while the Order began opening up several hospital facilities in cities around Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan. Today, OSF Saint Francis is Illinois' fourth largest medical center, with 710 licensed beds. It is the area's only Level I Trauma Center and has been designated Magnet Status for excellence in nursing care. In addition to the Illinois Neurological Institute, OSF Saint Francis is home to the Heart Hospital (the first in Illinois to be JCAHO certified in heart attack care) and the Children's Hospital of Illinois (ranked among the top 1 percent of Neonatal Intensive Care Units). Currently, the medical center is continuing its commitment to cutting edge medical care with its new Milestone Project (a 440,000 square foot addition) and the forthcoming implementation of comprehensive Electronic Medical Records. These projects will allow OSF Saint Francis to meet the growing healthcare needs of Peoria and the surrounding region.

The city of Peoria gets its name from the Peoria tribe of Illini Indians, a part of the Algonquin Nation. The area around present-day Peoria changed hands between different Native American groups, including the Kickapoo and Foxes. The first European settlers to the area were the French, who built Fort Crevecoeur and Fort St Louis II on opposite banks of the Illinois River. Great Britain also briefly controlled the area, but the Illinois Territory was eventually annexed to the newly formed United States of America, although the main settlement at Peoria remained populated by French settlers. After destroying both the French settlement and the surrounding village of Native Americans during the unfortunate events of 1812, American soldiers built Fort Clark over present-day Peoria, and American settlers began to re-populate the area. By 1845, the settlement had incorporated into a city, and the city and county were both renamed Peoria. This new city played a pivotal role during the lead-up to the Civil War, with Abraham Lincoln's 1854 speech being held on the courthouse steps. Despite sharp division on the topic of slavery, the Underground Railroad had a station in Peoria, and 536 Peoria men gave their lives to preserve the Union. As it entered the 20th century, Peoria became known as a major center of liquor production and was a prominent stop on the Vaudeville circuit. The phrase "Will it play in Peoria?" emphasizes how Peoria represents the average American city. Today, the city is home to over 110,000 Peorians, while the Greater Peoria Metro area has a population of 370,000. In recognition of its infrastructure, culture and appeal, Peoria has won several awards (including the "All-America City Award" three times!) and consistently ranks highly on various lists of America's best cities.