Southern Illinois University shall expand its focus on rural health care as a component of health professions education programs on its several campuses, including, but not limited to, its programs in medicine, nursing, dentistry, and technical careers, and through research and technical assistance programs. The University shall further encourage the regional outreach mission of its School of Medicine through the establishment of a dedicated administrative entity within the School with responsibility for rural health care planning and programming. The University may work with communities, state agencies, other colleges and universities, private foundations, health care providers, and other interested organizations on innovative strategies to respond to the health care needs of residents of rural areas.
The University shall have the authority:
410 ILCS 65/3.1