Where Innovation Meets Collaboration: The SIH Surgical Symposium

The latest advances in surgery and patient care took center stage in Carbondale as Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH) hosted a surgical symposium at the Garden Grove Event Center. The one-day event drew surgeons, physicians, nurses and allied health professionals from across the region for a day of power-packed learning, networking and collaboration.

A Community Gathering of Experts

Dr. Abbas Badami, trauma, acute care and general surgeon at SIH and event co-director, opened the symposium by highlighting the unique opportunity to bring together such a diverse group of providers in one space.

“It’s really rare to look around the room and see surgeons, primary care providers and nurses sitting in harmony—sharing coffee, conversation and a common purpose,” Dr. Badami said. “Today is about collaboration, communication and staying up to date in an ever-evolving medical and surgical field.”

Throughout the day, attendees engaged with subject matter experts who shared the latest management guidelines and cutting-edge techniques in hernia and gallbladder repairs, obesity, oncology, end-of-life care, trauma, robotics and more.

Addressing Rural Challenges

In interviews with regional media, Dr. Badami emphasized the importance of creating a local forum for knowledge exchange.

“It’s very important for our Southern Illinois community to have a venue where we can continue to improve our medical knowledge and discuss excellent patient care,” he said.

He also acknowledged the particular challenges faced in rural areas, including patient access to care and the variety of socioeconomic factors that affect treatment.

“At SIH, we are fortunate to have a wide variety of specialists and providers offering a broad spectrum of care for complex medical and surgical issues. We are here to help you,” he added.

Innovation in Robotics and Technology

Robotics remained a central focus of the symposium. Dr. Badami reminded attendees that SIH was one of the pioneers in bringing robotic-assisted surgery to Southern Illinois more than a decade ago, with advanced platforms now available in multiple SIH facilities.

“Robotics is going to continue to evolve with the advent of artificial intelligence and precision methods,” he said. “It is a tool to improve patient care—and with growing volume, we can provide more efficient, cost-effective treatment that keeps patients at the center.”

Strengthening the Region’s Medical Community

Co-director Dr. Adrian Martin, a general surgeon with SIH, noted that the symposium is the only event of its kind in the region not hosted by an academic institution.

“It’s a reflection of our commitment to improving the health of patients in our community,” Dr. Martin said.
Both physicians expressed hope for the symposium’s continued growth, with future plans for a virtual platform to expand its reach nationally and globally.