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PRESS RELEASE – ORTHOPAEDIC INSTITUTE OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
April 3, 2023
The Orthopaedic Institute of Southern Illinois (OISI) announces the retirement of Dr. John B. Wood, effective June 30, 2023. Dr. Wood has been with the organization for 28 years and has been an integral part of the establishment and development of the organization.
Dr. Wood earned his BA in Economics, Biochemistry, and Cell Biology from the University of California-San Diego; he received his medical doctorate from St. Louis University Medical School graduating summa cum laude in 1987; and he completed his orthopedic surgical residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Following his training, he served as an orthopedic surgeon in the United States Air Force supporting Operation Desert Shield ultimately achieving the rank of Major. Dr. Wood joined OISI in 1995 and was the fourth member the group that eventually numbered 22 surgeons. He was a leader in the development and expansion of the practice including the establishment of the Orthopedic Institute of Western Kentucky and the Southern Illinois Orthopedic Ambulatory Surgical Center (SIOC).
Over the years, Dr. Wood has treated thousands of patients in Southern Illinois, providing high quality care, locally. He is an avid Saluki fan and has served as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and team physician for the SIU Salukis from 1998 to 2016.
“There are no words to describe the impact that Dr. Wood has had on our organization and more importantly our region. He has made a huge impact on keeping care at home, right here in Southern Illinois,” said Justin D. Harris, CEO of the Orthopaedic Institute. “While serving in numerous leadership roles over the years, we are thankful for his dedication to serve as long-standing Treasurer of the OISI Board and Chairman of the SIOC board since it was established in 2000.”
“It has been the great joy of my professional life to take care of the people of Southern Illinois. Thank you for entrusting your care to me and my team. I couldn’t have done this without the great support of my wife, Stephanie, the Southern Illinois Hospital system, my ever-faithful nurse Betsy, who has been with me from the beginning, my wonderful Physician assistants John Nugent and Tim Jennings, as well as the supremely professional staff at OISI. I want to thank my colleagues at the Institute, without whom OISI could not have been created. Tom Davis, the founder of our group, deserves special mention. When my family and I moved from California to Carbondale in 1995, we fell in love with the area and the people. We will stay in the area after my retirement and continue to travel, enjoy the outdoors and to root on the Salukis.”
Dr. Wood will continue seeing patients through June 2023. Arrangements will be made for continued care with his very well qualified partners.
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