Vanessa Ferguson

Ward Lamon is the director of Student Support Services for District 186. He spoke to Community Voices about the District 186 Empower All Abilities Conference on Nov. 16 at Lanphier High School. The conference will offer community resources and breakout sessions discussing topics such as Autism, ADHD and transition services. The conference will also feature keynote speaker Jordan Toma, a social media influencer and author of the book “I’m Just a Kid with an IEP.”To learn more visit: https://www.sps186.org/article/1832161

Dr. Kari Wolf is the chair of psychiatry at SIU School of Medicine and the CEO of the Illinois Behavioral Health Workforce Center. She spoke to Community Voices about how she works to improve our system of health care to go beyond helping one patient at a time. She also shared how she maintains her mental health and her interest in the arts.

The World Affairs Council of Central Illinois is a civic organization dedicated to educating the public about U.S. foreign policy, global economic and environmental issues, and international politics. It has an upcoming program on Nov. 13, titled “Building Global Agricultural and Rural Capacity: Experiences from Brazil and Surrounding Countries," featuring Dr. Colby Silvert. Silvert spoke to Community Voices about his upcoming presentation, how he developed an interest in global agriculture and what he observed during his time in South America and Africa.For information about the World Affairs Council of Central Illinois visit: https://mywacci.org/

The Illinois Symphony Orchestra will present its next concert, “Paris Impressions” on Friday Nov. 8, at the UIS Performing Arts Center in Springfield, Ill. and Saturday Nov. 9, at the ISU Center for the Performing Arts in Normal, Ill. Grammy-nominated conductor and the former Music Director of ISO Alastair Willis will conduct the orchestra. The concert will also feature actor Robert R. Mangialardi who is currently an Emeritus Assistant Professor of Voice and former Director of the Opera Theatre program at Illinois Wesleyan University. The program includes:Selections from Franck Symphony in D minorDebussy Prelude to the Afternoon of a FaunStravinsky Firebird – Petrushka – Rite of SpringPoulenc Les BichesRavel La ValseFor ticket information visit: ilsymphony.org

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is making strides in cancer research through its collaboration of medicine and engineering expertise. Professors Bill King and Stephen Boppart spoke to Community Voices about the projects which will explore production of uniform 3-D tumor models for testing research and improved optical imaging technologies to improve surgical precision in the removal of cancer cells.

Dr. Andrew Lam is a retinal surgeon and an assistant professor of ophthalmology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He’s also an award-winning, international bestselling author of four books, “The Masters of Medicine,” “Saving Sight,” “Repentance” and “Two Sons of China.” On Thursday Oct. 31, at 3:30 p.m., he will give a talk at the Lincoln Library titled “The Only Winner in War is Medicine.” The event is a fundraiser for the Lincoln Library Alliance.For more information:Website: www.AndrewLamMD.comFacebook: @AndrewLamAuthorTwitter: @Andrew_LamMDInstagram: @AndrewLamMD

Taylor Stevens is the regional community liaison for Synergy HomeCare in Central Illinois. She spoke to Community Voices about the business, which provides in-home assistance and support, including housekeeping, transportation and companionship. Stevens explained the personalized service Synergy HomeCare provides and the diversity of the clients they serve.For more information visit: https://synergyhomecare.com/il-springfield-62711/

“Hurricane Diane” is the latest play presented by the UIS Theatre program. It follows the Greek god Dionysus who visits Earth as a permaculture gardener named “Diane” in hopes of fighting climate change with the help of four suburban News Jersey women. Director of the show Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson and Professor of Biology Dr. Amy McEuen spoke to Community Voices about the play, the cast and the hope they want audiences to have leaving the theatre.

The Citizens Club of Springfield met in September to hear from the Independent Coalition for our Neighborhoods (ICON), a non-profit organization which advocates for cleaner, safer and healthier neighborhoods throughout Springfield. President of the group Mark Mahoney spoke to the crowd to explain how the organization advocates for improved city policy and procedures. He also shared video messages from ICON Board Members Polly Poskin and Jill Steiner.

Erin Burneson is a recent recipient of the Illinois Jaycees Outstanding Young Persons of Illinois awards, and she was listed as an Outstanding Young American by Junior Chamber International USA. Originally from Williamsville, she now lives in India and works in the field of sustainable development. She founded studio Rachanā, which works with others “to catalyze creativity for social and environmental impact and to collaboratively solve complex humanitarian problems.” She spoke to Community Voices about her interest in Indian culture, her experience working with rural Indian women to upcycle waste and what she learned while helping refugees learn English.