When people think of healthcare in Greater Peoria, they think of the big names — OSF, Carle, Heartland. And for good reason. These are the systems caring for our communities day in and day out.
But behind many of the doctors in those hospitals, and behind the scenes of some of the region’s biggest healthcare innovations, is a name fewer people know: UICOMP.
The University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria (UICOMP) is where tomorrow’s physicians are trained, research is pushed forward and new ideas take root. It’s one of three campuses in the nation’s largest public medical school, and it’s quietly powering the local healthcare pipeline.
So what does that actually look like? Let’s dive in.
A Pipeline Rooted in Peoria
UICOMP brings 65 new medical students to Peoria each year, selected from thousands of applicants nationwide. These students come from across the country, but what’s striking is how many of them end up staying.
On 2025 Match Day, 50 students from UICOMP were placed into residency programs in 19 states and 16 specialties — and 65% stayed in Illinois. That’s not just a win for hospitals. It’s a win for every patient, family and community they’ll serve.
UICOMP’s Rural Student Physician Program is a great example of that commitment in action. Medical students are embedded in rural communities, working alongside primary care doctors and learning firsthand about the unique challenges of healthcare access outside urban centers. Over half of the students who complete this program go on to practice in rural areas.
Because where you train often shapes where you choose to stay.
Education That Goes Beyond the Textbook
Medicine isn’t just about mastering anatomy and physiology. Healthcare is evolving fast, and UICOMP makes sure its students are ready to meet the moment.
Programs like UMED (Urban Medicine), CEMED (Clinician Executive Medicine), EdMED (Education in Medicine) and EquIMED (Equity Innovation Medicine) train students in leadership, innovation and medical education — preparing them not just to practice, but to teach and transform the systems they’re part of.
One course sends students to Brazil, where they work in local communities on public health challenges like water quality, combining global thinking with local problem-solving.
It’s all part of something bigger: shaping doctors who aren’t just skilled, but curious, compassionate and connected to the people they care for.
Innovation, Research and Regional Impact
UICOMP doesn’t just teach medicine. They help advance it.
Through partnerships with JUMP Trading Simulation Center, Bradley University and others, UICOMP students and faculty are driving research in areas like cancer care, healthy aging and community wellbeing.
UICOMP currently supports more than 445 active studies and has received over $14 million in federal research funding. The school also publishes more than 300 articles annually. The ripple effect is real. A recent study with Bradley University estimated UICOMP’s local economic impact at $95 million per year.
Real-World Care, Real-World Commitment
UICOMP-employed academic physicians are directly involved in more than 45,000 patient encounters each year across the healthcare system, often working alongside students and residents in real clinical settings. For those training at UICOMP, it’s hands-on experience with high stakes and lasting impact. And for patients, it means your care might come from someone who’s learning and growing right here in Peoria.
A Community Mission That Goes Beyond Medicine
UICOMP’s reach isn’t limited to hospitals and research labs. The school runs health equity and social accountability initiatives like the Community Baby Shower, which supports expectant mothers with essentials like diapers and cribs.
Medical students help grow food in a campus garden, with produce donated to Sophia’s Kitchen.
And programs like Mini Med School and Pre-Med Immersion at JUMP give younger students a chance to explore healthcare careers early on — expanding the pipeline for tomorrow’s workforce.
Looking Ahead
With over 650 learners, including approximately 260 medical students and more than 400 residents and fellows, UICOMP continues to grow its footprint. Plans are underway to transform the cleared site of the former VA building into a new, multifaceted facility focused on clinical care, innovation and comprehensive women’s health.
As Dr. Meenakshy Aiyer, UICOMP’s regional dean, puts it:
“When I talk to colleagues in other regions, it’s clear — Peoria is different. We don’t compete the way other places do. We collaborate. And because of that, we’re in a great place for success.”
UICOMP isn’t just producing physicians. It’s shaping people who stay, serve and strengthen the communities around them.
Right here. In the heart of Peoria.