Dr. Christopher J. Betzle is among 65 new physicians in the Class of 2014 who graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine on Saturday, May 17. He will enter an orthopaedic surgery residency at ­­Western Michigan University School of Medicine in Kalamazoo, Mich., in July.

Betzle is the son of John and Elodie Betzle of East Moline. He is a graduate of United Township High School in East Moline (2006) and Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in biology (2010).

Commencement exercises for the School’s 40th graduating class were held in the Sangamon Auditorium in Springfield. The convocation address was delivered by Dr. Benjamin P. Sachs, senior lecturer at Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. The medical degrees were conferred by Rita Cheng, SIUC chancellor, and diplomas were presented by Dr. J. Kevin Dorsey, Ph.D., dean and provost of the medical school.

Established in 1970, SIU School of Medicine is based in Carbondale and Springfield and focused on the health care needs of downstate Illinois. It is specifically oriented to educating physicians prepared to practice in Illinois communities and has graduated 2,615 physicians since the first class in 1975. Its website is www.siumed.edu.

Please take this time with me to congratulate Dr. Christopher Betzle!