SIC Honors Dr. R. Edward Winters as 2025 Distinguished Alumnus
Southeastern Illinois College is proud to announce Dr. R. Edward Winters as its 2025 Distinguished Alumnus, recognizing his lifelong commitment to education, innovation, and service. Dr. Winters will be honored in absentia during the commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 15 at 7 p.m.
A 1963 SIC graduate, Dr. Winters credits the college and its dedicated educators for helping him find his path. After overcoming personal and financial challenges, he was encouraged by his mother and SIC Dean Charles Helwig to attend SIC—an opportunity he calls “life-changing.” As a student leader, Dr. Winters helped open the college’s first bookstore and student lounge, fostering a campus environment built on initiative and community.
Dr. Winters continued his education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where he shifted his focus from mathematics and chemistry to psychology, inspired by the field’s blend of science and human behavior. He went on to earn advanced degrees at both Wayne State University and the University of Michigan, completing his doctoral research in sensory processes and human factors psychology.
“The marriage of science and human behavior was the perfect fit for me,” Dr. Winters said. “The encouragement and belief shown in me at SIC—by teachers like my mother and Dean Helwig—set everything in motion. I owe so much to those who supported me and hope every graduate remembers the power of a great teacher.”
In a remarkable career spanning teaching, research, and industry, Dr. Winters founded Advanced Biomedical Devices, Inc. and WinMed, Inc., pioneering new technologies for cardiovascular care. He is named on multiple U.S. patents, including inventions that have become standard in life-saving heart procedures. Among his proudest accomplishments are medical devices that improved vascular access for premature infants and neonates—work that required determined advocacy for vulnerable patients, even when the business case was overlooked.
“My proudest work has always been improving outcomes for those who needed it most, especially newborns and premature babies,” Winters said. “Sometimes it took a fight to convince others of the need, but the humanitarian impact always made it worthwhile.”
Throughout his career, Dr. Winters has remained committed to education and mentorship, training healthcare teams, consulting for global medical leaders, and publishing research and technical materials used in the field today. He continues to credit SIC for providing the strong foundation that made all his future achievements possible.
“SIC’s mission is to empower students from all backgrounds, and Dr. Winters is living proof of the impact community colleges can have,” said SIC President Dr. Karen Weiss. “His compassion, innovation, and lifelong commitment to service are an inspiration to our entire community. We are honored to call him one of our own.”
The Distinguished Alumnus Award is the highest honor given by Southeastern Illinois College to a former student who has demonstrated exceptional achievement in their field and a legacy of service.
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