Dr. Erika L. Hunter serves as chief of Pediatrics at Pekin Hospital and on the hospital’s Medical Executive Committee. She is a ProHealth physician who cares for neonatal to adult patients, and has been instrumental in the well-being of children in the Pekin, Manito, Peoria and surrounding communities through her work at Pekin Hospital and her office practice.

Nominated to be chief resident while at Rush-Presbyterian School of Medicine, Dr. Hunter was voted by her students as an outstanding teacher. She received this same honor while teaching in the physician assistant program at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where she was also chief of the Pediatric Department. While stationed there, she became a major in the Army, working to promote the health and welfare of young soldiers and their families, and developed a comprehensive video on the smallpox vaccine, which is still widely used throughout the Army.

Dr. Hunter received the 2006 People Pillar Award from Pekin Hospital for her work in building an outstanding medical practice, and was nominated for the YWCA’s Professional Award. She is a liaison for the Department of Children and Family Services, and volunteers her time to consult with families in need of help.

In addition to medical activities, Dr. Hunter is the superintendent of the United Methodist Sunday School program and has given presentations at local high schools’ career days. She volunteers with various other organizations throughout the community, such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Tazewell County Board of Health. She is a member of the Hill Palmer American Legion in Manito and has been a little league and biddy basketball coach, sponsored through the Rotary in Manito.

Hunter knew from an early age that she wanted to be a physician and has worked tirelessly to be one of the forerunners in her field. Her compassion for her patients has even driven her to make house calls to some of her extremely ill patients. iBi