Celebrating a New Academic Year and Welcoming New Health Sciences Students
Article part 1 Heading link
On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs held its annual welcome event for new and returning students with a robust and exciting turnout. Thirteen UIC programs participated as exhibitors, speaking with the nearly 300 students attending about their services and opportunities. They also brought plenty of merch which students grabbed up enthusiastically. Under a beautiful sunny sky, the event featured a DJ, tamales, baos, beverages and other treats and games across the grassy lawn of the Medical Sciences Courtyard.
Among the UIC exhibitor were Kathleen Kashima, senior associate dean of students in the College of Medicine along with Michele Rodriguez Taylor, assistant director of internship programs & employer outreach in the School of Public Health, who hosted a table on behalf of the Health Science Colleges Student Mental Health Committee. “It was a beautiful, sunny day in the courtyard which was ideal for talking with health science college students about our programs for mental health and well-being,” adding, “we were excited to recruit students to join the Student Advisory Council for the Health Science Colleges Student Mental Health Committee.”
Darryl Pendleton, executive director of the Urban Health Program noted that, “every year, the Urban Health Program looks forward to participating in the UI Health welcome event for students, and this year’s event was one of the best. The event provides us and other units with an opportunity to inform students of the numerous comprehensive resources and services available to them on campus. Having great weather and tasty food options made the day especially memorable.”
Article part 2 Heading link
Adriana Black, director of health affairs diversity, equity and inclusion and founding director of the Odehmenan Health Equity Center (Odeh Center) also had a table where the Odeh Center team enjoyed meeting and engaging with our health sciences students. As the Odeh Center’s first anniversary was coming up on September 13, they celebrated by creating and sharing free merchandise at the event while introducing their mission and programming to our health science students. Black shared that “they were thrilled to have so many new UIC and UI Health students register for our newsletter, and we’re eager to continue welcoming more new supporters at our upcoming Odeh Center events.”
In a positive follow up from Liz Bosarge, Zero Waste Program director in the Office for Planning, Sustainability, and Project Management, organizers of the student welcome were congratulated for placing a high priority on sustainability. According to Ms. Bosarge, UI Health continues to set a green high bar for the rest of the campus.
As the semester got under way, another important annual tradition for our health science students were White Coat Ceremonies. This year, the College of Medicine held its ceremony on August 16, College of Dentistry on September 6 and College of Pharmacy on September 20. These ceremonies serve to launch the journeys that our health science students will take in pursuit of the healthcare professional disciplines they have chosen. The tradition of the white coat ceremony signifies a change in their role during their training, as it reflects a promise to uphold professionalism and integrity as they turn to clinical training.
The semester began as they always do, with a mix of activities to bring our community of students, faculty and staff together, as everyone settles into their busy schedules focused on the important work of teaching, research and care provided to the students and patients we serve.
