Vital Impressions

The service impact of a major university can be difficult to measure because the real significance to the surrounding community is so great. At Midwestern University, improving the lives and health of others through service has always been a vital piece of the campus philosophy. Since its early beginnings more than 100 years ago, MWU has made it a priority to help those in our community. “At Midwestern, service is not an elective course, but rather an integral part of the educational experience shared by students, faculty, and staff,” said Kathleen H. Goeppinger, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Midwestern University.

“Service to others is not considered secondary to our mission of educating outstanding healthcare professionals, but rather it is a key component of a student’s academic preparation.”

Midwestern sponsors countless community service projects throughout the year, health fairs, health lectures series, health awareness seminars in schools, medical care for homeless, and physicals for high school athletes.

Despite their rigorous academic schedule, MWU students find the time to donate thousands of hours to a wide range of service projects. During the last academic year, students on both campuses volunteered at agencies such as:

• Advocate Hospice
• Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital
• American Cancer Society
• American Diabetes Association
• DuPage County Health
• Literacy DuPage
• People’s Resource Center
• REST Clinic
• Salvation Army
• Autism Society of Illinois
• Indian Boundary YMCA
• West Suburban Humane Society

In addition, the following longstanding service projects reflect just some of the ways MWU students, faculty and staff give back to the community every year:

Guatemala Mission, 50-100 volunteers 2,000-4,000 served

Community Health Fair, 150 volunteers, 200 served

Halloween Fest (safe trick or treating), 150 volunteers, 500-700 attendees

Easter Fest, 75 volunteers, 300-500 served

Seaspar Dance, 75 volunteers, 100 served

Breakfast with Santa for underprivileged students, 60 volunteers, 130 served Snow Day, 50 volunteers, 150-200 served

Reading Rockstars, 50 volunteers, 50-100 served