Vital Impressions
The service impact of a major university can be difficult to quantify because the real significance on the 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 founding, Midwestern has made it a priority to help those in the community. “At Midwestern, service is not an elective course, but rather an integral part of the educational experience shared by students, faculty, and staff,” says Kathleen H. Goeppinger, Ph.D., President and CEO 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, including health fairs, a health lecture series, health awareness seminars in schools, medical care for the homeless, and physicals for high school athletes.
Despite their rigorous academic schedules, Midwestern students find time to donate thousands of hours to a wide range of service projects at agencies such as:
- American Diabetes Association
- American Red Cross
- Arizona Literacy and Learning Center
- Banner Thunderbird Medical Center
- Brain Injury Association of Arizona
- Desert Mission Food Bank
- Foundation for Blind Children
- Growth Improvement for Female Teens (GIFT)
- Habitat for Humanity of the West Valley
- HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center
- Maricopa Integrated Health Systems
- Ronald McDonald House
- St. Vincent de Paul
- UMOM New Day Centers
In addition, the following longstanding service projects reflect just some of the ways Midwestern students, faculty, and staff give back to the community every year:
Guatemala Mission: 50-100 volunteers; 4,000-6,000 served
American Diabetes Expo/Forum: 100 volunteers; 4,000-6,000 served
Team of Physicians for Students (TOPS) Physicals: 400 volunteers; 2,500-3,000 served
Cuts for Kids (donating hair for children with medical hair loss): 150 volunteers; $2,000 raised; 1,800 inches of hair donated
Super Sealant Saturday (free dental screenings, cleanings, and sealants for local kids): 100 volunteers, 200-300 children served