Annual Organization Fair Offers Additional Opportunities for Students
Students have the chance to volunteer, explore causes, and share their cultures
- AZ - Glendale
- IL - Downers Grove
Midwestern University held its annual Student Involvement Fair on the Downers Grove and Glendale campuses.
The Student Involvement Fair informs students about a variety of opportunities for them to participate in clubs for volunteer work, gain information about a variety of causes, or celebrate the diverse cultures at Midwestern University. At the fair, students met with campus organizations and departments, local agencies, and community service organizations on both the Downers Grove and Glendale campuses.
The fair aligns with one of Midwestern University’s central values of service to the community. Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM) student and president of the Underserved Medicine Club Grace Maloney (CCOM ’27) said that last year they worked with ShowerUp, a nonprofit organization that provides several services to the homeless community, including mobile showers. This year, the Underserved Medicine Club hopes to work with Chicago Street Medicine, an interdisciplinary organization comprised of medical student volunteers to aid the homeless community. Grace described how these experiences will assist her goals. “I want to work with the inner-city populations 100 percent in the future,” she emphasized.
Medical student and president of the Midwestern University chapter of Students for a National Health Program Brittany Taylor (CCOM ’26) stated they advocate for affordability and accessibility to healthcare. “Healthcare is a human right, and we want to make sure our future patients can access healthcare and make healthcare more accessible and affordable for all individuals. We as students can make our voices heard.” She shared she would be attending a Students for a National Health Program summit in November.
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM) student and secretary of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) Vanessa Villacarte (AZCOM ’27) stated, “Our club gives students the opportunity to understand their peers and their communities on a deeper level. As future healthcare professionals, we have an obligation to pursue healthcare that is both culturally competent and equal for people from all backgrounds, and our club will help us work towards achieving that goal.” The club plans to host community outreach opportunities, guest speakers on a variety of topics, and interdisciplinary collaboration with other clubs.
Medical student and vice-president of the One Health Club Marit Lyon (CCOM ’27) discussed, “It’s important to consider the environmental health and well-being of patients and animals. Understanding how environmental and animal health impact human health will help us figure out how to best treat our patients,” Marit emphasized. She added that they also participate in river clean up and that the club has a long-term plan of adopting part of a river.
Echoing this sentiment, medical student Siana Olivas (AZCOM ’27) and president of the Students for One Health Club said the club offers volunteering and speaker events focused on the One Health concept. “Volunteering is important because it allows Midwestern students to actively apply the ideas of One Health. Our volunteering events bring Midwestern students together to do collaborative work that benefits our community,” Siana shared.
Another interdisciplinary organization on campus is the Precision Medicine Club. Medical student and club president Caitlin Hall (CCOM ’27) said, “Our goal is to improve awareness about precision medicine on campus.” Pharmacy student and club treasurer Smriti Marwaha (CPDG ’26) mentioned that the club is planning events with guest speakers examining the field of precision medicine, such as incorporating genetics into medical treatment. “Anyone and everyone can choose a career in precision medicine,” Smriti discussed. Pharmacy student Kelly Minuskin (CPDG ’26), club secretary shared, “The club is a good way to get acquainted with precision medicine.” While optometry student and club vice-president Victoria Marshall (CCO ’27) stated that precision medicine examines, “the right treatment for the right person right now.”
The Midwestern University community also values the opportunity to share their cultures with others and invites others to learn more about cultural diversity and appreciation.
Pharmacy student and treasurer of the Black Student Alliance, Talynn Glenn (CPDG ’26), said, “This is open to everyone. We’re making sure our presence is heard on campus. You learn a lot that you wouldn’t learn about different people, backgrounds, and how to be a diverse person.” Pharmacy student and president Timothy Ndunda (CPDG ’26) shared that some of their events include Kwanzaa and Black History Month.
Medical student and vice-president of the Arab Student Union Reem Odeh (CCOM ’27) shared, “A large group of Arab students are here. In the club, we not only share our culture with others here, but strengthen the support with each other.” The Arab Student Union is also involved with community service such as community health screenings. Reem added that it is important to have clinical experience early in the program. “Volunteering is a way to ensure that you’re passionate about what you’re doing and ensure you are giving back,” Reem emphasized.
Dental student and president of the MWU Greek Club Argie Limberis (CDMI ’26) described that they have different cultural events including Greek dancing, sharing traditional dishes in the Taste of Midwestern, and teaching Greek phrases. “We’re in healthcare and a lot of the words are Greek or have a Greek basis. It helps us with pharmacology and anatomy, and everyone speaks Greek without knowing it,” Argie said. She also discussed the importance of cultural clubs on campus. “It teaches empathy and in a multidisciplinary environment that’s helpful.”
The annual organization fair is a chance for students to enhance their classroom experience with opportunities to volunteer, learn more about causes, and experience and share cultural organizations.
