FALL 2023
Thank you to our 32,000 Midwestern University alumni for leading the way in healthcare.
Dear Fellow MWU Alumni,
I hope this message finds you all in good health and high spirits. As the President of the MWU Alumni Senate and a proud graduate of the College of Pharmacy, Glendale, it is both an honor and a pleasure to welcome you to the latest edition of the Alumni Pulse newsletter.
The theme of this issue is focused on mentoring. Reflecting on my own journey through Midwestern University, I am reminded of the vital role mentors played in shaping my education and career. These dedicated individuals provided guidance, inspiration, and unwavering support during my years at MWU, instilling in me the values of excellence and compassion that continue to drive my professional life. Mentors continue to play a vital role in my life even today both as a mentee and a mentor. I can honestly say that I would not be where I am today in my professional career without the incredible mentors in my past and present.
It is heartwarming to know that this tradition of mentorship remains a cornerstone of the MWU experience. In this newsletter, you will learn about numerous mentoring programs on both campuses. It is inspiring to know that these programs play pivotal roles in the lives of MWU students. These programs highlight the enduring impact of mentorship within our MWU community.
I encourage you to take a moment to peruse the Alumni Pulse newsletter and stay connected with our vibrant MWU community. Our shared journey through Midwestern University has been a formative chapter in each of our lives, and I am confident that the bonds we forged here will continue to inspire and support us in the years to come.
Thank you for your continued commitment to MWU, and I look forward to the exciting future we will create together.
Warm regards,
Dr. Joy Reese
President, MWU Alumni Senate
College of Pharmacy, Glendale Class of 2006
“The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image, but giving them the opportunity to create themselves.” — Steven Spielberg
Midwestern Mentoring Programs Strengthen University Community
Mentoring is a cornerstone in higher education, propelling students and alumni toward growth and success. Beyond conventional classroom and professional settings, experienced faculty and peer mentors guide individuals through academic pursuits, career decisions, and personal growth. For students, this personalized support helps bolster them with essential skills, empowering them to set goals and make informed decisions. For alumni, peer mentors provide a lifelong resource for navigating professional challenges and transitions. Ultimately, mentoring cultivates a legacy of continuous learning and growth, empowering students and alumni alike to excel and contribute meaningfully to their fields.
Mentoring is a critical element in creating a profound sense of belonging and fellowship, fostering engagement and resilience in our Midwestern community. Each of the University’s Colleges and Programs, as well as the Office of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR), offers mentoring events and resources to help our students and alumni excel. Below is a small sample of our mentoring outreach:
Dr. Megan Eikenberry, Dr. Suzanne O’Neal, and Dr. Mia Erickson of the College of Health Sciences, Glendale Campus, Physical Therapy Program, and Amy Woodbeck of Student Services, Glendale Campus, created and implemented an alumni/student mentoring program called AMPED (Alumni Mentorship for Professional and Educational Development) in which MWU D.P.T. alumni who were first-generation college students mentor current D.P.T. students who are first-generation college students. A similar pilot initiative sponsored by the Downers Grove Campus Office of Student Services for first-generation students on that campus launched in September.
The Office of Student Services on the Glendale Campus hosts a weekly group called the Resiliency Forum, which is open to all Midwestern University students as an opportunity to share their life experiences and be there for each other as peers.
DAR and the College of Pharmacy, Glendale Campus, collaborate to host an annual ice cream social with alumni and new students, as well as presenting an annual mentoring event on campus for all CPG students with alumni.
The College of Dental Medicine-Arizona hosts an alumni/student mentoring session each year during which alumni provide insight into their own experiences, provide guidance and direction, and offer networking for alumni and students.
The Arizona College of Optometry alumni attend an annual mentoring event to provided guidance to students on how to study for the board exams; DAR hosts an annual College of Pharmacy, Downers Grove Campus, alumni/student mentoring breakfast; and the annual Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine alumni/student mentoring panel. In late September, the Office of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) in collaboration with the Officer of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion hosted the annual MWU Alumni Diversity Council Mentoring and Day of Service on the Illinois campus.
In September, DAR sponsored a MWU Alumni Diversity Council Mentoring and Service Day.
If you have suggestions or ideas for student or alumni mentoring events or initiatives, please contact the Office of Development and Alumni Relations.
From High School to Med School: How Mentorship Becomes a Positive Cycle for Future Healthcare Providers
Inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals has always been a core tenet at Midwestern University. On both the Glendale and Downers Grove Campuses, MWU students have many opportunities to get involved in this important area of service. One such opportunity is the Health Careers Institute for high school students, an intensive hands-on summer program that originated on the Glendale Campus and has now expanded to Downers Grove, designed to expose high school students to various careers in healthcare.
Azaan Khan (CCOM ’26) was one of the eight MWU student mentors who volunteered to mentor the first cohort of high school students at this year’s inaugural Health Careers Institute on the Downers Grove Campus. “I remember the kind of excitement and inspiration I felt at that age when I learned something new about the human body, or how the future of medicine could change how I live my life. Seeing that in the kids felt nostalgic, and I imagine it will impact their future by inspiring them to pursue a healthcare career with passion as well,” he said.
The Health Careers Institute celebrated its 25th annual event in Glendale this year, and the longevity of the program in Arizona means that some previous HCI attendees have come full circle and are now mentoring high schoolers as graduate healthcare students.
“I chose to become a student mentor for the Health Careers Institute after having the very fortunate opportunity to attend this program when I was in high school. I remember how encouraging and inspiring my mentors were, and I wanted to play that role for someone else,” says Abigail Bhogal (AZCOM ’26). “Seeing the students’ eyes light up in excitement over ultrasound and watching them take a patient history brought me so much joy, and it’s my hope that they left the program encouraged that their passions are within reach, and that they can make a real difference in the community by pursuing a career in medicine.”
For more information or to receive an application for a high school student you know who’s interested in attending HCI, please contact:
For Illinois HCI: Abena Patton, Manager of Special Events, apatto@midwestern.edu
For Arizona HCI: Karen Mattox, Assistant Director, Office of Communications, kmatto@midwestern.edu
Promoting Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity in Academics
In 2023, a new Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity in Academics (IDEA) four-part certificate program was introduced on both Midwestern University campuses and was made available to all faculty and staff via application. The course included timely conversations and workshops led by subject-matter experts, with the goal of evaluating and enhancing participants’ knowledge and skills around diversity, equity, and inclusive practices in daily campus interactions and in the classroom.
Midwestern University’s Middle Eastern Pharmacists Association Marks 10 Years of Service to Community
Since its establishment in 2013, the Middle Eastern Pharmacists Association (MePA) on the Downers Grove Campus of Midwestern University has made a significant impact on the community. More than 400 students have volunteered their services, conducting free community health screenings and organizing educational events, benefiting nearly 1,200 patients.
College of Pharmacy, Glendale Hosts Inaugural Pediatric Professional Panel
Earlier this year, the College of Pharmacy, Glendale hosted the Inaugural Pediatric Professional Panel. This event brought together students and faculty experts from the Pharmacy, Podiatry, Speech-Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Dental, Osteopathic Medicine, and Optometry Programs. More than 100 students and faculty attended the event, which was organized and run by students who wanted to learn how to better serve their future pediatric patients.
First-Generation Stories Shared by Midwestern University Community
Midwestern University faculty, staff, and students recently held a panel discussion about the challenges and rewards of being first-generation college graduates pursuing higher education.
Empowering the Next Generation of Female Healthcare Providers
In early November, MWU student mentors and faculty from the Midwestern University Women in Medicine and Science (WIMS) Mentorship Program invited undergraduate mentees to the Glendale Campus for the fall kick-off event. Mentees from ASU, GCU, Estrella Mountain Community College, and the Maricopa Community Colleges had an opportunity to participate in a campus tour provided by Admissions, were paired with their MWU student mentor, and attended a panel of MWU women faculty members who shared their own stories and advice. This is our second year of the program and our third on-campus activity as part of the new WIMS program that started in October 2022.
CDMI and CHS collaborate on Hand Joint Hypermobility Study
Faculty and students from the College of Dental Medicine – Illinois (CDMI) and the Occupational Therapy Program in the College of Health Sciences (CHS) in Downers Grove have partnered in an ongoing research project to investigate hypermobility among first-year dental students.
AZCOM Students Inspire the Next Generation of Healthcare Professionals with Hands-On Ultrasound Workshop
This summer, a group of Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM) students volunteered to instruct high school students on how to use an ultrasound machine in modern diagnoses and anatomy. The visiting students were participants in Med-Start, a six-week summer program through the University of Arizona that provides exposure to the possibilities of a career in healthcare.