Year in Review: NUHS’ Top 5 news stories

Thursday, December 31, 2020

This year, National University faced a pandemic that required students, faculty and staff to adapt to new learning and work practices like virtual learning, social distancing and telemedicine.

Despite those challenges, the accomplishments of students and faculty did not fall short. Throughout the year, the NUHS community made efforts advancing the field of complementary and alternative medicine and raising awareness of important social issues.

Now that the year is coming to a close, revisit some of the top news at National University. Stories are listed by date.

1. NUHS Unveils New Fitness Center

February 19, 2020

National University hosted the grand opening of a new fitness center in the Student Center last month. Over 150 students, faculty, and staff attended the much anticipated unveiling.

"We are thrilled that this day has arrived," NUHS President Dr. Joseph Stiefel said. In his opening remarks, he expressed gratitude to the alumni for their contributions and support to make the facility a reality.

The project involved the complete renovation and expansion of the previous fitness center along with the addition of state-of-the-art fitness equipment. Student feedback gathered during several planning sessions and various campus-wide surveys helped shape a large portion of the plans. Meeting the needs of students living on campus in residential housing was also a driving force in the design and development of the facility.

2. NUHS DC student Rameda Lee awarded Schweitzer Fellowship

May 14, 2020

Rameda Lee, an NUHS chiropractic student, was recently awarded the prestigious Albert Schweitzer Fellowship for her proposal of a stewardship themed, bi-monthly seminar focusing on caring for one's body as the first possession ever received.

"I was both very excited and very humbled," Lee said.

The Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellows Program is a one-year interdisciplinary, mentored fellowship program that fosters the leadership abilities of aspiring health professionals who design and implement projects to improve the health and well-being of underserved Chicago communities. As part of a competitive application process, only about 30 students are chosen to become fellows for the program each year.

Lee is the second chiropractic student to be awarded the scholarship after NUHS faculty member Dana Madigan, DC, MPH, who was also an NUHS student at the time in 2012. Lee expressed gratitude to faculty member Nakiesha Pearson, DC, ND, MS, for introducing her to the fellowship opportunity and Dr. Madigan for mentoring her through the application process.

3. NUHS offers Advanced Scholar Program to St. Petersburg College students

May 29, 2020

National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) has partnered with St. Petersburg College (SPC) to allow students to complete both a bachelor of science degree in biology and doctor of chiropractic (DC) degree in less time.

The Advanced Scholar Program is a joint recruitment and dual admission effort that creates a coordinated curriculum specifically for exceptional students who maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher at SPC.

"National University of Health Sciences and St. Petersburg College have enjoyed an exceptional relationship for many years," said NUHS President Joseph Stiefel, MS, EdD, DC. "We have found yet another way to work together for the benefit of our students and our community. Collaboration is the cornerstone to our success and I look forward to much more with SPC."

4. National University community participates in demonstration for Black lives

June 22, 2020

The National University community took a stand against social injustice as part of a Black Lives Matter demonstration on campus.

Donning their white coats, about 75 students across various NUHS programs demonstrated in front of campus near Roosevelt Road, holding signs in support of justice and equality for Black lives. Faculty members and staff also participated. In response to COVID-19 and in order to protect each other, protestors wore masks.

The demonstration was kickstarted by Janice Jorges, a past Chicago Naturopathic Medicine Student Association Chapter President. In light of recent events involving social injustice, National University released a response supporting change against racism and social justice. BNMSA also organized counseling sessions with Cynthia Taylor, PhD, LPC, specifically for BNMSA members and for the general university community via Zoom.

5. ND interns thriving with new virtual formats for Grand Rounds and patient visits during COVID-19

July 27, 2020

In response to COVID-19 restrictions, National University's naturopathic medicine program has found multiple ways to ensure student safety and continued learning. Once held in the Whole Health Center clinic, Grand Rounds presentations are now being conducted in a virtual format via Zoom meetings. For many students, this new format is not only safer, but more convenient.

Grand Rounds feature presentations by interns, faculty or guest speakers that explore a clinical question and focus on direct application of research information to patient care. The sessions are open to NUHS students in other specialties including chiropractic, acupuncture and oriental medicine programs so they may learn about naturopathic perspectives on patient care.

According to Amanda Bose, DC, ND, NUHS Chief Clinician of Naturopathic Medicine, the new virtual format has led to more attendance due to increased accessibility. As a result, there are plans to continue the same format into the future.