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.