Colleagues,
As we step into another month filled with opportunities to make a meaningful impact, I am thrilled to share the latest updates from our Engagement and Belonging Committee. Our commitment to reaching beyond the walls of our hospital and meeting our communities where they are is stronger than ever. We believe that building trusting relationships is key to promoting and achieving health for all, especially with the most vulnerable populations. This month, we are excited to announce our partnership with UI Addiction and Recovery Collaborative and Community and Family Resources for an impactful event on August 28th at FilmScene screening Recovery Boys, which will be followed by a panel in which faculty members Dr. Andrea Weber and Dr. Poorani Sekar will take part on a discussion on addiction. We invite you all to reserve your FREE tickets HERE and join us for this conversation to address an important health challenge in our community. Refreshments will be provided. We are excited for this opportunity to highlight Overdose Awareness Day on August 31 as we prepare for additional events in September to celebrate Recovery Month.
In addition to this significant event, August brings many opportunities to connect with the vibrant Iowa spirit. Whether you’re exploring the iconic Iowa State Fair— which was included in the New York Times best-seller by Patricia Schultz as one of the “1000 Places to See Before You Die“—or enjoying the music and flavors at the Iowa City Latino Fest, there’s no shortage of ways to engage with our community. We are grateful to be part of such a wonderful and diverse community, and we encourage you to take part in these events and share your experiences. If you have ideas for future community engagement initiatives, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are eager to hear from you and continue building bridges that promote health and well-being for all.
Drop in at Dr. Gutierrez’s office at SE 628 GH, join via Zoom, or make an appointment between 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. on the fourth Friday of each month. The next session will be on August 23.
This is an opportunity to bring up any issues or concerns in a confidential manner, or share your ideas on how the department can help you thrive. We want to hear from you!
Our Engagement and Belonging committee is collaborating with the Iowa ARC and Community and Family Resources to host a panel discussion on addiction, following a free viewing of the documentary, Recovery Boys. Registration is encouraged. (Click on the blue “7:00 pm” button to reserve your ticket.)
The internationally acclaimed Iowa State Fair is the single largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. Annually attracting more than a million people from all over the world, the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines is Iowa’s great celebration, a salute to the state’s best in agriculture, industry, entertainment and achievement.
The Building University of Iowa Leadership for Diversity (BUILD) initiative is an opportunity for faculty, staff, and graduate students to gain knowledge to contribute to a welcoming environment for all. The six-week UI Health Care BUILD program will begin Wednesday, Sept. 11. Enrollment is open through 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 4, for all faculty and staff.
On Tuesday, Sept. 17, join the Zoom meeting via the link in the headline, or join the discussion in person in conference room GH 316 (Marcus) from 12:00-1:00 p.m. CST. This event is open to all.
Zoom link: https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/97434899815?pwd=6IgcRfzgqx9DRFVvn3PrKV39JfCOih.1
Passcode: 270376
The One Iowa Midwest LGBTQ Health and Wellness Conference is dedicated to the holistic health of LGBTQ individuals in the Midwest. This inclusive event welcomes all those involved in LGBTQ health, including healthcare professionals, mental health practitioners, and healthcare support staff. Physicians, therapists, social workers, dentists, physical therapists, community health workers, and medical students are all invited to participate.
The 2024 conference will be held in person on Monday, Sept. 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott in University Heights, Iowa City. Register by clicking the link in the headline.
On Friday, Oct. 4, from 1:30-3:00 p.m. in UCC 17, students and their faculty mentors will present their work in the global health realm and will discuss their working collaboration and research focus.
Find all UI Health Care Community Outreach events, engagement interest surveys, and any Community Outreach-specific info you may need! (Login to The Loop required.)
Data from the Personal Health Assessment (PHA) contributed to the expansion of the University of Iowa Support and Crisis Line.
August events, celebrations, and holidays
- National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM): An annual observance that highlights the importance of vaccines for people of all ages.
- Appendix Cancer Awareness Month: An awareness month that uses an amber ribbon as a symbol of support for those battling appendix cancer.
- Summer Sun Safety Month: A time to raise awareness of how to protect your skin from too much sun exposure while enjoying the outdoors.
- Back to School Month: Celebrated since the 1960s, Back to School Month will motivate you to start your back-to-school shopping and get you excited overall.
- August 1: Lughnasadh: This Gaelic festival and Irish holiday honors the first day of the harvest season. It occurs on the halfway point between the summer solstice and the fall equinox.
- August 13*: Tisha B’Av: This Jewish holiday is an annual fast day that remembers Jewish history and the destruction of Solomon’s Temple and the Second Temple.
- August 15: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: This Catholic holy day celebrates the day Mary’s body and soul ascended into heaven. Also known as Feast of the Assumption.
- August 25*: Arbaeen: This day marks the end of the 40-day mourning period after Ashura for Shia Muslims. It marks the day that God delivered Israelites from the Egyptian Pharaoh by parting the Red Sea where they could safely cross.
- August 26: Krishna Janmashtami: This annual Hindu festival celebrates Krishna, a supreme God in the faith. This celebration includes the reading of religious texts, reenactments of his life, and dance. It is celebrated primarily in India.
- August 26: Women’s Equality Day: Celebrated in the United States on August 26 to commemorate the 1920 adoption of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which prohibits the states and the federal government from denying the right to vote to citizens of the United States on the basis of sex.
- August 30: Overdose Awareness Day: This year, with the theme #TogetherWeCan, this day highlights the strength of coming together and standing in support of those connected to the tragedy of overdose.
Note: All holidays marked with * begin the prior evening. This is not an exhaustive list of cultural events and holidays celebrated in this month.