April greets us with blooming flowers, warmer days, and the gentle certainty that spring has arrived. In nature’s transformation, we find an invitation to renew our spirits, to welcome change with grace, and to move forward with fresh energy and purpose.
It is beautifully fitting that April is also the National Month of Hope. Founded by Mothers In Crisis, this observance was created to inspire individuals and communities to embrace hope as a vital, daily practice. This group, which started their work with communities fighting addiction, reminds us of the powerful effect that hope plays in healing. Hope, after all, is not just a feeling. It is a force that empowers us to persevere, to rise after setbacks, and to believe in better days ahead.
The word “hope” has deep roots. In Old English, hopa spoke of a confident expectation in the future. In Greek, the word for hope, ἐλπίς (elpis), is seen as life-giving and essential to the soul, as oxygen is to the body. As such in our role as healers, hope is often what we offer our patients not just through treatment, but through presence, compassion, and unwavering care. It is a cornerstone of recovery, resilience, and renewal.
As we navigate changes in our own lives, the department and the healthcare landscape, I’m hopeful for the future. I’m hopeful for the new Hospital Medicine division, and humbled by the opportunity to take on that new role. I am inspired by my colleagues going above and beyond delivering excellent patient as noted in the honor roll, by the initiatives that our Engagement and Belonging committee is working on, including hosting a “Mocktail” station at the Culturally Responsive healthcare conference to raise awareness about alcohol use, and by the students, who took the initiative to bring Across the Aisle to the Carver College of Medicine hosting a student-led discussion about the difficult topic of Medical Aid in Dying.
During this month, let’s remember the words of Nelson Mandela: “May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” Together, we can cultivate a culture where we can respect and celebrate our differences, encouraging healing and hope that extends beyond the hospital walls.
Science Thursdays returned to UI Health Care April 3
Science Thursdays are back! From April to October, visit the courtyard between the Medical Education Research Facility (MERF), Eckstein Medical Research Building (EMRB), Bowen Science Building (BSB), and the Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building (PBDB) between 11:00AM to 1:00PM on Thursdays for food trucks, music, and fun science activities!
SAVE THE DATE: Culturally Responsive Health Care in Iowa conference
The conference – entitled “Global is Local, Focusing the Lens on Cancer” – will take place on Thurs., June 5, 2025, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. in MERF 1110 featuring keynotes Patrick Loehrer, MD, from Indiana University, and Natoshia Askelson, MPH, PhD, from the University of Iowa. UI Health Care attendants will have a “mocktail” table, including literature about links between alcohol and common health issues. Stop by for a sample!
AAMC Webinars and Online Courses
The CARE-AI Study: Creating Accountable and Responsible Ethics for Artificial Intelligence for Healthcare live web event will take place on April 16. Register to hear from expert speakers, explore the current framework for working ethically alongside AI, and engage in applied case discussions to practice thoughtful decision-making in AI.
Iowa City Free Medical Clinic Annual Spring Event
Join us Wednesday, May 7, to celebrate the season with the FMC Annual Spring Event at The Kirkwood Room. Enjoy a lovely evening of community, food, and fun! More details to come.
Restorative community building practices training
Restorative community-building practices are a set of skills and tools that can be used for conflict resolution. This year’s training will be scheduled for April 24 and 25, will be CME accredited, and is sponsored by the CCOM Program for Access and Engagement. Learn from Ada Gregory, MA, about foundational restorative community-building practices and conflict resolution.
April is Alcohol Awareness Month
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and being informed about alcohol use and its effects can save lives. Watch last year’s video or read Making the Round’s article below to learn more from UI staff and faculty about health implications, positive habit building, and more.
DocDash 2025
Doc Dash is an annual 5K race that has been a tradition of the Carver College of Medicine since 1989. The event welcomes seasoned runners, but also joggers, walkers, and young children. Recently, Doc Dash has begun partnering with PT students to support adaptive participants who may use equipment or require assistance to complete the course. Proceeds are donated to the Iowa City Free Medical and Dental Clinic and the University of Iowa Mobile Clinic.
April celebrations, holidays, and awareness days
- Alcohol Awareness Month
- National Month of Hope
- National Arab American Heritage Month
- International Celebrating Diversity Month
- Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Month
- UI Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
- Earth Month
- April 2: World Autism Acceptance Day
- April 7: World Health Day
- April 9: International Day of Pink
- April 12* – 20: Passover (Judaism)
- April 20* – May 2: Ridvan (Bahá’í)
- April 20: Easter Sunday
- April 22: Earth Day
- April 24: International Girls in ICT Day
Note: This is not an exhaustive list of cultural events and holidays celebrated in this month.