May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and as we near the end of the month, it is an important time to reflect on the essential role that mental well-being plays — not only in the lives and health of our patients, but also within ourselves and our teams. Mental health impacts every corner of our professional and personal lives. Cultivating an environment where all feel safe, supported, and have the confidence to seek help when needed is vital to our collective success.
In the fast-paced and highly demanding environment of our clinical, research, and administrative duties, signs of distress can often be overlooked. This makes it more critical to pause, notice, and respond—with empathy and intention—to the signs of distress in ourselves and in one another. Dr. Singh, in her column last week, and Dr. Harris, in the medical school commencement speech, both spoke about the importance and the power of connections. Dr. Harris stated, “This is what I mean when I talk about connections, opening yourself to others, supporting others…” By showing genuine care, creating spaces where we can share, and listen to one another without judgement, we are fostering those connections. These connections don’t only add so much joy and meaning to our lives; they can also be lifesaving for someone during a time of struggle.
Let’s reinforce that sometimes “it’s okay not to be okay”, and that support is not only available but encouraged. Let’s have the information for the available resources including the Employee Assistance Program, and the UI Support and Crisis Line handy to share or with others or for us to reach out to, in times of acute need.
As we step into June, we can carry this spirit of compassion forward, with meaningful opportunities to honor the diverse experiences and histories that shape our community. Pride Month serves as a reminder of the importance of creating environments where everyone feels respected and valued, regardless of their background or identity. Similarly, Juneteenth offers a moment to reflect on the journey towards freedom and equal opportunities for all. By recognizing this historical context, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting a workplace culture rooted in empathy, respect, and understanding. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to providing exceptional care for our patients, let’s commit to also caring for ourselves and others in our teams.
Iowa City Free Medical Clinic “Medicine Mondays”
Calling all faculty volunteers to staff evening clinics at the Iowa City Free Medical Clinic! Starting in the fall, UI Health Care will be collaborating with the Iowa City Free Medical and Dental Clinic to provide acute and chronic disease management to their patients. Some general Internal Medicine faculty will be rotating every month, and they would love to have more IM faculty join to have a partner in each of the clinics. If you are interested, please reach out to jeydith-gutierrez@uiowa.edu
SAVE THE DATE: Culturally Responsive Health Care in Iowa conference
The conference, focused on cancer care, 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. The IM Engagement and Belonging committee will be hosting a “mocktail” table during lunch hour at the MERF atrium to raise awareness about alcohol use and cancer risk. Stop by for a sample!
Free Fun: Iowa City Events and Activities for Summer 2025
Find fun and free ways to explore Iowa City and build community this summer! “From festivals and farmers markets to music and movies, this season is packed with easily accessible arts, culture, and outdoor entertainment.” Great for families, students, children, and anyone new to Iowa City! Check out the Iowa Magazine collection of summer fun and plan a great day!
Check out Science Thursdays: Food, Music, and More!
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 and 1:00PM on Thursdays for food trucks, music, and fun science activities!
ICEP Special Seminar on Determinants of Health: Indigenous Determinants of Health
ICEP Special Seminar on Determinants of Health: Indigenous Determinants of Health Presented by the ICEP Consortium of Students as Stakeholders for Determinants of Health and the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, learn more about healthcare access challenges in Alaska in this fascinating workshop. Participation is open to all students, including high school students, who are interested in medicine and health; participants will receive a workshop completion certification.
Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfzAKnN5hubcUD0aYiA_fMwbecISuCvvk80Q6JxfpfenzOErg/viewform
May & June celebrations, holidays, and awareness days
May
- Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
- Jewish American Heritage Month
- Mental Health Awareness Month
- Older Americans Month
- Celiac Disease Awareness Month
- May 1: Beltane (Pagan)
- May 5: Cinco de Mayo
- May 6: National Nurse’s Day
- May 15: Global Accessibility Awareness Day
- May 17: International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia
- May 21: World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
- May 26: Memorial Day
- May 29: Ascension Day (Christian)
June
- Caribbean-American Heritage Month
- National Migraine & Headache Awareness Month
- Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month
- National Safety Month
- Pride Month
- June 1-3*: Shavuot (Jewish)
- June 4-9*: The Hajj (Islamic)
- June 5-9*: Eid-al-Adha (Islamic)
- June 14: World Blood Donor Day
- June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day
- June 21: Litha (Pagan)
- June 27: Feast of the Sacred Heart (Roman Catholic)
Note: This is not an exhaustive list of cultural events and holidays celebrated in this month