While nutrition is especially important for those facing health challenges, many in our communities struggle to access healthy food. Students from across the medical center have stepped up to help by volunteering at Food & Friends, a community-based organization that provides medically-tailored meals, and by leading a nutrition education project for families.

Medical students have led active bystander training programs educating members of the community, including congressional staffers on Capitol Hill, on how to recognize opioid overdose and safely intervene using naloxone.

In response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February, members of the medical center community have trained civilians to treat those wounded in the attacks, raised money for critically needed supplies, and worked with NGOs to improve health care systems for refugees. Additionally, our colleagues at MedStar Health pledged to send $2 million in medical equipment with shipments starting in May.

Thanks to those participating in clinical trials, GUMC researchers have made discoveries regarding new options for treating anxiety, the treatment of advanced melanoma, effective smoking cessation programs, and understanding how experiencing a major stroke changes an infant’s brain.

If you plan to attend in person, please consider donating a book for the Georgetown University Angel Book Drive or bringing a toy for the Mary’s Center Holiday Toy Drive (sponsored by the School of Health and School of Nursing). Drop boxes will be located in the auditorium’s lobby during the meeting. Visit the links above to learn about online donation options.

You can view a schedule of campus dining hours from November 21-27 here. Epicurean will be open to all members of the community from 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. from Wednesday, November 23 to Saturday, November 26.

All students remaining local for the Thanksgiving break are invited to the President’s Thanksgiving Dinner on Wednesday, November 23 in the Healey Family Student Center, and can register using this link. 

The holidays can be a challenging time for many. The Every Hoya Cares website includes information about mental and emotional health and well-being resources for students, faculty and staff. There is guidance for those who need immediate help for themselves or someone they know, and information about virtual counseling for students.

For 27 years, the Sponsor a Family Program has assisted members of the Georgetown community facing financial challenges that may limit their ability to celebrate the holidays. Thanks to the generosity of faculty and staff members, more than 300 families benefitted from the 2021 program, which has been renamed in honor of its founder, the late Dr. Eileen Fenrich. Visit the website to learn more about the program, including how to nominate and sponsor families.

Severe weather in winter can make homelessness a life-threatening situation. The Georgetown University Center for Social Justice partners with the nonprofit Georgetown Ministry Center to form a Hypothermia Outreach Team (HOT) to assess the needs of those living on the street, help prevent cold weather injury and death from exposure, and encourage them to seek safety in available shelters. The next training for HOT members is Tuesday, November 29, 7:00-8:30 p.m. via Zoom. RSVP here.

Students have until Wednesday, November 30 at 5:00 p.m. to request participation in a pilot program providing a $100 WMATA SmarTrip credit for the semester to up to 2,500 students, to be used toward transit passes or standard pay-as-you-go transit. Participants will be randomly selected from those who express interest. Learn more about the program and find FAQs on the Hoya Transit Pilot Program page.