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During the annual Student Leader Recognition Night, Student Services and the Student Senate presented several individual awards to a student from each College, an outstanding advisor, and a campus unification award. Organization awards were also handed out for community service, promotion of student wellness, and the spirit of �°������ϲʿ�����. The honors and recognition were celebrated at a dinner event on the Downers Grove Campus.

The Campus Unification Award is awarded to one student from �°������ϲʿ����� who takes part in several activities and organizations. This year’s recipient is Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine student Mihika Iyer (CCOM ’26), who serves as vice president of the �°������ϲʿ����� Student Senate and vice president of the CCOM Wilderness Medicine Club. Mihika highlighted her experience in Student Senate as “a blend of leadership, advocacy, and support to the club president. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve in this position and be a voice representing the students on our campus.” Mihika worked with the Student Activities office to organize events that celebrate students such as the Back to School Bash, the Taste of Midwestern, and the Student Leader Recognition Night. She also worked with the executive board to arrange monthly meetings and regular communication with faculty and staff representatives from all the colleges to talk over and address campus-wide concerns. “I am privileged to have made a tangible impact on campus life while developing valuable leadership and advocacy skills for my future as a physician,” Mihika said. 

Mihika also lists one of the Student Senate’s club accomplishments as establishing relationships with alumni to create networking opportunities, advice, and how to plan with professionals in their healthcare fields. Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine student and speaker of the Student Senate Amanda Azam (CCOM ’26) elaborated further regarding connecting with the Alumni Senate and organizing an interdisciplinary alumni panel with graduates in a variety of healthcare professions. “This panel offered invaluable insights and advice, covering a wide range of topics from recommended readings on leadership to poetry that offers solace during the challenging days in healthcare,” Amanda said. She also expressed gratitude for the candidness of the alumni in the event. “They openly shared stories of their professional successes and failures, providing invaluable lessons for current students.” 

Mihika is appreciative of her time in clubs and organizations. “Working with diverse groups, such as the Senate body, has given me skills to collaborate with professionals from various backgrounds. This is directly impactful on my skills as a physician and working with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to provide comprehensive care to patients.” She also mentions the importance of student involvement in clubs and organizations. “Involvement in clubs and organizations is important for graduate and doctoral students to enhance their academic and professional development through building meaningful connections and cultivating a sense of community.” Amanda echoed, “You see firsthand the intricacies of academia, from curriculum development to student support services. This perspective not only informs your own educational experience, but it also equips you to advocate for improvements that benefit the entire student body.”

Amanda also values her experience and shared, “The role of speaker challenged me and pushed me to further cultivate mercy. This is a trait that I believe will deeply influence my journey to become a motivating, kind, and gracious physician.”  

Through involvement in clubs and organizations, students at �°������ϲʿ����� supplement their classroom learning with opportunities to partake in community service, leadership, advocacy, and a variety of other skills that will serve them in their future careers as healthcare professionals. At the Student Leader Recognition Night, the University expresses their honor and appreciation of the contributions from students that will undoubtedly pave the way for a brighter, prosperous future as patient-centered healthcare professionals. 
 

2023-2024 Awards:

• CPDG Outstanding Leader: Nadeha Fareed
• CCOM Outstanding Leader:  Riya Pathare
• CHS Outstanding Leader: Hannah Bargouthi
• CDMI Outstanding Leader: Marina Curiel, Paige Madden
• CCO Outstanding Leader: Hana Tulemat
• CGS Outstanding Leader: Alexis Bucha
• Campus Unification Award: Mihika Iyer
• Outstanding Advisor: Kathy Komperda, Pharm.D., BCPS, Professor, Pharmacy Practice
• Healthcare Awareness Award: Mohammed Baghdadi
• Organization Community Service: Hispanic Student Dental Association (HSDA)
• Spirit of Midwestern Award: American College of Osteopathic Surgeons (ACOS)
• Student Wellness Promotion Award: American Association for Women Dentists (AAWD)