Rush to Sponsor Anti-Violence Summit, Health Screenings and Safety Workshop, 4/3

Event Description:

An anti-violence summit for high school students and their parents, safety and fitness workshops for pre-teens, and health screenings for all ages are a few of the events taking place at the "Cease the Silence" Day of Service organized by the Student National Medical Association (SNMA). The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, April 3 at Malcolm X College, 1900 West Van Buren Street, Chicago.

Rush Medical College and the Chicago Public Schools are partnering with SNMA to bring attention to and begin combating major issues impacting the underserved community: Heart Disease, Obesity and Diabetes, Cancer, HIV and Violence.

High school students and their parents are invited to the "Cease the Silence, Stop the Violence" summit from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the auditorium of Malcolm X College. Speakers include Ron Huberman, CEO of Chicago Public Schools; Terry Peterson, director of government affairs at Rush University Medical Center; Sue Moehn, a domestic violence expert from Jane Addams Hull House; Juan Asensio, MD, a trauma surgeon and Rush graduate; Tio Hardiman, director of CeaseFire Illinois; Stacy Acevez, sexual violence expert from the YWCA; James B. Jackson, assistant superintendent, operations, Chicago Police Department; and Ghingo Brooks, president of Malcolm X College.

The SNMA Day of Service will also attract medical students from around the country, ready to speak to high school students about overcoming challenges to become successful medical students and the role they can play in decreasing violence in their communities.

Following the anti-violence summit, high school students will have the opportunity to participate in interactive discussions and activities with Juan Asensio, MD, Steven Jackson and Michael Nolan of R.I.T.E. (Reentry Initiative Through Entrepreneurship), and SNMA members. Kids ages 13 and under will participate in a safety presentation from the Chicago police department. A number of informational booths will also be available, featuring groups such as the Boys and Girls Club, to offer information on after-school and summer activities, job opportunities and additional information on stopping violence.

Throughout the day, students and faculty from Rush University will perform health screenings for heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. Chicago House will provide HIV rapid testing and counseling. The National Marrow Donor Program and Bhakti Hansoti, MD, of the University of Chicago emergency medicine residency program will educate the community on the need for minority marrow donors, and offer the opportunity to sign up for the national registry.

While the goal of the event is serious business, the day will also offer lots of fun and educational activities for kids ages 6 and up, including Zumba Dance lessons, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, an anti-violence art corner, and a nutrition and fitness bootcamp.

Learn more about the "Cease The Silence" Day Of Service now.

	Sharon Gates Phone: (312) 942-3670 E-mail: sharon_gates@rush.edu