On Saturday, May 3, the Rush University community gathered at Credit Union 1 Arena to celebrate nearly 800 graduating students. The event symbolized the closing of one chapter and the beginning of a career full of lifelong learning and innovation.
During the ceremony, Eugene Robinson, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and MSNBC contributor, addressed the crowd, telling graduates from a variety of health care professions how critical their work is.
“I am full of hope today, and I urge all of you to be hopeful too,” Robinson said. “And as graduates of Rush University, you have an especially vital role to play. Because you are healers. And you will be called upon to help mend that which is being broken – broken bodies, broken communities, a broken society.”
Robinson spoke about the university’s mission of bettering health for all and reducing disparities.
“I applaud Rush for being an institution that not only understands the ways in which health care is made unavailable to underserved or marginalized communities, but also for trying to do something about this deficit,” Robinson remarked.
A uniquely special class
This year’s ceremony included a student speaker from the College of Health Sciences. Louisa Forrest, graduating from the audiology program, talked about the uniqueness of the Class of 2025. A class that actively chose to go into or further their career in health care amidst the pandemic.
“We are one of the first graduating classes to apply to school during the pandemic,” Forrest said. “In this room we are surrounded by future nurses, doctors, therapists, researchers and more, all of whom witnessed the significant trauma and strain on the health care system caused by the pandemic … and then chose to enter into our respective health fields in spite of — or maybe because of — our experiences in 2020 and thereafter.”
Forrest touched on the passion of each student embarking on the lifelong journey of healing and supporting others that is the health care profession.
“I look out at my colleagues in front of me, and I see a sea of professionals who are committed to supporting their communities as well as each other amidst profound personal loss,” Forrest said. “It takes true passion for one’s craft and true love for community to support each other through these demanding programs in unprecedented times, which is something I see when I look at all of you.”
A continued commitment
As students across nursing, medicine and the allied health professions marked the end of their time at Rush University, their commitment to its mission will carry with them no matter where the next step takes them. As the next generation of health care leaders, their dedication to innovative research, bettering outcomes and excellent patient care play a pivotal role.
“You should be proud of what you have already done in this endeavor to make health care available to all by being a part of the Rush University community,” Robinson said during his speech. “And I know that Rush will be proud of your continued commitment — and your great accomplishments — in the years to come.”