"'Joy is an act of resistance," and so we will lean in to that joy, knowing that our humanity demands that we fully partake of this magical experience."

- Tarana Burke, You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience

Even though February is our shortest month, it’s a wonderful time to focus on building connections and taking care of yourself. Take a moment to check in with yourself and those around you. Lift each other up, practice self-care, and know that the Office of Student Support is always here if you need a little extra encouragement!

To schedule a virtual or in-person meeting, contact our office at SMHSstudents@gwu.edu.

In this edition of the newsletter, you can find the following:

In February 1976, President Gerald Ford declared February African American History Month. In 2006, national Black History Month transformed into the Black Heritage Celebration (BHC) at GW. Throughout the month of February, GW celebrates Black heritage, showcasing the rich history, culture and accomplishments of the Black community. The Multicultural Student Services Center provides logistical support for Black organizations to collaborate and promote cultural awareness. Below, you can find a list of events supported by the MSSC - click on the link to view more details:

For the Love of the People: Fred Hampton - 2/6, 4-6pm

The BlackPrint: Stroll Off - 2/7, 6:30pm  

Jessica Marie Johnson's "Wicked Flesh" - 2/12, 10-11am

Soulful Sundays - 2/23, 5-7pm

Need a study break? Join the Student Wellness Committee for Valentine's Day cookie decorating and card making in the Student Lounge on Thursday, 2/13, from 12-1pm! All supplies will be provided: cookie kits, construction paper, markers, glue, and more!

Prioritizing Self-Care: Building Long-Term Habits

Congratulations to our Self-Care Bingo winners! OSS will reach out to you soon with instructions for picking up your prize.

We were thrilled to see so many students participate. We want to remind you that self-care goes beyond simply checking items off a list; it's essential to make it a consistent and sustainable part of your daily routine.

When academic and professional responsibilities pile up, self-care often takes a backseat. However, research shows that prioritizing self-care improves focus, enhances stress management, and contributes to overall life satisfaction. On the flip side, neglecting self-care increases the risk of burnout, anxiety, and exhaustion. By integrating small, intentional self-care practices into your routine, you can build resilience and maintain a healthier balance in your daily life.

Practical Ways to Incorporate Self-Care

Looking for ways to make self-care a regular part of your life? Try these evidence-based strategies:

✅ Set Healthy Boundaries: Learning to say no to excessive obligations helps protect your energy and prevent burnout.

✅ Prioritize Rest and Sleep: Consistent, quality sleep improves concentration, memory, and emotional well-being.

✅ Move Your Body: Whether it’s stretching, walking, or yoga, physical activity releases endorphins that boost mood and reduce stress.

✅ Stay Connected: Meaningful relationships provide emotional support and improve overall well-being.

✅ Engage in Mindfulness Practices: Meditation, journaling, or deep breathing exercises help manage stress and improve focus

✅ Make Time for Joy: Engaging in hobbies or creative activities enhances mental health and fosters a sense of fulfillment.

Keep the Momentum Going

Self-care isn’t just a one-time event—it’s a continuous practice. We encourage you to set small, realistic self-care goals and check in with yourself regularly. Your well-being matters, and taking care of yourself is an investment in your success. Keep up the great work, and remember—self-care isn’t selfish, it’s essential!

February seasonal produce includes: all citrus fruits, sweet onions, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, celery, and avocados! For this month's seasonal recipe, try out this chicken lemon orzo soup! This soup makes for an easy winter meal prep. Substitute chicken for chickpeas for a meatless dish.

Fierce Flora: Tales of Survival and Demise – Ongoing: The U.S. Botanic Garden invites you to see the ferocious side of flora and fauna at its special new exhibit. Many plants have evolved defenses against infection, herbivores and their plant competition. The multisensory display will showcase this evolution and also pinpoint how these plants can be both harmful and helpful to humans.

February Family Day at the Library of Congress - 2/8, 10:30am - 3:30pm: Make your own vintage, Victorian-style valentine cards and tokens inspired by Library collections. Each Family Day includes a creative activity, connections to Library of Congress collections, a chance to talk to staff experts and a guide to using Library resources at home. The event is FREE, but passes are required for the Jefferson Building.

We Gather at the Edge: Contemporary Quilts by Black Women Artists - 2/21 - 6/22: In 2023, the Smithsonian American Art Museum acquired thirty-five quilts from the collection of Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi. Mazloomi is a prolific artist, curator, and scholar. The selection of quilts acquired by the museum and featured in this exhibition is remarkable in its scope and groundbreaking in its representation of Black history and culture as told with needle and thread.

Student Wellness Committee:

"The Wellness Committee is a group of elected students from all programs within the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences with a passion for promoting wellness in our community. We believe that as students who are training to become healthcare providers, it is critical that we learn to care for ourselves by nurturing our own personal health and wellness, as we strive to care for others. This committee seeks to promote wellness by organizing events and initiatives that enhance student wellbeing and strengthen relationships within our programs. We consider many dimensions of wellness and work with the Office for Student Support (OSS) to ensure accessibility to resources and safe spaces, as well as provide events like movie nights, picnics, cookie decorating, therapy dogs, and other initiatives to promote connectivity and healthy habits." - Student Wellness Committee Leadership

For information on how to join the Student Wellness Committee, or to send suggestions/ideas for wellness events, please send them an email.

SMHS Student - Parent Support Network

The Office of Student Support (OSS) is excited to announce an initiative aimed at connecting student-parents across SMHS. We recognize that balancing academic responsibilities with parenting can be challenging, and we want to offer a supportive network to help navigate these demands. By filling out a short google form, you will have the opportunity to receive contact information for other student-parents who are also interested in joining this network. Click here to fill out the form.

Student Organizations: Interested in joining one of the 80+ student organizations SMHS has to offer? You can find a full list of them here, updated every semester.

Want to start your own organization? The Medical Center Student Council provides guidance on the process on their website, with enrollment periods open twice a year.

Himmelfarb Library offers a variety of research guides tailored for SMHS students. We recommend bookmarking these guides for future reference:

Harvard Citation Style Introduction: Why is referencing important?

AMA Citation Style  

APA Citation Style

An Introduction to RefWorks: An online reference tool

If you have any questions related to these research guides, please email himmelfarb@gwu.edu.

For more in-depth help with citations or writing, you can schedule a one-on-one meeting with our writing coach, Mark Gurarie. To request a meeting, email smhsstudents@gwu.edu.

"The Power of Not Yet: Redefining Failure and Success" will engage participants in a thought-provoking discussion focused on understanding perfectionism and transforming it into a healthy and helpful mindset.

A key focus will be on redefining mistakes—not as failures, but as valuable opportunities for gaining experience and fostering deeper learning. Participants will examine how mistakes provide critical insights and real-world lessons that contribute to professional and personal growth. The session will also address the fear of failure, encouraging students to see it not as a final outcome but as a stepping stone toward progress.

The session aims to empower participants to set realistic goals, take it one step at the time, celebrate progress, and use perfectionism as a fuel for improvement without compromising their well-being.

CV Support: We have a dedicated faculty advisor with whom you can schedule appointments to review and revise your CV. To schedule an appointment, email OSS  with your request and attach any resume or CV documents you may have. If you have never created a CV before, we are happy to work with you and share our template.

Learning Support: Our dedicated learning specialist, Terri Edwards, is available to meet with students to discuss active learning strategies, study strategies and scheduling, test taking strategies, and more. To book an appointment with her, please use her Calendly link.

Peer Tutoring: If you would like to work with a peer tutor, email OSS to learn more about peer-led academic support. 

Small Study Groups: Consider adding small group studying into your academic schedule. OSS assigns students to a study group of 2-5 students; the sessions are facilitated by a student who commits to that role. Groups may choose to meet in person or virtually. Contact OSS for more information to be a facilitator or participant.

Writing Coach: Coaching sessions help students build their writing confidence and develop vital writing skills for writing assignments, personal statements, and professional writing. To receive a referral to the writing coach, please email OSS directly.    

Next session: 2/19, 12-1pm, Feel free to bring your lunch!

We are excited to announce the reintroduction of WeTalk sessions—a collaboration between the Office of Student Support (OSS) and GW Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) to provide a monthly drop-in group support space for SMHS students. Whether you're feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or just need a space to unwind, this is a great opportunity to explore strategies for managing various challenges in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

Our goal is to provide a space for students to explore coping strategies, gain insights from CAPS staff, and connect in a supportive atmosphere. Feel free to stop by anytime during the session.

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact CAPS at capsoutreach@gwu.edu or OSS at smhsstudents@gwu.edu.

Having trouble navigating relationships while balancing the demands of school, work, and life? Viktoriya Karakcheyeva from the Resiliency and Wellbeing Center (R&WC) is here to help!  

Submit your anonymous question(s) by 11:59 pm on Sunday, February 16th. Viktoriya will answer selected questions in the March edition of our newsletter. Questions can pertain to any type of relationship—romantic, platonic, or otherwise.

Potential topics to ask about can include:

- Boundary setting

- Navigating conflict

- Building trust

- Recognizing signs of toxic relationships

At Talkspace, we recognize Black History Month as a time to learn, educate, and address mental health within the Black community. 

Shedding Light on Black History and Mental Health: This article explores the unique mental health challenges Black Americans face and the systemic barriers they encounter.
Black Joy and Mental Health: Celebrating the concept of Black Joy, this piece highlights how it can heal and protect mental health in the Black community.

Talkspace: As educators of our future healthcare professionals, we know how important mental health is and are pleased to offer all SMHS students a free subscription to Talkspace. Talkspace offers unlimited text messaging and four 30-minute video sessions a month with a licensed therapist and is a convenient, clinically effective, and confidential service.  You will be matched with a therapist that suits you and your needs via a special algorithm. To register, go to www.talkspace.com/gwu and input your GW email address. [Medical Residents should NOT use their MFA email address] After you are registered and matched with your therapist, you can schedule an optional 10-minute live video introduction session.  Students who experience difficulty registering should contact partners-support@talkspace.com and cc Alex Velto (alex.velto@gwu.edu).

Please note that after a year of using the platform, you will need to revalidate your account.  Go to the 'Check my coverage' feature found in your Talkspace app settings - and follow the prompts provided. If you prefer to remain connected to your current therapist, you will have to reach out to partners-support@talkspace.com to validate instead.

Student Health Center:  The Student Health Center (formally CHC) is open and operating to assist students seeking medical, psychiatric, counseling, and psychological services. Physicians and counselors provide in-person treatment in the office, and virtual appointments are offered during regular business hours. Call 202-994-5300 to schedule an appointment.  

Hours:

Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (ET); extended hours until 7pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Saturday: 12:00 pm-4:00 pm

Sunday: 12:00 pm-4:00 pm on the Mount Vernon Campus

Resiliency and Well-Being Center: OSS frequently collaborates with the GW RW&C on matters related to individual and group well-being. The R&W Center takes an evidence-based, whole-person approach in the health and wellness (well-being) services it provides to the GW medical enterprise—SMHS, GW MFA, and the GW Hospital.  The R&W Center provides individual, departmental, and institutional-level services.  

Additional Resiliency and Well-Being Center workshop information can be found here.

Want to stay up-to date with OSS Events in 2025? Click here to add the Office of Student Support (OSS) Events Calendar to your Google Calendar. You can also check out the Events Tab on the OSS website to see event details.

Interested in meeting with our learning specialist, Terri Edwards, or with our associate director, Alex Velto? Use their Calendly links to easily schedule a meeting with them! 

                             Alex's Calendly         Terri's Calendly