May is the month of expectation, the month of wishes, the month of hope."                     - Emily Brontë

May is here, and so is the end of another semester!         

Whether this was your first or your final term, take a moment to reflect on all you’ve accomplished over the past few months. You’ve put in the time, effort, and heart—so be sure to celebrate your progress and honor your commitment to this educational journey. As the semester winds down and summer approaches, we hope you find time to rest, reset, and take care of yourself. You’ve earned it!

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:

As part of our ongoing efforts to respond to student needs and concerns, the Office of Student Support has released our Annual Survey for 2024-25. We invite and encourage you to share your feedback about OSS with us. The survey should take no more than five minutes, and is completely anonymous.

Anyone who completes the survey will be eligible to enter a raffle for a gift from the GW Campus Store. You will be able to enter your name via a different webform following completion of the survey. This separate Google form ensures confidentiality in your responses.  A randomized drawing for the gift will be completed following the close of the survey.

The survey link can be found here, or in the QR code above: https://redcap.link/psa85qus. The survey will close on May 16th at 11:59pm EST.

If you have any questions or concerns about the survey, are curious how we have implemented previous survey feedback, or would like to speak to us about another matter, please don't hesitate to contact us. To those who have already completed the survey - thank you! We appreciate your feedback.

The Office of Student Support wishes to congratulate all 2025 graduates!

Your contributions to your program have shaped the experience of the students and professors around you, the entire community is stronger for it. Whether you are patient facing or working behind the scenes, in labs or in policy (among many others), we are excited to know that you are changing lives and making GW proud. Raise High!

May is observed as Mental Health Awareness Month. 

Since its inception in 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has served as a way to encourage people to seek treatment without shame while also educating people on the topic. 

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, it is estimated that one in five U.S. adults live with mental illness. If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, use these resources to find help for yourself, a friend, or a family member: https://go.nih.gov/cka2JoU.

See below or visit the OSS website for information about GW resources for mental health.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s prioritize our well-being by facing up to any anxieties, uncertainties, or past traumas that might be holding us back, and moving forward with more strength and self-knowledge. Remember that you don’t need to do it alone, because support is available through Talkspace.  

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.

The Student Wellness Committee is headed to Tonic for Trivia Night! Come to enjoy a night of fun + appetizers on us. Register by scanning the QR code or clicking the button above so we can know how many people to expect.

This is part of Tonic's weekly Trivia Nights on Mondays, so be sure to get there early to reserve your spot. Members from the SWC will be walking over from Ross Hall at 6:45pm if you'd like to join them.

We’re collecting recommendations to create a go-to list of fun spots and hidden gems around D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. This guide will be shared with both new and returning SMHS students to help us all explore the DMV a little more! Click the button above to submit your recommendations.

The GroW Community Garden is looking for volunteers who can help out during gardening hours. The garden is located right behind the SMHS building and garden hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays 4-5pm and Sundays 2-3pm. You can register for a shift clicking the button above or the QR code on the flyer. Come join us for some time in the sun and help grow produce that will be donated to Miriam's Kitchen!

Have a go-to meal that gets you through tough weeks? A favorite dish that always brings comfort? Share it with your fellow students in the first-ever SMHS Community Recipe Book! We’re collecting recipes from students across SMHS to create a digital recipe book filled with quick bites, hearty meals, tasty desserts, and more!

*Recipes do not have to be entirely your own; feel free to submit links to recipes you have found online that have become a favorite!

May seasonal produce includes: strawberries, pineapple, lemons, mushrooms, carrots, corn, peas, chives, and asparagus! 

For this month's seasonal recipe, try out this one pot spring pasta: topped with smoked salmon, asparagus, peas, and lemon zest. This is a quick and low effort dish, perfect for an easy week night meal.

Passport DC - 5/1-31: A month of programming across the city focuses on highlighting DC’s international culture. The Around the World Embassy Tour, the European Union Open House, and the Flower Mart are annual highlights. Most events and tours can be enjoyed entirely free of charge.

Running of the Chihuahuas at the Wharf - 5/3, 2-5pm: The Wharf celebrates Cinco de Mayo with this too-cute-to-be-true chihuahua race. Watch the little pups run their way to glory at one of the most exciting places in DC. You’ll also be able to enjoy a beer garden, a DJ, an adoptable pet parade and an all-breed costume contest.

Maryland Plant Festival - 5/24-26: In what has become an annual tradition, Plants Alive hosts a free three-day holiday weekend event that’s a dream for plant lovers. Expect rare plants (including the Ecuagenera), a Makers Market (Sunday), a book signing with Maryland’s own plant celebrity Hilton Carter (Monday) to go along with mouthwatering food and strong communal vibes.

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.

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.    

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