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Abdalla Ali, a third year pharmacy student at UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy, is creating a program to address the needs of patients with diabetes or hypertension at the IMAN Health Clinic in the South Side of Chicago through medication management and educational services. By creating workshops, activities, and working one on one with members of the community, he is determined to raise awareness and improve health outcomes. In the promotion of general well-being and therapy, he is seeking $500 for supplies such as blood glucose test strips, blood pressure monitors, and pill boxes that patients may use at home and be engaged in their care.

Andrea Mia Bejar, a fourth year medical student at the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, proposes to create a program to provide education on medical imaging, cancer screening, and self advocacy to primarily Spanish speaking, under resourced communities in Chicago. She will be working one-on-one with patients at MiMedico, a local family medicine clinic in Pilsen, to schedule appointments, register for public cancer screening programs, and answer questions. Her project aims to empower patients with knowledge and tools to feel confident advocating for themselves and their loved ones in medical settings. Andrea seeks to raise $400 for transportation and printing of high-quality handouts for patients to take home.

Shanthi Cambala, a 4th-year medical student at Midwestern University, is facilitating The Emerging Healthcare Leaders Institute (EHLI), a workshop and mentorship series that focuses on providing health care career exploration and professional development for first-generation college students. She will be working with Dominican University of Chicago and Richard T. Crane Medical Preparatory High School, both in Chicago. She envisions engaging sessions that will allow students to write about themselves, reflect on their goals, and build supportive networks with one another. Shanthi seeks to raise $650 to help facilitate networking event and site field trips, and to provide notebooks and writing supplies to help students engage and reflect upon what they learn during EHLI.

Mary Chaudhry, an Aspiring Internal Medicine Resident from Midwestern University AZCOM, proposes a preventative health and wellness program for South Asian and immigrant adults at the Hamdard Center’s Adult Program in Chicago. The project will focus on chronic disease education, preventive healthcare access including cancer screenings and specialty care at RUSH CURE (ophthalmology, ENT, and orthopedics), and mental health awareness through peer-led wellness activities such as painting, calligraphy, and crocheting. These efforts aim to increase access to care, promote healthier lifestyles, and empower participants to manage their health through improved health literacy. Mary seeks to raise $1,200 for supplies, educational materials, transportation support, and honoraria for community speakers.

Catherine Chen, a Northwestern University medical student, proposes to create a sexual health educational program for families in Chicago’s Chinatown in collaboration with the nonprofit organization Project Vision. She is hosting monthly workshops for parents and students that combine health education, simulations to practice communication skills, and interactive activities to reduce stigma surrounding sexual health and facilitate open conversations. The program is designed to increase health-seeking behaviors by connecting families with local health resources and empowering them with the knowledge and confidence to access care. Each session will include hands-on activities, shared snacks, and group discussions to strengthen community ties and promote well-being. Catherine seeks to raise $250 for supplies, breakfast, snacks, and small prizes for participants, as well as reservations of workshop spaces. Additional funds will support translation/interpretation services, outreach materials, and transportation stipends to ensure accessibility for volunteers and community members.

Lauryn Coleman, a Loyola University Chicago Master of Social Work student, proposes developing a career exploration program for middle school youth in collaboration with the West Cook County Youth Club. The program would offer hands-on activities, mentorship, and exposure to diverse career paths through structured and interactive workshops. The program aims to equip students with the knowledge and confidence to pursue future educational and career opportunities. Lauryn seeks to raise $1,000 to support program materials, including supplies for interactive activities, printed worksheets, and transportation costs for field trips that will connect students with real-world career settings.

Diana Dao is a naturopathic medical student at the National University of Health Sciences and a 2025–2026 Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellow. Her Schweitzer Fellowship project focuses on improving nutrition literacy among underserved adults in Chicago through partnerships with Deborah’s Place and Nourishing Hope, two organizations that provide critical support services to individuals facing housing insecurity and food insecurity.

Through this initiative, Diana delivers community-based nutrition education including food demonstrations, interactive workshops, and one-on-one support, designed to help participants better understand what they're eating and why, using pantry-accessible foods to support their health. Many individuals served through these organizations face complex barriers to care, including chronic health conditions, limited resources, and gaps in access to preventive health education. This project aims to address those gaps by building practical skills, confidence, and knowledge around food as a foundation for health. Diana is seeking to raise $600 to support program costs, including educational materials, printing, food supplies for demonstrations, and transportation. Donations directly support hands-on nutrition education that promotes health equity, strengthens food confidence, and empowers individuals to take meaningful steps toward improved well-being.

Hannah Lewis, a University of Illinois Master’s in Social Work student, proposes to develop a program to teach youth about mental health and suicide prevention through Rush’s School-based Clinics. Through interactive groups, she will teach youth how to cope with their mental health and how to support peers who express suicidal thoughts. Group sessions will utilize engaging activities such as games and art to engage students in lessons. Hannah seeks to raise $400 for supplies such as art supplies and calming materials.

Karina Mak, a student at Stritch School of Medicine , proposes to create an Advanced Care Planning program for older adults in community-dwelling settings across Chicago. She has partnered with the SHARE Network and envisions hosting group informational sessions and individual consultations to provide residents with the opportunity to document their end-of-life wishes. In addition to completing advance directives, the sessions help foster conversations between older adults and their caregivers and will also promote improved future healthcare for older adults. Karina seeks to raise $200 for printing and mailing advanced directive documents and programming material, as well as $200 for high-quality audio/visual supplies to mobilize this program across Chicago.

Yasemin Mumay is developing an oral health education program for underserved children and their caregivers at El Valor, a nonprofit organization that serves immigrant and Latino families in Chicago. The program features interactive workshops, puppet shows, and hands-on demonstrations to help children learn how to care for their teeth, while caregivers receive practical guidance on supporting their families’ oral health at home.

This initiative seeks to reduce barriers to dental care and empower families with the knowledge and tools they need for healthier smiles. To bring the program to life, Yasemin is raising $800 to cover project supplies, including children’s oral hygiene books and bilingual educational handouts for families, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss kits, as well as arts and crafts materials for interactive learning activities.

Jennee Nacnac, a Master of Science in Nursing student at Rush University, proposes to bring Unmuted: A Healthy Relationships Program to students at Crane High School in partnership with Healthy Hood Chicago. This trauma-informed and culturally responsive program will take place during the school lunch hour as a series of “Lunch and Learn” sessions. The workshops will give teens practical tools to recognize healthy relationship behaviors, set personal boundaries, and identify early warning signs of coercion or abuse. By creating a safe space for dialogue, Unmuted aims to strengthen confidence, resilience, and community support among adolescents.  Jennee seeks to raise $300 to complete victim advocate training to better support participants, as well as $400 to help provide meals during the “Lunch and Learn” sessions. She also requests $150 for interactive workshop supplies such as markers, poster boards, and role-play activity materials.

Victoria Roehl, a North Park University Master of Science in Nursing student, proposes to create a program for cancer survivors which will provide an individualized roadmap for wellness in their survivorship journey. This collaborative project will encompass classes to help adult cancer survivors at the UIC Cancer Center engage in mindful activities that promote self-care care including journaling to help envision their wellness goals and provide stress relief. Victoria seeks to raise $300 to purchase journal notebooks and $200 to provide nutritious snacks for in-person meetings.  

Sondra Ross, a Chamberlain University Mental Health Nurse Practitioner student, proposes to create a mental health wellness program for individuals on the southeast side of Joliet Il whom live in a food desert Community. She envisions hosting 3 mental health fairs and providing holistic case management that focuses on person specific basic needs ranging from job sources, housing, utility and transportation assistance. Sondra seeks to raise $500.00 to assist in offsetting the cost for the mental health fairs materials, banners, hand outs, marketing supplies, and to purchase materials to create relaxation tools such as squeeze balls, and rubber band bracelets.