Student groups interested in using OU trademarks are required to seek approval through OU Licensing.

Applications for Student Awards are open now! All students can apply for at least one award and have multiple opportunities to nominate members of the OU Health Academic community for awards. Please see the opportunities below. Questions? Contact OU Student Affairs at students@ouhsc.edu.

Help make a difference in our community this fall by supporting the 2026 Fall Food Drive benefitting the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma! From October 5 - 25, we're rallying together to collect donations for those in need and we need your help to reach our goal!

Drop off cans and non-perishable items at donation boxes located across campus. Most needed items include canned meats (i.e. tuna, chicken, seafood, turkey), canned or dried beans and peas (i.e. black, pinto, lentils), canned and boxed meals (i.e. soup, chili, mac and cheese), pasta rice, cereal, canned fruit and vegetables, and peanut butter. 

If your department is interested in obtaining a box, request a box for the 2026 Fall Food Drive. Locations that sign up by Wednesday, September 30 will have a box delivered directly to their building or office. Locations signing up after September 30 will need to pick up a box from the Health Campus Student Union, Suite 300. 

Drop off locations:

Building

HC Student Union: 1st Floor - under staircase

College of Pharmacy: 1st Floor - near Student Affairs office

College of Allied Health: 1st Floor - near elevator

College of Dentistry: 1st Floor - Atrium

College of Nursing: 1st Floor - East Entrance

College of Public Health: South Entrance next to auditorium

Basic Sciences Education Building: COM: 1st Floor outside room 100

Bird Library: 2nd Floor - Info Desk

University Village Apartments: Mailbox Area

Research Park 755: 3rd Floor - near elevators

Research Park 800: 4th Floor - near elevators

Research Park 865: 5th Floor - near elevators

OU Technology Center: 2nd Floor - North Entrance and South Entrance

Harold Hamm Diabetes Center: University Health Club and near elevators

BRC: 1st Floor - near elevators

O'Donoghue: 3rd Floor - near elevators

Service Center Building: Suite 142 and outside Facilities Management near cafe area

Other Ways to Donate:

We've created an OU Health Campus Giving Page for monetary donations. Every dollar you contribute helps the Regional Food Bank provide even more meals to those in need.

Questions? Please contact Katie Glathar at katherine-glathar@ou.edu.

The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible learning environment for all students and members of the University community including for their safety, health, and well-being. It is occasionally unavoidable for a student to experience issues that restrict their ability to progress through the curriculum.

The University of Oklahoma is dedicated to fostering the free exchange of ideas and opinions and is committed to the principles of free speech and expression.

OUHC Parking Services has relocated to a new office within the Oklahoma Health Campus to better serve faculty, staff, students, and visitors. The Parking Office is now located in the Service Center Building at 1100 N. Lindsay Ave., Suite 100, Oklahoma City, OK 73104.

The new location is open Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., providing continued access to in-person assistance during standard business hours.

All core Parking Services operations—including parking permits, citation assistance, and account support—are available at this location. Visitors may also take advantage of online services through the Parking Services website for added convenience.

For those planning a visit, parking is available near the Service Center Building.

Additional maps, directions, and service information can be found on the Parking Services website. For questions or assistance, please contact the OUHC Parking Office at 405-271-2020, or visit the parking website.

Awards by Academic College

College of Allied Health

College of Dentistry

Graduate College

College Medicine

Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing

College of Pharmacy

Hudson College of Public Health

Departmental Awards

Interdisciplinary Student Leadership Award

• Mellisa Xie, College of Medicine

Group Recognitions

Crimson Club, New Members

Crimson Club, Graduating Members

Standard Award

¨ Green cord signifying a high amount of volunteer hours.

§ Blue cord signifying the highest amount of volunteer hours.

The Leadership Class

Student Government Association Recognitions

2025-2026 Student Government Association Executive Board

2025-2026 Student Government Association Executive Council and Student Senate

Event Chairs

Student Liaisons

Multicultural Student Organization Presidents

Student Senators

2025-2026 OU – Tulsa Student Government Association Executive Board

• Gracee Pierson – President
• Allison Tidwell – Vice President
• Emily Caguay-Soto- Secretary
• Jasmine Karlebach - Treasurer

Campus Life Awards

Student Veteran & Family Leadership Award – Janie Barrios, Ziegler College of Nursing

Outstanding First Year Leadership Award – Victoria Brito, College of Medicine

Willie V. Bryan Service Award – Adaira Reid, College of Medicine

Joesph J. Ferretti Outstanding Senior Leadership Award – David Bolade, Graduate College

Take a break and join us at the Clocktower on Wednesday, June 3 from 11 AM – 1 PM for an exciting lineup of food trucks serving up delicious eats.

This Week's Food Trucks:

• Some Like It Tot
• Saucee Sicilian

Don’t miss this chance to mix up your lunch routine and support local vendors. We’ll see you there!

Multiple vendors — payment methods may vary

Congratulations to the remarkable students of The Leadership Class of 2026! Your future is bright, and we can't wait to see the incredible impact you'll make!

The University Health Club is excited to share several updates designed to help you stay active, healthy, and connected this spring!

Student Affairs is proud to announce the outstanding success of the Adopt-A-Patient: Winter Wishes 2025 campaign. This year's initiative set a new record with 319 patients adopted, the highest number in the campaign's history. 

The overwhelming generosity of our community has made a significant impact on the lives of patients and their families. Through your donations, you have provided much-needed support and a little Sooner Magic to those facing challenging times.

  We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed and participated in this year's     campaign. Your unwavering commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others     is truly inspiring. 

  Stay tuned for updates on future campaigns. Once again, thank you for your incredible support.

Applications for Student Awards are open now! All students have the opportunity to apply for at least one award and multiple opportunities to nominate members of the OU Health Sciences community for awards. Please see the opportunities below. Questions? Contact Student Affairs at students@ouhsc.edu. 

Willie V. Bryan Service Award

The Willie V. Bryan Service Award is given to one student who demonstrates a commitment to the service of others, defined as service to their community, campus, cultural community, or an underserved population.

https://qualtrics.ou.edu/jfe/form/SV_eQK7litNbVtV1mm

Outstanding Senior Leadership Award

The Outstanding Senior Leadership Award application is for graduating students enrolled in an OU Health Sciences program. Each academic college committee selects one outstanding graduating student based on leadership, campus involvement, professional development, and community service to represent the college.

https://qualtrics.ou.edu/jfe/form/SV_cwFZZji6z6rTaLk

First Year Leadership Award

The application for First Year Leadership is for students in the first year of their OU Health Sciences program. The selection is based on leadership, campus involvement, professional development, and community service within the recipient’s first year of their academic program. The award will recognize one emerging leader.

https://qualtrics.ou.edu/jfe/form/SV_23uvTmCc80hf8N0

Outstanding Registered Student Organization Award

The Outstanding Registered Student Organization Award is given to an RSO recognized for dedication and commitment to not only serving OU, but the local community as well. Nominations are submitted on behalf of the RSO itself.

https://qualtrics.ou.edu/jfe/form/SV_1L0C5mdCHpRT2Cy

Outstanding Registered Student Organization Advisor Award

The Outstanding Registered Student Organization, or RSO, Advisor is selected from nominations by students and student groups for dedication and commitment to students, serving not only OU students, but their local community as well. Nominations are submitted on behalf of the RSO itself.

https://qualtrics.ou.edu/jfe/form/SV_abfA4kMJOTeTgNM

Student Veteran and Family Leadership Award

The Student Veteran and Family Leadership Award is given to one outstanding veteran or family member of, who has displayed a commitment to their respective campus in addition to service to the United States. Students in their second year or greater of their respective OU Health Sciences program are eligible for application.

https://qualtrics.ou.edu/jfe/form/SV_5o1DalK3vWLFFOK

Campus Life Award

The Campus Life Award will be presented to up to 15 non-first year students. Selected students must have excelled in the areas of scholarship, character, leadership, and service to the university community. This award is for recognition only and is not a scholarship.

https://qualtrics.ou.edu/jfe/form/SV_b9i3RjpffdKgoKi

Tanya L. Mustin Award for Staff Excellence

The Tanya L. Mustin Award for Staff Excellence award has been designed to honor an exemplary OU Health Sciences staff member. This award is presented to a staff member who has gone above and beyond for students and served full-time within OU Health Sciences programs for at least three years. This award is selected from nominations by students.

https://qualtrics.ou.edu/jfe/form/SV_7WMUtuWhI8XMVVQ

Robert Magarian Faculty Excellence Award

The Robert Magarian Faculty Excellence award has been designed to honor an exemplary OU Health Sciences faculty member. This award is presented to a faculty member who has gone above and beyond for students and served full-time within OU Health Sciences programs for at least three years. This award is selected from nominations by students.

https://qualtrics.ou.edu/jfe/form/SV_eyrHSmf6GL9f1Zk

Intramural Sports Individual Award

This honor highlights a student’s leadership, competitive play, and sportsmanship through their participation in sports on the University of Oklahoma Health Campus.

https://qualtrics.ou.edu/jfe/form/SV_79ZEkUWkpfotGsK

Healthcare providers are entrusted with patients’ health, safety, and welfare; have access to confidential and sensitive information; and operate in settings that require good judgment and ethical behavior. Thus, assessing a student’s or accepted applicant’s suitability to function in a clinical environment is imperative to promote the highest level of integrity in health care services.

Elemental Coffee is expanding its presence in Oklahoma City with a new café location inside Innovation Hall, bringing their small-batch craft coffee and thoughtful food program into the heart of the Innovation District.

Founded in 2008 as Oklahoma City’s first third-wave micro-roaster, Elemental has helped shape the city’s coffee culture through its Midtown café and commitment to community, craft, and hospitality. This new location extends that legacy into Innovation Hall, a space built for meetings, events, collaboration, and everyday community life.

The café will serve a curated menu of Elemental’s coffees and delicious food offerings. Soft openings are planned for early January, with a grand opening set for January 14, 2026.

Learn how to create a group and post an event on GivePulse.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the 2025 Fall Food Drive a success! Together, we collected 1,320 pounds of food  and raised $460 through our online giving page, which provided an incredible 2,480 meals to those facing hunger in our state through the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.

Your generosity has made a real difference in our community when it was needed most. We're so grateful for your commitment to this important cause. Thank you for being part of this impactful effort!

A big thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2025 Big Event! Your dedication to serving others and making a meaningful impact in our community is truly appreciated.

This year, 64 volunteers came together across 5 unique locations to make a difference. Your hard work and enthusiasm did not go unnoticed.

Thank you for being part of the Big Event family. Your efforts make all the difference!

Spread warmth and cheer this holiday season by joining Student Affairs in our Adopt-A-Patient: Winter Wishes 2025 campaign! Student Affairs partners with the Children's Hospital to bring joy to patients and their families who must spend the holidays in the hospital. Together with the Children's Hospital, we're on a mission to make hospital stays a little cozier for young patients and their families.

Here's how it works:

Once you register, we'll match you with a patient age group and share gift suggestions if needed. All donations are appreciated! Please drop off unwrapped gifts with Student Affairs in the Student Union, Suite 300, by Thursday, December 11 at 4 PM. We'll deliver the donations, spreading holiday cheer to patients and families in need.

Registration is open from November 10 - December 11. Let's make this season unforgettable for these young patients - register for the Adopt-A-Patient Winter Wishes campaign today!

Register for Adopt-A-Patient here.

This fall, Health Campus Big Event will be partnering with various organizations for a day of service on Saturday, November 8th. Volunteers should gather at the Student Union, 1st floor at 8:00 AM to kickstart the day with breakfast and an opportunity to connect with fellow volunteers before embarking on their service activities.

Register for Big Event

Explore Our Diverse Jobsites

Here's a glimpse of previous job sites:

1. Kids Korral: cleaning and organizing
   • Mission: As a branch of The Toby Keith Foundation, OK Kids Korral is a cost-free, convenient and comfortable home for pediatric cancer patients receiving treatment at The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center, Stephenson Cancer Center and other nearby facilities
2. OKC Beautiful: planting 100 trees
   • Mission: To lead Oklahoma City’s beautification and environmental stewardship through collaboration, education, and advocacy.
3. Oklahoma City Zoo: most likely yardwork, gardening, cleaning, painting, craft preparations, or special events preparation
   • Mission: To connect people with our world's vanishing wildlife and wild places to inspire conservation action.
4. CommonWealth Urban Farms: gardening, native landscaping, and/or composting
   • Mission: To equip a network of urban gardeners, create local jobs, turn local waste into compost, and connect Oklahoma City neighbors in the process.
5. Oklahoma City Humane Society: painting
   • Mission: Works in close partnership with Oklahoma City Animal Welfare (OKC Animal Shelter) and other local shelters. Primary focus is to eliminate the needless euthanasia of healthy, adoptable animals in Oklahoma City. 
6. Myriad Botanical Gardens: Horticulture duties
   • Mission: Myriad Botanical Gardens seeks to increase the quality of life and vibrancy of downtown Oklahoma City by sustaining a world-class public garden and community-building urban green space.
7. Habitat for Humanity: details to come
   • Mission: Works toward our vision by building strength, stability and self-reliance in partnership with families in need of decent and affordable housing.

This document outlines the University of Oklahoma (OU) vaccination and tuberculosis screening and testing policies and requirements for the OU Health Campus (OUHC) programs on the Oklahoma City and Tulsa campuses, their additional sites, and their related clinical facilities.

Help make a difference in our community this fall by supporting the 2025 Fall Food Drive, benefitting the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma! From October 6- 26, we're rallying together to collect donations for those in need-and we need your help to reach our goal!

Drop off cans and non-perishable items at donation boxes located across campus. Most needed items include canned meats(i.e. tuna, chicken, seafood, turkey), canned or dried beans and peas (i.e. black, pinto, lentils), canned and boxed meals (i.e. soup, chili, mac and cheese), pasta rice, cereal, canned fruit and vegetables, and peanut butter.

Drop off locations:

Building

HC Student Union: 1st Floor - under staircase

College of Pharmacy: 1st Floor - near Student Affairs office

College of Allied Health: 2nd Floor - near elevator

College of Dentistry: 1st Floor - Atrium

College of Nursing: 1st Floor - East Entrance

College of Public Health: South Entrance next to auditorium

Basic Sciences Education Building - COM: 1st Floor outside room 100

Bird Library: 2nd Floor - Info Desk

University Village Apartments: Mailbox Area

Research Park 655: 1st Floor - Lobby

Research Park 755: 1st Floor - Lobby

Research Park 800: 1st Floor - Lobby

Research Park 825: Food Court

Research Park 840: 1st Floor - Lobby

Research Park 865: 1st Floor - Lobby

OU Technology Center: 2nd Floor - North Entrance

Family & Preventative Medicine (FMC): 2nd Floor 

Harold Hamm Diabetes Center: University Health Club

BMSB: 2nd Floor - near elevators

Williams Pavillion: 3rd Floor - Child Psychiatry

Other Ways to Donate: 

We've created an OU Health Campus Giving Page for monetary donations. Every dollar you contribute helps the Regional Food Bank provide even more meals to those in need.

If your department is interested in obtaining a box, request a box for the 2025 Fall Food Drive. Locations that sign up by Wednesday, October 1 will have a box delivered directly to their building or office. Locations signing up after October 1 will need to pick up a box from the Health Campus Student Union, Suite 300. 

Questions? Please contact Katie Glathar at katherine-glathar@ou.edu. 

All participants in photography and videography shoot need to complete a Talent Release and Consent Form. The most current version of this document is available through Marketing and Communications.

Forms should be stored by the college/unit and must be made available upon request.  

Explore exceptional training opportunities with OUHSC Student Counseling Services. Our Practicum and LPC-c opportunities offer hands-on experience in a supportive environment, working with a diverse and high-performing student population. Join us in Oklahoma City and gain access to professional development funds, individual office space, and comprehensive training materials. Apply now to contribute to the well-being of future healthcare professionals and advance your counseling career.

The OUIDPIN is a personal identification number (PIN) you will be asked to provide when requesting account assistance (e.g. password reset or removal of PingID authentication methods) from the OU IT Service Desk. To set your pin go to https://ou.edu/ouit/ouidpin.

Beginning April 4, 2025 OU IT will require users to provide their OUIDPIN before taking any user-requested administrative action on an OU account. Users which have forgotten or have not set their OUIDPIN will be required to verify their identity through alternative processes outlined in the Identity Verification Requirements knowledge base article. The Identity Verification Requirements requires additional time/effort and will delay your ability to access your account if you need assistance from OU IT.

For events requiring alcohol in the Student Union at OU Harold Hamm Health Campus, please send a written request.

The OU Health Sciences is home to nine SGA-recognized interdisciplinary groups focused on celebration and advocacy: 

·         Asian American Professional Student Association (AAPSA)

·         Black Student Association (BSA) 

·         Hispanic American Student Association (HASA)

·         International Student Organization (ISO)           

·         Lumina: Queer Student Alliance  (Lumina)

·         Muslim Professionals' Student Association (MHPSA)

·         Native American Student Association (NASA)

·         OKC Chinese Students and Scholars (OKCCSSA)

·         Veterans and Military Alliance (VMA)

Looking for leadership opportunities in a multicultural student organization? Learn about the positions available by visiting: students.ouhsc.edu/mso

Applications are open March 1-31, apply today: ousurvey.qualtrics.com/mso

*You do not have to be of a specific cultural identity to serve in a leadership position.* 

Questions? Contact Maria Esparza, Multicultural Student Services Coordinator at: Maria-D-Esparza@ouhsc.edu

Congratulations to the remarkable students of the Leadership HSC Class of 2025! Your future is bright, and we can't wait to see the incredible impact you'll make!

Academic integrity means understanding and respecting these basic truths, without which no university can exist. Academic misconduct violates the assumptions at the heart of all learning.

Instructional travel is any student travel for an instructional activity that is sponsored by an academic unit and that occurs off-campus or away from an officially designated classroom. Examples include field trips to off-campus sites and department sponsored group travel to a site where instruction will take place.

Topic: Medical Spanish Lesson 

Time: Jan 31, 2025 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://oklahoma.zoom.us/j/95066331754?pwd=Wi8TFCQDtwFPXU6NkaGb1qwCdKxqzA.1

Meeting ID: 950 6633 1754

Passcode: 57267973

Save The Date—

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration! 

Join us for an inspiring evening as we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This event is open to all students, staff, and faculty. We are honored to welcome Dr. Adeiyewunmi (Ade) Osinubi as our keynote speaker.

Date: Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Reception: 11:30 AM

Program: Noon to 1 PM
Location: Bird Library Auditorium (Room 299)

About Dr. Adeiyewunmi (Ade) Osinubi:

Dr. Osinubi is a documentary filmmaker, photographer, and an Emergency Medicine Resident Physician at the University of Pennsylvania. Her work focuses on sharing the stories of minoritized populations that often go untold. She has produced award-winning documentaries, including "Black Motherhood through the Lens," and has been recognized by Forbes and PBS. Additionally, she has published articles in major outlets like the Washington Post and Teen Vogue on health equity.

RSVP Details:

Please be sure to RSVP by January 15, 2025, to ensure your spot at this special event. You can RSVP to the reception by filling out this link. The program zoom option is available here.

Don't miss this opportunity to hear from an extraordinary individual and celebrate the enduring impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We look forward to seeing you there!

A big thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2024 HSC Big Event! Your dedication to serving others and making a meaningful impact in our community is truly appreciated.

This year, 107 volunteers came together across 8 unique locations to make a difference. Your hard work and enthusiasm did not go unnoticed.

Thank you for being a part of the HSC Big Event family. Your efforts make all the difference!

Spread warmth and cheer this holiday season by joining HSC Student Affairs in our Adopt-A-Patient: Winter Wishes 2024 campaign! HSC Student Affairs partners with the Children’s Hospital to bring joy to patients and their families who must spend the holidays in the hospital. Together with the Children's Hospital, we’re on a mission to make hospital stays a little cozier for young patients and their families.

Here’s how it works:
Once you register, we’ll match you with a patient age group and share gift suggestions if needed. All donations are appreciated! Please drop off unwrapped gifts with HSC Student Affairs in the HSC Student Union, Suite 300, by Thursday, December 12 at 4 PM. We’ll deliver the donations, spreading holiday cheer to patients and families in need.

Registration is open from November 11 – December 12. Let’s make this season unforgettable for these young patients - register for the Adopt-A-Patient Winter Wishes campaign today!

Register for Adopt-a-Patient here.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the 2024 Fall Food Drive a success! Together, we collected 505 pounds of food and raised $181.93 through our online giving page, which provided an incredible 967 meals to those facing hunger in our state through the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.

Your generosity has made a real difference in our community, and we’re truly grateful for your commitment to this important cause. Thank you for being part of this impactful effort!

This fall, HSC Big Event will be partnering with various organizations for a day of service on Saturday, November 16th. Volunteers should gather at the HSC Student Union, 1st floor at 8:15 AM to kickstart the day with breakfast and an opportunity to connect with fellow volunteers before embarking on their service activities.

HSC Big Event is eligible for 3.5 OUCHA hours.

Register for HSC Big Event.

Explore Our Diverse Jobsites

Here's a glimpse of the exciting jobsites available this year:

1. Kids Korral: cleaning and organizing
   • Mission: As a branch of The Toby Keith Foundation, OK Kids Korral is a cost-free, convenient and comfortable home for pediatric cancer patients receiving treatment at The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center, Stephenson Cancer Center and other nearby facilities
2. OKC Beautiful: planting 100 trees
   • Mission: To lead Oklahoma City’s beautification and environmental stewardship through collaboration, education, and advocacy.
3. Oklahoma City Zoo: most likely yardwork, gardening, cleaning, painting, craft preparations, or special events preparation
   • Mission: To connect people with our world's vanishing wildlife and wild places to inspire conservation action.
4. CommonWealth Urban Farms: gardening, native landscaping, and/or composting
   • Mission: To equip a network of urban gardeners, create local jobs, turn local waste into compost, and connect Oklahoma City neighbors in the process.
5. Oklahoma City Humane Society: painting
   • Mission: Works in close partnership with Oklahoma City Animal Welfare (OKC Animal Shelter) and other local shelters. Primary focus is to eliminate the needless euthanasia of healthy, adoptable animals in Oklahoma City. 
6. Myriad Botanical Gardens: Horticulture duties
   • Mission: Myriad Botanical Gardens seeks to increase the quality of life and vibrancy of downtown Oklahoma City by sustaining a world-class public garden and community-building urban green space.
7. Habitat for Humanity: details to come
   • Mission: Works toward our vision by building strength, stability and self-reliance in partnership with families in need of decent and affordable housing.

Register for HSC Big Event. 

Help make a difference in our community this fall by supporting the 2024 Fall Food Drive, benefiting the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma! From October 7 - 27, we’re rallying together to collect donations for those in need—and we need your help to reach our goal!

Drop off cans and non-perishable items at donation boxes located across campus. Most needed items include canned meats (i.e. tuna, chicken, seafood, turkey), canned or dried beans and peas (i.e. black, pinto, lentils), canned and boxed meals (i.e. soup, chili, mac and cheese), pasta rice, cereal, canned fruit and vegetables, and peanut butter.

Drop Off Locations:

Other Ways to Donate:
We’ve created an OU Health Sciences Giving Page for monetary donations. Every dollar you contribute helps the Regional Food Bank provide even more meals to those in need.

If your department is interested in obtaining a box, contact Vanessa Contreras at vanessa-contreras@ouhsc.edu. 

In the realm of human emotions, there exists a natural tendency to avoid unpleasant feelings. Whether it's fear, sadness, anger, or even vulnerability, many of us have developed strategies to sidestep these emotions in hopes of maintaining comfort and stability in our lives. However, what seems like a coping mechanism in the short term can have profound implications for our mental health and overall well-being in the long run.  

Nature of Emotional Avoidance 

Emotional avoidance refers to the deliberate effort to suppress, ignore, or distract oneself from experiencing certain emotions. This behavior can manifest in various forms, and while these tactics may provide temporary relief, they do little to address the underlying issues that give rise to these emotions in the first place. 

• Denial and Suppression: Pretending that certain emotions don't exist or trying to bury them deep within ourselves. 
• Distraction and Busyness: Keeping ourselves constantly busy or preoccupied to avoid facing our emotions directly. 
• Avoidance of Triggers: Steering clear of situations, people, or places that might evoke uncomfortable emotions. 
• Substance Use: Turning to alcohol, drugs, or other substances to numb emotional pain temporarily. 

Consequences of Emotional Avoidance 

• Increased Emotional Intensity: Ironically, avoiding emotions can intensify them over time. Emotions that are not acknowledged or processed tend to linger beneath the surface and can resurface more intensely in the future. 
• Impaired Emotional Regulation: Avoidance interferes with our ability to regulate emotions effectively. Instead of learning to cope with and understand our feelings, we become reliant on avoidance strategies that hinder our emotional growth. 
• Interpersonal Issues: Emotional avoidance can strain relationships. When we avoid our own emotions, we may also inadvertently distance ourselves from others emotionally, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts. 
• Negative Impact on Mental Health: Persistent emotional avoidance is associated with higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. It may prevent us from engaging in the self-reflection and self-care necessary for psychological resilience. 

Embracing Emotional Awareness and Acceptance 

To foster emotional well-being, it is crucial to adopt strategies that promote emotional awareness and acceptance. 

• Mindfulness and Presence: Practicing mindfulness allows us to observe our emotions without judgment or suppression. By acknowledging our feelings as they arise, we can begin to understand their origins and patterns. 
• Healthy Expression and Seeking Support: Finding constructive ways to express emotions, such as journaling, talking to a trusted friend or therapist, or engaging in creative activities, can facilitate emotional processing while identifying healthier coping strategies 
• Self-Compassion: Cultivating self-compassion involves treating ourselves with kindness and understanding, especially during times of emotional distress. It allows us to validate our own experiences and feelings without self-criticism. 

While it may be tempting to avoid unpleasant emotions, doing so ultimately undermines our mental health and overall well-being. By embracing our emotions with courage and compassion, we empower ourselves to cultivate greater emotional resilience and lead more fulfilling lives. Acknowledging our emotions is not a sign of weakness but rather a testament to our strength and capacity for growth. 

In the realm of romantic relationships, the task of maintaining individuality while being part of a partnership is both necessary and challenging. It can be difficult to balance intertwining lives and nurturing personal growth. It is important to share our lives with the people we love while also prioritizing our own care and well-being. 

Understanding Individuality in a Relationship 

When individuals come together in a relationship, they bring their unique personalities, experiences, and goals. However, the merging of lives often leads to a blending of interests, schedules, and values. Maintaining individuality within relationships involves recognizing that each person's individual growth and priorities are essential components of a healthy relationship, which is built upon respect of each other's differences and encouraging personal pursuits alongside shared goals. 

Communication as the Key 

Effective communication lies at the heart of preserving individuality in a relationship. Healthy communication entails about openly discussing personal needs, desires, and boundaries. When partners feel safe expressing themselves without fear of judgment or rejection, they can better understand and support each other's individual desires and experiences. Communication also involves actively listening to your partner's/partners’ feelings and perspectives. These conversations build empathy and strengthen the shared connection while affirming each person's right to their own beliefs and interests. 

Cultivating Autonomy and Developing Shared Interests 

While it's important to maintain separate interests and activities, finding shared experiences and hobbies is important for fun, connection, and increased emotional intimacy. Whether it's exploring new places together, pursuing mutual hobbies, or supporting each other's career goals, these shared experiences can strengthen the relationship while honoring the unique traits that cultivate autonomy and individuality. When individuals feel that their needs and interests are honored within the context of their romantic relationships, empowerment and confidence can be fostered, and relationships are nourished as a result. 

Respecting Differences  

Differences in personalities, experiences, and aspirations are common in any relationship. Instead of viewing these differences as barriers, embracing them as opportunities for learning and growth can enrich your partnership. Celebrating each other's achievements and milestones, even when they differ from your own, creates a supportive environment where individuals can thrive. Recognizing that individual growth is an ongoing process can help those in romantic relationships navigate life's challenges as a team while respecting each other's need for personal fulfillment. 

Nurturing the Balance 

Maintaining individuality within romantic relationships involves nurturing a balance between connection and independence. It requires open, clear communication, mutual respect, and a willingness to support each other's personal growth. By fostering an environment where partners feel valued and empowered to pursue their passions and dreams, you can build a foundation for a fulfilling and lasting relationship where individuality is valued and shared experiences are created in beneficial ways. 

A reference booklet for student organizations who utilize SGA funds.

As a student, it’s important that you be aware of the recent increase in COVID positivity rates and hospitalizations in the state. To help keep all respiratory virus transmission and infection rates low and to manage positive cases when they arise, please be aware of the following CDC-based recommendations.

Looking for a bite to eat? Check out these eateries on or near campus.

The Writing Center is a valuable resource that is available to Health Sciences students at no additional charge. We can help you with nearly any writing project, including course assignments, resumes/CVs, personal statements, and cover letters, and we can assist you at any point in the process – from initial brainstorming to final polishing.

Appointments are available Monday-Thursday 9:00 am–4:00 pm. You can choose to meet in person (Health Sciences Student Union, room 214) or virtually, for either 25 minutes or 50 minutes.

How to Schedule an Appointment: 

• Register for an account at https://ouhsc.mywconline.com
• On the schedule, select an appointment from the available time slots (white blocks)
• Use the appointment end time drop-down menu to set a 25-minute or 50-minute length
• In the “Meet Online?” box, select whether you want to meet in person or online
• Fill in the appointment information and, if desired, attach a document

Where to Go for Your Appointment:

• In-person appointments: Please arrive at the Writing Center (Student Union, Room 214) at your scheduled appointment time, and bring any materials you will need.
• Online appointments: Please be sure your device has internet access and a working microphone. At the time of your appointment, join the video call through the WCOnline schedule by clicking on your appointment, then clicking “Start or Join Online Consultation”

For more information, visit our web page.

The OUHSC Student Government Association (SGA) plays a crucial role in our campus community. Sign up to connect with students from programs across the health sciences and contribute to our vibrant community at OUHSC!

Riding the Wave: The Practice of Urge Surfing

We all have thoughts and behaviors that we would like to reduce in frequency or intensity. These might include use of substances, intrusive thoughts, impulsive behavior, or intense emotional reactions. These impulses and desires can be approached with a unique mindfulness technique called urge surfing.

Instead of avoiding or suppressing the desire, urge surfing encourages individuals to “ride out” the urge. This concept stems from the fact that most impulses subside within 30 minutes if we do not actively ruminate or pay extensive attention to the urge.

How to practice urge surfing?

Urge surfing starts by anchoring yourself in the present moment. This can be achieved through deep breathing or meditation, which help to center the mind and promote awareness of body sensations. Once anchored, attention is shifted towards the rising urge, noticing its physical sensations, thoughts, and emotions without getting entangled in them.

When an urge arises, instead of immediately acting on it or fighting against it, observe it with curiosity, non-judgment, and acceptance. As waves rise and fall in the ocean, so too do cravings and intrusive thoughts ebb and flow in the mind. By noticing the sensations connected with the urge, you begin to realize that they are temporary and fleeting.

Some find it helpful to think figuratively, imagining yourself on a float in the ocean, watching as the wave of craving builds toward its peak and then dissipates, resulting in reduced feelings of distress and increased awareness of the present moment.

The central element to mastering urge surfing lies in cultivating a mindset of self-compassion and understanding. Recognizing that cravings are a natural part of the human experience allows for greater acceptance and resilience as we navigate life’s challenges. Instead of blaming yourself for experiencing cravings or feeling frustrated by their frequency, you begin to develop a mental posture of openness and curiosity. This shift in perspective can be empowering as it results in decreased reactivity, increased self-compassion, and improved self-control.

Research has shown that this practice can be an effective tool in reducing addictive behaviors and managing impulse control challenges. By cultivating mindfulness and non-reactivity, individuals develop greater self-regulation and higher levels of resilience.

The principles underlying urge surfing can provide us more than just a helpful technique – they can be a philosophy for navigating our lives. When we embrace the ebb and flow of our inner experiences with grace and kindness, we are gifted with greater self-awareness and a vehicle for increased connection with those around us.

The next time you experience an urge, instead of fighting against it or giving in to it, try riding the wave and see what insights you might gain in the process!

Conflict within a relationship often gets a bad rap. It's commonly associated with discord, tension, and stress, but what if I told you conflict can be normal and beneficial for a relationship? When managed constructively, conflict can lead to deeper understanding, stronger bonds, and personal growth for all individuals involved. Let's delve into why embracing conflict might just be the key to a healthier relationship.

Normalizing Conflict

First and foremost, it's essential to recognize that conflict is a natural part of any relationship. No individuals are exactly alike, and even the closest of partners will inevitably have differences in opinions, values, and desires. Conflict arises when these differences come to the surface and clash. Instead of viewing conflict as a sign of trouble, we can acknowledge it as an opportunity for growth and improvement.

A Catalyst for Communication

Conflict often serves as a catalyst for communication. When disagreements arise, it prompts partners to express their thoughts, feelings, and concerns openly. This communication, if done respectfully and constructively, can lead to a deeper understanding of each other's perspectives. By actively listening to one another and seeking to understand, partners can strengthen their connection and build trust.

Resolving Misunderstandings

Conflict provides an opportunity to address misunderstandings head-on. Many conflicts stem from miscommunications or differing interpretations of situations. As partners navigate conflicts together, they can learn from each other and grow individually and as a relationship. By engaging in dialogue and clarifying intentions, partners can resolve misunderstandings and prevent future conflicts from escalating. This process fosters empathy and promotes a more harmonious relationship.

Encouraging Compromise and Collaboration

Healthy conflict encourages compromise and collaboration. Instead of focusing solely on "winning" the argument, partners work together to find solutions, or at least a new understanding, that satisfies all parties. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of partnership and reinforces the idea that you're a team, navigating life's challenges together.

Embrace Conflict, Strengthen Your Relationship

In conclusion, conflict within a relationship is not something to always be feared or avoided. When managed constructively, conflict can lead to improved communication, deeper understanding, and personal growth. By embracing conflict as an opportunity for learning and collaboration, partners can strengthen their bond and cultivate a healthier, more resilient relationship. So the next time you find yourselves at odds, remember that conflict can be a steppingstone to a stronger, more fulfilling partnership.

Many couples struggle to maintain romance and connection as time goes on. Opportunities to improve romantic connection with your partner may be more reasonable than you’d think.  
 

Research by relationship specialists such as Bill Doherty, professor of Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of Minnesota, and Dr. John Gottman, author of the book Why Marriages Succeed or Fail, offer sensible ideas for how to strengthen committed relationships. Doherty elucidates that the natural tendency of committed relationships is for communication, appreciation, romance, and affection to decline over time, not due to a growing dislike of each other, but rather they become too comfortable together. Doherty emphasizes the importance of having an approach to stay content in a committed relationship. His major phrase is “the intentional couple,” by which he means partnered individuals need to be aware of their actions, and need to have a plan for cultivating the positive aspects of their committed relationship. 

Enduring love is nurtured by small, everyday moments of connection, according to psychologist Dr. John Gottman of the famed “Love Lab.” Time is an adversary for couples with hectic schedules. However, Dr. Gottman highlights that time spent in routine positive interactions with your partner is essential. Gottman writes how couples are “continually making bids for each other’s attention—introducing a conversation topic, implicitly asking a favor, etc.—and the most successful couples are the ones who continually ‘turn toward’ their partners.” In other words, successful couples say yes to each other’s requests for interaction, attention, and indeed, love. These ordinary daily exchanges help to form a reservoir of love and trust, Dr. Gottman states. 

Rituals of connection are an important method for fruitful relationships and a way of habitually turning towards your partner that can be relied upon. Such rituals are everyday activities or traditions that you share as a couple, which function to reinforce your relational bond. Rituals of connection can look like enjoying coffee together every morning or saying goodnight every evening.  Couples with relationships abundant in rituals, habits, or customs will be better equipped to circumvent the trap of taking each other for granted and will preserve and nurture the positive elements of the relationship over time. 

Here are three important rituals that can help prevent you and your partner from losing appreciation for each other and drifting apart over time. 

1. Schedule two minutes of daily undistracted communication. Dr. Gottman’s research has shown than two minutes of undistracted communication can be more meaningful than sharing an entire distracted week together as a couple. Consider a realistic time of the day that you and your partner could schedule this ritual.  

2. Implement a daily appreciation ritual. According to Gottman, many couples veer towards taking each other for granted quite quickly, and will even progressively concentrate more on trivial shortcomings of the other, all the while ceasing to recognize the positive aspects of their partner. Research indicates that intentionally acknowledging and expressing gratitude for the big and small things your partner does goes a long way.  

3. Establish a daily habit of reunion. According to Doherty, the most significant moment in your committed relationship is when you reunite after being apart and how you greet each other. Doherty states that individuals are more likely to look forward to seeing their partner if they consistently greet each other with warmth. This excitement evaporates when couples are inconsistent with how they greet each other. Furthermore, one can even become fearful of seeing their partner if a previous reunion involved criticism.  

Never undervalue the significance of intentional time spent with your partner. Forming daily or weekly rituals of connection will foster a sense of shared meaning and purpose within a relationship. Schedule time to be together to do fun activities that you both enjoy. Sharing jokes, watching funny films, or anything else that gives you both pleasure can spark passion and sustain connection. In order to preserve one’s committed relationship, research suggests that couples need to mutually commit to regularly spending quality time together.   

Dr. John Gottman proposes that couples pledge to six hours a week together, which entails rituals for saying farewell in the morning and reuniting at the end of the day. Committing to these rituals will support you to reconnect with your partner whenever life gets in the way. 

The Gottman Institute’s blog is an excellent resource if you would like more information.  

The HSC Campus is open for business over Spring Break so students will need to continue to park in their assigned parking areas.  If you have any questions, please call the OUHSC Parking Office at (405) 271-2020.

Congratulations to the remarkable students of the Leadership HSC Class of 2024! Your future is bright, and we can't wait to see the incredible impact you'll make!

SLS can help students resolve their personal legal matters, specifically: name changes, expungements, non-contested divorces and other Family law matters, landlord/tenant conflicts, Power(s) of Attorney and Health care planning, Municipal criminal matters, Collections cases, Immigration questions, and General practice legal matters.

The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) Office of Immigration Services (OIS) provides the following services to our international students to ensure they are supported:

1. Student and Exchange Visitor Program immigration record maintenance
2. Maintenance of status, travel, and employment authorization
3. Immigration change of status to F-1 status
4. Employment authorization including F-1 OPT, STEM OPT, I-983 training plan, and CPT
5. International student resources & attorney workshops on immigration options after
   F-1 status
6. International student forms and handouts
7. Orientation to the US and immigration requirements
8. International Student Programs

The Office of Immigration Services is located in the O'Donoghue Research Building at:

Location:  1122 NE 13th St, Room TB038, Oklahoma City, OK 73117
Phone:  405-271-2189, Ext #5 
Website: https://ou.edu/immigration/hsc-students

Attachment theory focuses on psychological bonds in relationships and suggests that connections with primary caregivers serves as a guide for how we behave in other relationships, including friendships, partners, and our own future children. Our style of attachment impacts our feelings of security, meaning, and ability to build and sustain connection with others. According to research, there are four attachment styles:

Secure Attachment Style: In this attachment style, the caregiver responds to the child’s needs in a positive, consistent, and reliable manner. This type of response sends the general message that people are trustworthy and supportive. Those raised in this environment become trusting, empathetic, and responsive towards others. These individuals can easily forgive, set appropriate boundaries, and honor their own and their partner’s independence. As a result, these individuals possess a healthy view of themselves, are attuned to their emotions, and voice their wants and needs to significant others. These individuals are comfortable with intimacy and not overly preoccupied with their relationship or worried about rejection. Overall, the secure attachment style involves low levels of avoidance and low levels of anxiety.

General Attitude: “It is easy for me to get close to others, and I am comfortable depending on them and having them depend on me. I don’t worry about being abandoned or about someone getting too close to me.”

Avoidant/Dismissive Attachment Style: As its name suggests, this attachment style involves caregivers who are distant, detached, and disregard the child’s needs. In response, the child assumes their needs will not be met and often gives up trying to express their needs. As adults, these individuals pride themselves on being extremely independent and act this way to avoid potential rejection or a perception of being weak. Individuals with this style are uncomfortable with closeness and do not trust others easily. These individuals are emotionally distant, not only uncomfortable with expressing their own needs, but also dismissive or unresponsive to the needs of significant others. Overall, the avoidant attachment style involves high levels of avoidance and low levels of anxiety.

General Attitude: “I am uncomfortable being close to others. I find it difficult to trust and depend on others and prefer that others do not depend on me. It is very important that I feel independent and self-sufficient. My partner wants me to be more intimate than I am comfortable being.”

Anxious/Preoccupied Attachment Style: This caregiver responds inconsistently to the child; sometimes positively responding to their needs and other times ignoring their needs. As a result, the child becomes worried and uncertain about whether their needs will be met. In adulthood, their needs tend to frequently change, and they expect their partners to anticipate and meet these needs. These individuals fear abandonment and are often preoccupied with their relationships, which can lead to jealous, possessive, controlling, or attention seeking behavior. As a result, these individuals may possess features of codependence and insecurity. Overall, the anxious attachment style involves low levels of avoidance and high levels of anxiety.

General Attitude: “I want to be extremely emotionally close with others, but others are reluctant to get as close as I would like. I often worry that my partner doesn’t love or value me and will abandon me. My inordinate need for closeness scares people away.”

Disorganized/Fearful-Avoidant Attachment Style: This caregiver often responds to the child’s needs with aggression or hostility, causing the child to view other people as threatening and unsafe. Consequently, the child becomes confused in relationships and view themselves as undeserving of love and support. As adults, these individuals have difficulty with trust, lack empathy towards others, and are worried about their partner’s commitment. These individuals engage in a push/pull dynamic, sometimes wanting intimacy and other times not wanting intimacy. These individuals struggle to understand their emotions and downplay the importance of relationships. Overall, the disorganized attachment style involves high levels of avoidance and high levels of anxiety.

General Attitude: “I am uncomfortable getting close to others and find it difficult to trust and depend on them. I worry I will be hurt if I get close to my partner.”

Attachment styles learned through childhood can change.

When we enter relationships, each partner brings their own unresolved needs or fears. Partners often have different attachment styles, which guides their beliefs and behaviors within the relationship. To work towards a secure attachment style within your relationships, try engaging in some of these strategies:

1. Explore your own attachment style. Take a quiz here: https://quiz.attachmentproject.com/
2. Watch for avoidance and anxiety responses within your relationship.
3. Communicate more openly and directly about needs and fears.
   1. Check out our past article about difficult conversations: https://students.ouhsc.edu/Current-Students/Student-Wellbeing/Student-Wellness/Wellness-Articles/how-to-have-difficult-conversations)
4. Learn more about attachment theory in general:

• Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How it Can Help You Find and Keep Love by Amir Levine, M.D. and Rachel S. F. Heller, M.A.
• Wired for Love: How Understanding Your Partner's Brain and Attachment Style Can Help You Defuse Conflict and Build a Secure Relationship by Stan Tatkin
• TedTalk: Put on Your Attachment Hat & Change your Romantic Attachment Style -- Ashley Harvey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHpdf4ekrXM

Additionally, if you feel you could benefit from professional counseling, contact OU HSC Counseling Services at 405-271-7336  or counselors@ouhsc.edu. To protect your confidentiality, please limit your e-mail messages to scheduling information. You can also find us in Suite 300 in the HSC Student Union. Come by Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and speak with our administrative assistant about making an appointment

If you haven’t read the past article on criticism (Link here), it may be helpful to get a quick refresher. If you don’t have time to read the first blog post, this semester, we are taking a deeper dive into Gottman’s Four Horsemen: criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling. This month, we are digging in further on defensiveness.

Defensiveness is an attempt to defend oneself from a perceived attack. Many times, individuals become defensive when they are being criticized. While defensiveness feels like a protective way to respond, it creates blame around your partner(s) and escalates the conflict. For example, defensiveness may look like “I’m not the problem, it’s you” in a conflict. Defensiveness is just a way to blame your partner.

So how do we challenge defensiveness? The best way is to take responsibility for even a small part of the problem. Conflict doesn’t happen inside of a vacuum, so it is crucial to take accountability. In turn, this will reduce tension, decrease escalation and helps your partner(s) to feel heard and understood.

Example, John tells his partner, Alex, "I think we should try saving money by cooking at home more often." Alex responds by noting, "Well, it's not like I'm the only one spending money. You bought those video games last week."  John chooses to take responsibility and note, "You're right. I've been spending too much too. Let's work together on cutting down expenses, starting with cooking at home."

In the first example, Alex responds defensively by deflecting the suggestion and pointing out something John did. In the second example, Alex takes responsibility for their actions and agrees to work on the issue together. In conclusion, it is crucial to take responsibility in conflict to increase connection!

Conflict is normal in every relationship although not all conflict is created equal. Conflict can provide a space for an individual to increase understanding, trust, and positive connection. Contrarily, when conflict becomes negative, frustration, conflict, isolation, withdrawal, and negative interpretation follow. The next four relationship blog posts will take a deeper dive into Dr. Gottman’s research on the four horsemen of the apocalypse: criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling.

Before we get started, let's debunk the myth that happy couples do not experience the four horsemen. ALL couples will experience some of the four horsemen but today we will focus on the most common, criticism. Criticism is focused on your partner(s) character or personality flaws rather than on what you would like them to do differently. When we focus the issue on the other person, it implies that there is something wrong with your partner(s) or their personality. Criticism is commonly viewed as an attack that can look like blaming or name-calling.

An example of what criticism might look like is: “You are always worrying about yourself. You never care about what I have to say” or “You said you would take out the trash and it’s still sitting here… You never do what you say you will.” As you can imagine, this typically leads to the other person(people) feeling hurt.

So how do we fix it? The opposite of criticism is using a gentle startup and asking for a specific behavior change utilizing I feel statements, providing clear direction, and expressing your needs politely. Example: “I feel upset that you left the dirty dishes on the counter. I would appreciate it if you would please clean the kitchen prior to going to bed every night.” 

Once you nail this down, it is also important to validate and give appreciation when your partner(s) have done what you wanted. For example: “It felt so great to wake up to a clean house on Tuesday. Thank you for your help!”

Overall, utilizing I feel statements, providing clear direction, and expressing your needs politely will aid in moving towards a gentle startup and away from criticism.

As it relates to interpersonal dynamics, few emotions are as destructive as contempt. Often referred to as the "silent relationship killer," contempt is a deadly force that erodes the very foundation of relationships. Dr. John Gottman's extensive research has revealed that contempt is detrimental to communication and a possible predictor of relationship failure. In this exploration, we will dive deeper into the sinister nature of contempt, its lethal effects, and strategies to remove it from our interactions.

The Anatomy of Contempt: Contempt is not just another negative emotion; it's a unique blend of anger, superiority, and disgust. It is born from habitually looking for flaws in your partner. This search for faults is often followed by actions such as sarcasm, mocking, eye-rolling, and even overt verbal abuse. Once present, contempt can erode the essential fabric of a relationship - empathy, respect, and emotional connection.

The Poisonous Effects of Contempt: Contempt has the power to infiltrate a relationship on multiple levels:

1. Communication Breakdown: Contempt cultivates an atmosphere where healthy communication becomes nearly impossible. When one partner feels disrespected or belittled, defensiveness may result, causing conflicts to worsen.
2. Emotional Disconnection: The presence of contempt creates emotional distance between partners. When one feels disregarded or devalued, one’s attachment and sense of security deteriorate, eroding the emotional bond.
3. Deterioration of Self-Esteem: Continuous exposure to contempt can damage self-esteem. If one partner is consistently receiving ridicule or disrespect, they might internalize these negative beliefs about themselves.
4. Lack of Intimacy: Intimacy thrives on vulnerability and trust. Contempt, however, promotes a hostile environment that dissuades sharing feelings and experiences, further undermining intimacy.

Breaking the Contempt Cycle: To combat contempt, a concerted and intentional effort from both partners is crucial:

1. Cultivate Empathy: Contempt thrives on dehumanization. Focus on understanding your partner's perspective and feelings. Engaging in empathetic responses to your partner can aid in repairing the damage created by contemptuous thoughts and actions.
2. Practice Active Listening: Instead of downplaying your partner's concerns, actively listen to what they're saying. Provide them your full attention, validate their emotions, and respond in a thoughtful, caring, and compassionate manner.
3. Replace Contempt with Appreciation: Overcome contempt by intentionally shifting your focus to your partner's positive attributes. Express appreciation and affection frequently to reestablish a sense of attachment and admiration.
4. Seek Professional Help: Sometimes, the damage caused by contempt requires professional intervention. Couples therapy can provide a secure environment to address underlying issues, learn healthier communication strategies, and rebuild trust.
5. Mindfulness and Self-Awareness: Personal growth is critical for stopping the cycle of contempt. Commit yourself to self-reflection so that you better understand the source of your feelings and responses. Mindfulness can help you pause and choose healthier reactions.
6. Foster Humor and Playfulness: Contempt often replaces laughter and playfulness with negativity. Reintroduce light-heartedness, playfulness, and humor into your interactions to lessen the toxicity contempt has created.

The Road to Transformation: Replacing contempt with genuine respect, admiration, and empathy is a journey that necessitates time, patience, and dedication. The process begins with recognizing its presence and the harm it causes the relationship. Both partners must be committed to changing their style and pattern of communication while nurturing a renewed sense of understanding and admiration for one another. By nurturing respect, empathy, and effective communication, couples reclaim the relationship lost to contempt and reignite the passion and joy of a harmonious and fulfilling partnership.

Healthcare professionals are often seen as the pillars of compassion and care, dedicating their lives to healing and alleviating suffering. However, beneath their white coats and stethoscopes, many dedicated individuals grapple with an under-discussed issue: moral injury. This blog post will delve into moral injury, its significance in healthcare, and ways to address and prevent its impact.

Understanding Moral Injury

Moral injury in healthcare professionals occurs when they find themselves caught in situations that challenge their core values and ethical beliefs. These situations can include decisions involving end-of-life care, resource allocation, medical errors, and even witnessing a colleague's actions that conflict with their own moral compass. Unlike burnout, which is often associated with exhaustion and emotional depletion, moral injury revolves around feelings of guilt, shame, and profound moral distress.

The Impact of Moral Injury

Moral injury can have far-reaching consequences on healthcare professionals' mental and emotional well-being. The internal conflict arising from compromised values can lead to self-doubt, anxiety, depression, and, in severe cases, even suicidal ideation. Moreover, the erosion of trust in one's own moral foundation can negatively influence job satisfaction and overall performance, potentially jeopardizing patient care.

Factors Contributing to Moral Injury

Several factors contribute to the development of moral injury in healthcare professionals:

1. Resource Limitations: In environments with limited resources, healthcare providers may be forced to make difficult decisions about patient care, leading to ethical conflicts.
2. Hierarchy and Culture: Hierarchical structures and rigid workplace cultures may discourage open discussions about ethical concerns, making it challenging for professionals to address moral dilemmas.
3. Lack of Support: A lack of support systems or safe spaces to process challenging experiences can exacerbate the effects of moral injury.
4. High Expectations: The burden of being expected to "do no harm" at all costs can place immense pressure on healthcare providers, especially when faced with complex situations.

Prevention and Mitigation

Addressing moral injury requires a multi-faceted approach:

1. Education and Training: Providing healthcare professionals with ethical decision-making skills and scenarios can empower them to navigate complex situations while upholding their values.
2. Open Communication: It is crucial to foster a culture where healthcare professionals can openly discuss their ethical concerns without fear of retribution.
3. Supportive Environments: Establishing support systems, such as peer support groups or access to mental health resources, can help professionals process moral distress.
4. Ethics Consultations: Implementing ethics consultations can offer guidance in challenging cases and help professionals make decisions that align with their values.

In Conclusion

Moral injury in healthcare professionals is a profound and complex issue that demands attention. As a society, we must recognize these individuals' challenges and provide them with the necessary tools and support to navigate ethical dilemmas while maintaining their well-being. By fostering open dialogues, promoting education, and creating environments that value both patient care and healthcare professionals' mental health, we can work towards minimizing the impact of moral injury and ensuring the delivery of ethical and compassionate healthcare.

Thank you to everyone who generously participated in our Adopt-A-Patient: Winter Wishes 2023 campaign! We're thrilled to announce that this year's initiative was a tremendous success, with a record-breaking total of 223 patients adopted – the largest number ever!

Your support has made a significant impact on the lives of patients and families at the Children's Hospital. Your donations have made a difference in the lives of those facing challenging times.

We want to express our sincere appreciation to everyone who donated and participated. Your commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others is truly inspiring.

Stay tuned for updates on future campaigns, and once again, thank you for your incredible support!

We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who attended the 2023 HSC Big Event. Your commitment to service and dedication to making a positive impact in our community did not go unnoticed. 

With 94 attendees spread across 9 diverse locations, your collective efforts made a significant difference.

From Volunteers:
“It's a great way to give back as a student group to our city, representing OUHSC. I enjoyed the opportunity to connect with other students around campus while being outdoors and helping out with the tasks at the Myriad Gardens.” - Zaki Rizvi, Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing

“The big event is such a great experience and provides a firm foundation for an easy way to give back to the community.” - Grace Cummins, College of Allied Health

“Memorable and beautiful experience!” - Yashaswi Joshi, Hudson College of Public Health

“I had a really nice time meeting the other students on campus. It was nice to see that there are so many of us in the medical field. Thank you for hosting this event!” - Eric Messick, College of Medicine

Your volunteerism is not just a service; it's an inspiration to others in our community. Together, we are making a positive difference in Oklahoma City, and for that, we extend our sincere thanks.

Thank you for being a part of the HSC Big Event family. Your contributions matter.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the 2023 Fall Food Drive. Your generosity resulted in an impressive 663 pounds of food, providing around 550 meals for those in need through the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.

Your support made a tangible impact on our community, and we're grateful for your commitment to making a difference. Thank you for being a part of this meaningful initiative.

For groups with SGA funds, the expenditure authorization form must be completed and approved before any payment is sent from SGA.

Explore the artwork that exists on the OUHSC Campus in OKC! Click to download a walking guide for campus artwork.

Awards by Academic College

HUDSON COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH

David J. Falcone Memorial Award - Lauryn McAdam

Joan K. Leavitt Award - McKenzie Cowlbeck

Outstanding Senior Leadership Award, Hudson College of Public Health – Araya Assfaw

COLLEGE OF PHARMACY

Mosier Outstanding Senior Award – Trenton Flanagan

Oklahoma Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists Award - Gabrielle Ford

Oklahoma Pharmacists Association Awards - Michael Brown, Victoria Macdonald

Outstanding Senior Leadership Award, College of Pharmacy – Destiny Matthews

COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY

Michael E. Lindley American Student Dental Association Award - Annie Jamison

American Student Dental Association Award of Excellence - Lauren Kaufmann

Dean's Award for Academic Excellence - Paige Williams – Dental Hygiene, Jerame Littell – Dental Surgery

Parents Association Outstanding Student, Dentistry - Sara Schultheis

Outstanding Senior Leadership Award, College of Dentistry – Cara Worsham-Miller

COLLEGE OF ALLIED HEALTH

Shelley Campbell Beal Scholarship - Piper Allred, Addie Watkins

Jeanette Gimenez Holmes Memorial Scholarship - Natosha Dearing

Hazzard Family Scholarship - Jaden Biswell, Kathy Lee

Patsy A. Johnson Endowed Scholarship - Marissa Hoerman, Tisha Pinder

Graham and Kelley Reeve Endowed Scholarship - Leslie Berry

Parents Association Outstanding Student, Allied Health - Alexa Gray

OU Regents’ Award for Outstanding Junior - Alison Hunt

Outstanding Senior Leadership Award, College of Allied Health – Hannah Wittenback

HSC GRADUATE COLLEGE

Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award – Sarah Ocanas

O. Ray Kling Award for Outstanding Graduate Student Leadership – Nicole Crossley

Robert M. Bird Society Award – Ujjwol Khatri

Outstanding Senior Leadership Award, HSC Graduate College – Ameera Hasan

FRAN AND EARL ZIEGLER COLLEGE OF NURSING

Outstanding Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Students - Kendra Grasser, Samantha Hughes, Karina Novak, Lillian Schultz

Fran & Earl Ziegler College of Nursing Top Scholars - Breashay Burke, Rachel Hallett, Kirsten Hesita, Sophia Mitra, Kylie Prys, Hannah Walthall

Outstanding Nursing Leader - Meagan Knapp

Parents Association Outstanding Student, Nursing - Riyanna Williams

Outstanding Senior Leadership Award, Fran & Earl Ziegler College of Nursing – Megan Cardenas

COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

2022-2023 Student Today, Alumni Tomorrow Award - Derek Nguyen, Melissa Onyekuru

Physician Associate Student Leadership Award - Kylee Nutter, Rachel Spencer

Outstanding Senior Leadership Award, College of Medicine – Preeti Mohan

Departmental Awards

Interdisciplinary Student Leadership Award

• Tram Le – College of Medicine
• Samantha Swafford – College of Pharmacy

Walter Mason Scholarship

• Mubarika Ali – College of Dentistry
• Kristina Aryee – Ziegler College of Nursing

Group Recognitions

HSC Student Counseling Services Student Advisory Board

• Sevda Abolhassanpourmaleki
• Ryan Attey
• Zsofia Balla
• Emma Brown
• Isabella Demco
• Rachel Dolan
• Kristina Gurian
• Jaliyah James
• Supriya Kohli
• Abigail Morgan
• Tejal Patel
• Carson Taber
• Micah Thorley

HSC Crimson Club, New Members

• Andee Allen
• Marisa Bickel
• Cody Bynum
• Kaitlin Carpenter
• Allison Curry
• Noah Demoss
• Ritvik Ganguly
• Brooke Hester
• Julie Hodgden
• Srikar Kommareddy
• Clarissa Leal
• Maureen Marrs
• Trenton McAreavey
• Abigail Morgan
• Kalyn Neighbors
• Huy Nhan
• Prince Ohene-Nyako
• Sophia Parker
• Brooke Robbins
• Paige Roberts
• Emma Sampson
• Ritu Shah
• Riley Stayton
• Sarah Sullivan
• Paige Woolery

Crimson Club, Graduating Members

• Bre'Ana Byrd
• Gage Calhoon
• Brittnie Camper
• Anna Condacse
• McKenzie Cowlbeck
• Anna Donovan
• Garrett Eakers
• Tanara Ellis
• Reety Erwin
• Trenton Flanagan
• Gabrielle Ford
• Cardin Hart
• Landon Hendrickson
• Jeremy Interrante
• Joel Jacob
• Akriti Jalla
• Annie Jamison
• Autumn Jones
• Haley Kuck
• Logan Krivanek
• Kyle Langford
• Tram Le
• Derek Nguyen
• Rebecca Nguyen
• Christiana Obioma
• Melissa Onyekuru
• Blaire Scott
• Analee Stallings
• Logan Vowels
• Tyler Whitney
• Cara Worsham-Miller
• Nathan Wibisono
• Katelyn Wilson

HSC Sooner Standard

• Danielle Amos §
• Ashton Boda §
• John Ryan Bonaobra •
• Megan Cardenas §
• Tara Curb •
• Katelyn Davis §
• Rachel Gering §
• Kendra Grasser §
• Diane Hollingsworth §
• Jerame Littell §
• Lauren McCarty §
• Ellie Roberts §
• Madilyn Snyder §
• Teresa Vu §
• Cara Worsham-Miller §
• Kaci Ballard •
• Evan Burchfield •
• Jacqueline Hernandez •
• Jessica Isaac •
• Logan Krivanek •
• Samantha Landreth •
• Madeline Mee •
• Janet Mendez •
• Catherine Oberpriller •
• Hannah Pearcy •
• Rebecca Puls •
• Hilary Smiley•
• Samantha Stoneking •
• Abby Stout •
• Badia Tiger •
• Jerri Wilson •
• Natalie Zhang •

• Green cord signifying a high amount of volunteer hours.

 § Blue cord signifying the highest amount of volunteer hours.

Leadership HSC

• Oluwadamilola Adegun
• Andee Allen
• Madeline Allen
• Reagan Amason
• Brianna Anduss
• Jane Brown
• Cody Bynum
• Taylor Carmen
• Kaitlin Carpenter
• Mika Cheng
• Elijah Cloud
• Prita Dhaimade
• Andrew Dickey
• Brandon Frisby
• Corinne Givens
• Sharee Goodno
• Abu Nasim Haider
• Megan Hanson
• Kylene Harold
• Brooke Hester
• Julie Hodgden
• Kandi Hohenberger
• Brandon Holler
• Daryle Hudson
• Alison Hunt
• Audry Jacks
• Hudia Jamshed
• Clarissa Leal
• Finess Lekwa
• Hanxia Li
• Jordan Lundeen
• Mackenzie McCormack
• Amanda McDaniel
• Brianna McGowan
• Janet Mendez
• Shelby Moore
• Kalyn Neighbors
• Prince Ohene-Nyako
• Gabriela Pineros
• Michaela Powers
• Kelsey Raney
• MaKayla Ratajczyk
• Noah Sanders
• Carson Sandvik
• Chantal Schofield
• Christopher Serwanga
• JaLisa Shaw
• Crosbi Shelby
• Graham Starr
• Kara Thompson
• Madeline Waldvogel
• Paige Woolery
• Jordan Zimmerman

HSC Student Government Association Recognitions

2022-2023 HSC Student Government Association Executive Board

President - Eric Edwards – College of Pharmacy

Vice President & Senate Chair - Isha Jhingan – College of Medicine

Secretary - Tanara Ellis – College of Pharmacy

Treasurer - Joel Fowler – College of Medicine

Campus Activities Board Chair - Akriti Jalla – College of Medicine

2022-2023 HSC Student Government Association Executive Council and Student Senate

HSC College Presidents

Alexa Gray – College of Allied Health

Carley Abbott – College of Dentistry

AnnElizabeth Tebow – College of Medicine, MD

Kristin Strong – College of Medicine, PA

Meagan Knapp – Ziegler College of Nursing

Maria Tadros – College of Pharmacy

Whitney Kerr – Hudson College of Public Health

Janet Faakye – HSC Graduate College

Multicultural Student Organization Presidents

African American Student Association

• Tanara Ellis
• Melissa Onyekuru

Asian American Professional Student Association

• Khanh Do
• Mary Sohn

Hispanic American Student Association

• Fernando Hernandez
• Sergio Preciado

International Student Association

• Joanna Papinska

Lumina: Queer Student Alliance

• Austin McCauley

Muslim Health Professional Student Association

• Saleem Batman
• Rida Raza

Native American Student Association

• Julie Perry

Oklahoma City Chinese Students and Scholars Association

• Lijie Gu

Veterans and Military Alliance

• Jeremy Interrante

HSC Student Government Association Event Chairs

All College Chairs

• Gage Calhoon
• Colby Chamberlin
• Elizabeth Lanham
• Braydon Moore

Big Event Chairs

• Constance Hayes
• Baylee Stevens

Diversity Chairs

• Blessing Akinwale
• Khanh Do
• Akashdeep Mahal

Health and Wellness Chairs

• Brooke Robbins
• Mary Sohn

Sooner Safety Chairs

• Christina Bruxvoort
• Meggie Logan

Blood Drive Chair

• Utty Steward

Student Liaisons

Parking Liaison

• Husayn Ramji

IT Liaison

• Srikar Kommareddy

Interdisciplinary Education Liaisons

• Taylor McLarty
• Ozair Naqvi

Sooners Helping Sooners Liaisons

• Micah Byrne
• Arjun Nanda

HSC Student Government Association  Student Senators

College of Allied Health

• Danielle Amos
• Emily Chaffin
• Gabriela Pineros
• Jayden Sarabia
• Hannah Wittenback

College of Dentistry

• Alexandra Ahearn
• Areicy Hausburg
• Chelsy McCormick
• Blake Shadwick

HSC Graduate College

• Marissa Bickel
• Abbi Morgan

 College of Medicine

• Noah DeMoss
• Tejesh Guddanti
• Megan Hanson
• Hayden Jackson
• Hyoshin Fred Kwon
• Huy Nhan
• Claire O’Meilia
• Jay Patel
• Neal Rangu
• Robert Walker

Fran & Earl Ziegler College of Nursing

• Megan Bauman
• Madison Colclazier
• Anya Dickinson
• Rose Hlavenka
• Riyanna Williams

College of Pharmacy

• Que Chance
• Meggie Logan
• Taylor McLarty
• Mardi Wisdom

Hudson College of Public Health

• April Lopez
• Shefali Patel

HSC SGA Senator of the Year Award – Meggie Logan – College of Pharmacy

HSC SGA Member of the Year Award – Janet Faakye – HSC Graduate College

HSC SGA Tanya L. Mustin Staff Excellence Award – Sam Betty – HSC Student Affairs

HSC SGA Robert A. Magarian Faculty Award – Dr. Marianna Wetherill – Hudson College of Public Health

Multicultural Achievement Awards

• First American/Native Community – Katie Griffin – College of Pharmacy
• Hispanic/Latinx Community – April Lopez – Hudson College of Public Health
• Black/African American Community – Tanara Ellis – College of Pharmacy
• International Community – Araya Assfaw – Hudson College of Public Health
• Asian/Asian American Community – Derek Nguyen – College of Medicine

Outstanding Registered Student  Organization Adviser Award – Meredith Talley

Outstanding Registered Student Organization Award – Asian American Professional Student Association

Outstanding First Year Leadership Award – Reagan Amason – College of Medicine

Willie V. Bryan Multicultural Student Of the Year Award – Destiny Matthews – College of Pharmacy

Joseph J. Ferretti Outstanding Senior Leadership Award – Khanh Do – College of Medicine

Recommended

The reimbursement form used by groups who utilize SGA funding.

The annual allocation overview for Student Groups requesting the use of Student Government Association funds.

A waiver for Registered Student Organizations to utilize for events.

A consent form for University sponsored events, such as Student Government Association or Student Council events.

There are three types of student groups at OUHSC.

All events with minors (anyone under 18 years of age) must be reported in advance and coordinated with Enterprise Risk Management.

Do you have difficulty falling asleep? Does it take more than 20 minutes for you to fall asleep? Do you agree with the statement, “wired but tired?” Initiating sleep is a common challenge for many in the United States. Sleep issues can occur for many different reasons. One reason is poor sleep hygiene. Sleep hygiene relates to the quality of your sleep routine or lack thereof. If you struggle with falling asleep or staying asleep, improving your sleep hygiene can be extremely effective. A strong sleep hygiene can train your brain to recognize when it is time to go to sleep. Try these effective sleep hygiene steps:

Sleep and Wake Time

I know how hard this is, but going to bed and waking up at the same time everyday is incredibly helpful in training your body to go to sleep on time. What about the weekends? Keeping the schedule the same has the strongest impact, but if you just have to sleep more on the weekends, try to keep your schedule within an hour of the regular weekday time.

Minimize Napping

Napping can cause problems for the natural development of melatonin in your system. This impact can cause falling asleep at night much harder and cause problems with establishing a schedule. If you have to nap, keep it at or under 30 minutes and away from bedtime.

Evaluate Your Sleep Environment

Ideally your bedroom should be dedicated to sleep. Strive for an environment that is dark, quiet, and has a comfortable temperature. Set your bed up in a way that encourages you to fall asleep. Avoid doing anything in your bed except for sleep and sex. Anything you do, besides sleep, in the bed causes the brain to associate the bed with activities other than sleep, thus decreasing the chance of falling asleep.

Exercise

Exercise can be really helpful to sleep. An active lifestyle can improve sleep onset and duration. However, exercise should be avoided 1-2 hours before bedtime. Engaging in exercise during this timeframe can result in body temperature regulation difficulties that can result in a sleepless night.

Things to Avoid

Caffeine has a half-life of about 10 hours. As such caffeine consumed after lunchtime can cause challenges in initiating sleep. Alcohol does lead to a quicker onset of sleep, but it causes erratic sleep throughout the night, which will ultimately result in increased difficulties with falling asleep when desired. Additionally, avoid looking at the clock. Looking at the clock when trying to fall asleep often causes frustration, which in turn will increase how long it takes to fall asleep.

Quality of sleep is a challenge for many of us. However, sometimes it can be a symptom of something more serious. Sleep can be disrupted by our emotional state, behavior, and/or our physiology. If you feel your sleep difficulties are severe or a major concern for you, I encourage you to seek out a professional diagnosis. If you need help with sleep hygiene or are concerned that you may suffer from insomnia, the University Counseling Center provides counseling services, both in-person and on-line.

Additional Resources

https://www.healthquality.va.gov/guidelines/CD/insomnia/TrifectaInsomniaSeverityIndexFillable910162020.pdf Free insomnia screener

http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/ Dig deeper into healthy sleep

https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/your-sleep-checklist helpful sleep tip checklist

College of Medicine

Student Today, Alumni Tomorrow Award:

Liz Kornfeld

Brad Miyake

Physician Associate Student Leadership Award:

Rachel Brinkerhoff

Allyson Niblett

Outstanding Senior Leadership Award (COM):

Auston Stiefer

Hudson College of Public Health

Oklahoma Hospital Association David J. Falcone Award:

Madison Rhodes

Joan K. Leavitt Award:

Megan Eisele

Outstanding Senior Leadership Award (HCOPH):

Megan Eisele

College of Pharmacy

Oklahoma Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists Award:

Kaley Hornaday

Oklahoma Pharmacists Association Awards:

Brandon Taylor

Brok Williams

Outstanding Senior Leadership Award (COP):

Dominique Ropp

College of Dentistry

Dean's Award for Academic Excellence:

Alex Kirkpatrick

William E. Brown Service Award for Dental Hygiene:

Anna Boucher

William E. Brown Service Award for Dental Surgery:

Alexander Soderfelt

Outstanding Senior Leadership Award (COD):

Ali Agee

College of Allied Health

Dean’s Award for Excellence in Clinical Practice:

Miranda Bartheld – Speech-Language Pathology

Hayley Bergner – Nuclear Medicine

Mika Bullard – Radiation Therapy

Keithen Faerber – Physical Therapy

Emily Heiliger - Sonography

Isabella Hillerby - Audiology

Alexandra Speer – Occupational Therapy

Matthew Spurling - Radiography

Claire Tunnell – Clinical Dietetics

Parents Association Outstanding Student:

Karlee Doak

Outstanding Senior Leadership Award (COAH):

Briana Kuestersteffen

HSC Graduate College

Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award:

Kimberlie Wittig

Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award:

Benjamin Gochanour

O. Ray Kling Award for Outstanding Graduate Student Leadership:

Nicole Giordano

Robert M. Bird Society Award:

Martha Blaess

Outstanding Senior Leadership Award (GC):

Nicole Giordano

Fran & Earl Ziegler College of Nursing

Ziegler College of Nursing Distinguished Scholars:

Kaitlyn Zimmerman (Traditional BSN)

Elena Lubowsky (Accelerated BSN)

Cynthia Hodge (Graduate Nursing)

OU Regents’ Award for Outstanding Junior:

Riyanna Williams

Parents Association Outstanding Student:

Natalie Sotomayor

Outstanding Senior Leadership Award (ZCON):

Madeline Waldvogel

Interdisciplinary Student Leadership Award

Georgia Chen Shun

Walter Mason Scholarship

Dominique Williams

Eva Longoria

HSC Student Counseling Services Advisory Board

Blessing Akinwale

Aleksandra Bylinkska

Tanara Ellis

Ellie Gribble

Genna Ille

Isha Jhingan

Ketevan Mdzinarishvili

Younji (Mary) Sohn

Sheeva Sowdagar

HSC Crimson Club

New Members:

Micah Byrne

Brittnie Camper

Emily Carter

Colby Chamblin

McKenzie Cowlbeck

Dustin Dang

Tanara Ellis

Reety Erwin

Trenton Flanagan

Fernando Hernandez

Marlee Hill

Manas Kommareddi

Logan Krivanek

Kyle Langford

BreAnna Le

Zach Lessau

Chelsy McCormick

Alice Moon

Lauren Olay

Ty Reasnor

Ranim Shawreb

Kylee Stone

Carson Taber

Logan Vowels

Katelyn Wilson

Graduating Members:

Ali Agee

Emily Brooks

Jenni Burzycki

Preston Choi

Casey Crane

Megan Eisele

Sarah Elkoubysi

Emily Frech Preciado

Jessica James

Sidney Hiller

Christine Hoang

Nichole Krug

Baffour Kyerematen

Silas Martin

Lauren Miller

Taylor Nguyen

Reilly Nowland

Husayn Ramji

Megan Smith

Thanh Truong

Dat Vu

Kimberlie Wittig

HSC Sooner Standard

Ali Agee §

Miranda Bartheld •

Stacy Bendure •

Anna Boucher §

Emily Brooks §

Caitlyn Carl §

Megan Eisele §

Emily Frech Preciado §

Amy Gin •

Jessica James §

Justina Mayer §

Michelle Nguyen §

Bethany Roberts §

Bradley Smiling §

Georgia Chen Sun §

Thanh Truong •

Madeline Waldvogel §

Marielle Wilkerson §

• Green cord signifying a high amount of volunteer hours.

 § Blue cord signifying the highest amount of volunteer hours.

HSC Student Government Association Awards

HSC Student Government Association Senator of the Year:

John Luke Garber – College of Pharmacy

HSC Student Government Association Members of the Year:

Fernando Hernandez – College of Medicine

Sergio Preciado – College of Medicine

HSC SGA Tanya Mustin Staff Excellence Award

Trisha Wilhelm – College of Pharmacy

HSC SGA Robert Magarian Faculty Award

Dr. Sandra H. Arnold – College of Allied Health

Multicultural Achievement Awards

Nicole Churchill, First American student community – College of Nursing

Chelsea Ton, Asian/Asian American student community – College of Pharmacy

Brian Montes, Hispanic/Latinx student community – College of Nursing

Tagne Doresse Tehuicate, Black/African American student community – College of Pharmacy

Yuan Sui, International student community – Graduate College

Outstanding Registered Student Organization Adviser

Darci Bray, African American Student Association Adviser – College of Allied Health

Outstanding Registered Student Organization

LUMINA: Queer Student Alliance

Outstanding First Year Leadership Award

Isha Jhingan – College of Medicine

Willie V. Bryan Multicultural Student of the Year

Khanh Do – College of Medicine and Graduate College

Joseph J. Ferretti Outstanding Senior Leadership

Nichole Krug – College of Pharmacy

Recommended

One of the first steps in engaging in difficult conversations with others is to better know and understand yourself. Often times we have something that we want to talk about and our energy pushes us to have a dialogue when we have not yet taken inventory of why we want to have the conversation, what our goal in the conversation is, what values are guiding us, and what we might expect regarding another’s response. Furthermore, conversations that cover “hot topics” around culture and diversity can be even more challenging, including conversations about racism, immigration, sexism, gender, marriage equality, gun violence, reproductive rights, classism, religious differences, ableism, marginalization, and more. All people can engage courageously and effectively on important matters critical to our collective well-being, and constructive conversations can be used by all who are willing and open to engaging regardless of your particular cultural group or political outlook. Constructive conversations do not have to be structured by a “one and done” model and most of these kinds of conversations will likely be one that involves all parties talking, listening, and communicating collaboratively sometimes over multiple occasions.

By focusing internally on factors such as our personality, emotional reactions, goals, and values, and developing useful skills from this place of self-reflection and self-understanding, we can exponentially enhance the success of difficult dialogues on culture and diversity. This in turn makes it easier to take risks, even when emotions are strong, stakes are high, and outcomes are uncertain. In order to have constructive conversations, you must be strong and brave; accept that the journey will not always be easy, and you will certainly not feel good all the time. Additionally, one must accept that not seeking constructive dialogue may in fact be a more precarious alternative. Otherwise, why would you be looking to have these kinds of conversations in the first place?

In an 8-step model called the Kim Constructive Conversations Model (KCCM) developed by Drs. Kim and Del Prado, they outline the following as imperative steps in approaching difficult conversations.

Step 1: Identify your goal

Firstly, ground yourself with something that helps to calm your mind. Examples include meditation, taking deep breaths, making yourself a cup of your favorite drink and savoring every sip, or listening to calming music. Grounding helps us to examine why we have chosen the goals that we have, which can in turn enrichen the meaning and substance of these goals. With your body and mind in a more grounded, intentional place, clearly articulate your goal for wanting to have a constructive conversation; simultaneously, consider the presence of any strong emotions that are connected to your intentions. Understanding why you wish to have a constructive conversation, including why you might be angry, afraid, or hurting, is a critically important step in developing a viable goal.

Step 2: Acknowledge the barriers to engaging in a given constructive conversation

Secondly, do we know what our individual barriers might be? It is important to lean in with a gentle curiosity to find out more about what personal hurdles might be in the way of accomplishing your goal; be real with yourself about your subjectivity, blind spots, and even your deficits. Ask yourself, is there anything about the goal I identified that is personally difficult for me? Internal barriers can include personalized thoughts, behaviors, and feelings that stop us from pursuing our chosen goals; external barriers can include social norms, and the specific person you hope to talk with. If you fail to identify them, barriers will likely win and your constructive conversation will cease to happen. Defensiveness, fatigue, avoidance, social norms, privilege, and marginalized identity are examples of barriers. It is up to you to make sure they do not have the last word.

Step 3: Address any barriers by creative a value-driven intention

What are your values? What principles do you hold that determine the righteousness of your behaviors and moral standards? Values play a critical role not only in guiding our behaviors, but also in directing us to the right decisions at important crossroads in our lives; they serve to anchor us to something important. Furthermore, our values remind us to pause, breathe, and reconnect with our true intentions, and believe we can and will survive regardless of the outcome. Some examples of values include compassion, courage, empathy, humility, integrity, mercy, openness, respect, self-control, trust, wisdom, and love. It is vital that you return to your values as they are the most faithful, reliable, and effective guides and companions to you.

Step 4: Set the stage

Setting the stage includes knowing how and when to deliver your message. Delivery might include the style and timing of your message, and is just important as the content of what you say. Start by building self-awareness of your natural communication style: your natural pace, volume, style of your voice, nonverbal communication habits, and what cultural backgrounds influence your communication style. Some openers for conversation might include:

• I’m not exactly sure how to say this…
  (core values: courage, humility)
• I hope you will consider taking a risk with me in sharing this…
  (core values: hope, courage, bravery).
• I’d like to explore doing something different here and would love for you to join me…
  (core value: curiosity)
• I’d like to offer my personal perspective here, and I hope you will hear me out…
  (core values: curiosity, creativity, hope).
• I’m not sure I have the right words for what I’m feeling, but I’m going to try. Thanks for bearing with me…
  (core values: courage, trust, humility).

Step 5: Take action (why, my, ask)

Make sure you understand the context and the person with whom you will be speaking. There are three essential components to ensure the success of any action: why this person(s), my experience, and the ask (abbreviated: why, me, ask).

• Why: This is an important component in that it communicates and highlights the connection between those involved. You may notice that prioritizing the relationship in any constructive conversation very much aligns with the importance of values. For example, maybe the nature and quality of the connection between you and the other person is one that is reflected by values such as love, gratitude, respect, or curiosity (e.g. “Tim, I am reaching out to you because you are an esteemed colleague and I respect you very much”).
   
• Me: This component involves your specific experiences – your thoughts, feelings, or concerns. What about your particular experiences do you want to share with the other person? Maybe that their prejudicial behavior hurt you; or how their notable silence made you both angry and sad when you most needed an ally. This component can and most likely will feel intimidating and nerve-racking to share your truth with someone who does not already see it (e.g. “Tim, I am feeling quite confused and disappointed about your decision to reject the qualified Muslim applicant, especially since we were tasked with helping to diversify our staff”).
   
• Ask: Since you are planning to have a conversation and not a monologue, you must clearly communicate what you are hoping to achieve by starting the conversation. Certainly there will be the pull to tell the person off, correct them, criticize them, teach them, and just be done after you’ve shared your piece. However, that would not be a constructive conversation – a constructive conversation involves respectfully sharing your experiences and listening sincerely as a deliberate intention to engage in mutual dialogue (e.g. “Tim, I would appreciate very much having an honest conversation with you about all of this. This is important to me, and I know it’s important to you. I want to figure out how we can better understand each other and work through this”).

Step 6: Invite, listen, and process the receiver’s response

Congratulations on making it this far. This step involves giving your full, undivided attention to the other person. This might include maintaining eye contact, turning your body toward and slightly leaning in to hear them, monitoring your face and body language, offering occasional signs of tracking the conversation (e.g. a nod), and minimizing distractions. Be careful to observe if you interrupt, and identify the intention of the other person. Notice what language they use, what their intentions might be, and what their underlying emotions could be.

Step 7: Acknowledge, reflect, and respond to the receiver’s reactions

When it comes time for you to respond, remember your values. In this step of the conversation you might find it helpful to use “I” statements, share the impact of their words on your experience, and to look for and highlight the value of your relationship. Be cautious of using statements such as “You made me feel/it’s because of you,” and try your best not to share your reactive feelings often of anger or outrage. Be wary also of rejecting or invalidating the speaker’s response. You might reflect back to the other person what you heard, and include a statement about what you hope for moving forward in your relationship with this person. (e.g. “Tim, I heard you say that you are worried that hiring a Muslim applicant would go against your personal values; is that right? I’m anxious to admit that I still don’t fully understand. To hear that you don’t support prioritizing diversity and inclusion in our organization feels personally surprising and very disappointing. However, because this is clearly important to both of us, I would like to take time to think more about what you shared. I hope we can connect again to better understand each other and clarify any further misunderstandings, and I appreciate you sharing your perspective”).

Step 8: Rinse and repeat

To be clear, while these conversations are pivotal, it does not mean that you should be having them all the time. The mere thought of constantly having such conversations is exhausting as well as unrealistic. There may also many reasons not to engage, such as a history of abuse, trauma, or violence with a particular person, for example. However, the goal of the model is to provide a pathway for broaching and not avoiding difficult conversations; to not be afraid of having them. And knowledge of a way to engage in such conversations is one way of managing the fear and anxiety that can come with having them. After your difficult conversation, be sure to take time for yourself to process your feelings and manage them appropriately by talking to a friend, going for a walk, or simply taking some time to listen to music.

While having difficult conversations can be provoking, they may go a long way in addressing the pain we often endure when we find ourselves holding in the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs we hope to express, share, and talk about with others.

The purpose of the International Student Organization is to provide a broader spectrum of our great world. This organization provides socials events, cultural programs, and as well as support to international students. ISO promotes cultural exchange between the campus and the community and represent almost every area of the world.