UIC College of Pharmacy-Urban Health Program

Wishing a restful and restorative Easter to the future Pharmacists who will rise to meet the healthcare challenges of tomorrow. May you rise stronger, study smarter, and step closer to the doctor you are meant to become!

As we celebrate Black History Month, we take this time to honor the extraordinary contributions of Black pharmacists, educators, scientists, and advocates who have helped shape the profession of pharmacy and expand access to health care for communities across the nation. Trailblazers such as Dr. Chauncey I. Cooper, one of the earliest Black pharmacists and a tireless advocate for professional equity, and Dr. Marie M. Daly, whose biochemical research transformed modern medicine, exemplify the excellence, resilience, and innovation that continue to inspire our field. Their work laid critical foundations for pharmaceutical education, patient care, and scientific discovery.

Black History Month also invites us to reflect on our shared responsibility to advance equity, inclusion, and belonging within pharmacy education and practice today. By recognizing the legacy of Black pharmacists and scholars—past and present—we reaffirm our commitment to cultivating learning and working environments where diverse perspectives are valued and future leaders are empowered to thrive.

May this month serve as both a celebration of achievement and a call to action as we work together to build a more just and inclusive future for our college and the communities we serve.

As we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy, we reflect on his lasting call for justice, dignity, and equality. Dr. King’s vision reminds us that equity is not only a moral imperative but our collective responsibility. His vision is one that challenges all of us to remove barriers and ensure fair access to opportunity, care, and respect for all communities. His leadership continues to inspire us to meaningful action that is continuously rooted in compassion, courage, and service to others. In healthcare and pharmacy education, Dr. King’s legacy compels us to advance equity by addressing disparities in access, outcomes, and representation. Our commitment to educating future healthcare professionals, conducting inclusive research, and serving diverse populations is deeply aligned with his belief that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” May we continue to honor his legacy through our work, our learning, and our shared dedication to building a more just and equitable healthcare system.

On behalf of the Urban Health Program at the UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy, we want to take a moment to wish you and your family a truly well-deserved holiday break. We hope this season gives you a chance to rest and enjoy some time with the people who matter most. We are so proud of all that you have achieved.

As we embark on 2026, we hope you do so with confidence excited for what’s to come.

Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a successful 2026!!

The UHP Team

"Happy Thanksgiving from the Retzky College of Pharmacy Urban Health Program! We hope you have a wonderful holiday filled with good times, and the company of family and friends."

"This Halloween, we're prescribing a night of fun and frights! Stay safe and have a happy Halloween!"

Today, we honor the many OUTSTANDING Women Pharmacists who make a lasting impact on our healthcare system each and every day. The UIC Urban Health Program proudly celebrates the dedication, expertise, and contributions of the incredible Women Pharmacists in our community!

Please join us today from 12:30-1:30 for our guest speaker!!!

Today is National Student Pharmacist Day. We are so proud of our 160+ years of preparing student pharmacists to change the face of healthcare, and even more proud of them and their achievements.

🎗 September is Su***de Prevention Month | 💊🧠❤️💙

Pharmacy school is demanding — and sometimes, it can feel like too much. If you're struggling with stress, anxiety, or feeling overwhelmed, please remember:

👉 You are not alone.
👉 Your mental health matters.
👉 Help is always available.

📞 988 – Su***de & Crisis Lifeline (Free, 24/7, confidential)
📍 UIC Counseling Center – SSB 2010 | (312) 996-3490
🌐 counseling.uic.edu

💬 Talk to a classmate. A professor. A counselor. A friend.
You are more than your GPA, your deadlines, or your white coat.

Let’s continue supporting one another — as future pharmacists and as humans.
💚 Check in. Speak up. Share this. You never know who needs it.

***dePreventionMonth

Happy Fourth of July! On this day, as we honor our soldiers and freedom fighters, let us use it as a reminder to treat one another with loyalty and respect and to work each day to be the best we can be for our country. Please be safe!

As we observe Juneteenth tomorrow, I encourage those that wish to take the opportunity to learn about the history of Juneteenth and the contributions of Black Americans to our nation's history and culture to do so. Equally, I invite all to reflect on the role we all play in fostering a college and campus environment where every member feels valued, respected, and empowered.

“We celebrate the freedom of Black Americans from slavery and hard-won—if too slow—progress since. We must all work to reject racism and hatred and redouble efforts to achieve equity and justice for all”.

(American Council on Education 2025)