Medical Students Gather for Interfaith Thanksgiving Dinner

Posted in News Stories  |  Tagged community in diversity, diversity, interreligious event, interreligious understanding, student events

(November 20, 2024) — Nearly 100 School of Medicine students gathered with members of different faith traditions for a Thanksgiving dinner to recognize the common ground shared by a broader faith-based community.

Organized by the Georgetown Office of Mission & Ministry, the November 16 annual Interfaith Thanksgiving dinner brought together students, faculty, staff and family at the Leavey Center for turkey, pumpkin pie and fellowship.

“We had a wonderful turnout of students who enjoyed prayer, community and a holiday meal,” said James Shea, S.J., director of mission and ministry for the Medical Center. “We’ll build on this dinner to expand opportunities to share community and enhance interfaith relationships.”

‘Just Remember, You’re Not Alone’

In offering his reflections for the evening, the school’s executive dean, Norman J. Beauchamp Jr., MD, MHS, shared the importance of supporting others in times of need — noting that “faith, when done correctly, results in people not being alone.”

“That’s been so important to me in my journey as a person, as a dad, as a husband, as a doctor, as a teacher,” he said.

Beauchamp shared a personal story to underscore the interconnectedness of humanity that supersedes individual faith traditions. During a time of struggle following his mother’s death, he called on his friend Alex, a “faith forward” Muslim, for comfort.

“He said to me, ‘Just remember you’re not alone.’ And it was really powerful. And so I just felt really fortunate that I had a person of faith who saw the same thing I did.”

Beauchamp also encouraged students to understand the lessons from the readings and prayers from other faith-traditions. “I think in all faiths, there are just lessons — whether you embrace them because it’s your faith or because it’s just really important.”

Beauchamp asked the students to help ensure people aren’t alone in their health journey.

“You’re going to go forward in faith, you’re going to be there for each other. You’re going to be there for your patients. We’re going to make it so that people don’t have to feel alone,” he said.

Show of Unity

Members of the Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Dharmic faith traditions each read a prayer or blessing before sitting with others to share in the meal.

“It’s really an honor to share this space with all these different faiths … especially in really difficult times,” said Julia Hakeem (M’28), representing the Muslim Medical Student Association. “There’s a lot of injustice in this world, and so we really appreciate opportunities like this to come together and show unity with one another … and be thankful for each other in our presence, and in the privilege that we have to wear the white coat and to serve others.”

Ryan Broun (M’25), representing the Maimonides Society, a club for students of Jewish faith, recognized the importance of the individual faith groups coming together to develop into one.

“As Dr. Beauchamp said, there are some lessons from faith that supersede just a single religion,” Broun said. “Having people come and be able to interact in an event like this gives the possibility to see the larger moral truths and be able to learn from that.”

Raghav Ranga (M’25) saw the gathering as a way to share his Dharmic culture with others.

“I’ve been very fortunate to have a space for my Hindu community on this campus, beginning as an undergraduate,” he said. “And now this year is the first year we have our Dharmic Medical Student Association on campus.”

Shared Purpose

For many, the gathering helped reinforce their chosen profession.

“I came to this dinner tonight just to get a better sense of community, stay connected with all of my fellow classmates, and hopefully just share a good foundation of spirituality and faith because I know that will shape us to be more holistic and caring physicians in the future,” said Ariel Fernandez (M’28), a member of MAGIS, a Catholic medical student organization. “And I think it all just helps us stay rooted in who we are as individuals and who we are going to be as people for others.”

John DiBello (M’26), who helped organize the 2023 dinner with fellow student Abby Escobar (M’27), noted that the faith community is a reminder “that you all belong to each other in the same mission,” he said.

Escobar said she hopes the broader importance of the evening endures. “I hope the relationships we’ve built here form a sustainable community that lasts.”