Medical Students Gather for Interfaith Thanksgiving Dinner

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

(November 25, 2024) — Nearly 100 School of Medicine students, along with chaplains, faculty and staff from various faith traditions, gathered 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 that one of the greatest challenges for patients and their families when they are ill or fearful about their health is that they feel alone.  

Too many do not know where to turn for help, hope or healing, he said.   

“Health care, done correctly, is when people know they are not alone, they are cared about, and that they matter,” he said. “Faith, all faiths, also remind us that we are not alone, there is a place to turn to, and we are cared about.” 

One of the primary draws for Beauchamp in joining Georgetown University was the opportunity to bring together faith and spirituality with healing and health. “In this synergy, we can better serve the nation and the world. We can illuminate the path toward meeting the health needs of all,” he said.

Beauchamp also emphasized the importance of faith to those serving, as well as those served, for students, faculty and staff.  

“Faith has 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.  “Emblematic of my journey is the allegory titled ‘Footprints in the Sand.’”

In the story, a person meeting their God is allowed to see their life journey as marked by footprints in the sand. Next to the person’s footprints are the footprints of God. The person asks why, in their time of greatest struggle, there were only one set of footprints.  The person learns that in those moments, God was carrying them.   

“The lesson in this is that there are times that we carry others, and times that we need to be carried,” Beauchamp said. “Please know that you are blessed to be immersed in a community that welcomes the expression of faith, all faiths, and that supporting others is an interfaith imperative”.  

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 close friend Alex, a “faith forward” person who is Muslim. 

“Alex reminded me, ‘Just remember you’re not alone.’”  

Beauchamp also encouraged students to understand the lessons from the readings and prayers from other faith traditions. “I think in all faiths, there are guiding lessons about a life of purpose and service to others — there are lessons that unite.”

Beauchamp asked the students to help ensure people aren’t alone in their health journey. “Let us be there for each other — for your patients, for each other. Together, everything is possible,” he said. 

Show of Unity

Members of the Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Dharmic 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 Jewish students, 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 Hindu 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.”