Last month’s Penn Libraries InterProfessional Student Advisory Gathering (#IPSAG) brought together students interested in health-related careers and Penn Libraries staff for an engaging discussion about the responsibility that future healthcare workers and health sciences researchers have during the current pandemic. This virtual lunchtime conversation included representatives from Alpha Iota Gamma (AIR, Penn’s first and only professional healthcare fraternity) and Synapse (Penn’s undergraduate student-led medical magazine).

The gathering was inspired by a guest column in the Daily Pennsylvanian by Lyla Rose, a member of both AIR and Synapse who was integral in planning the event. Lyla invited fellow student leaders to present about their organizations and crafted discussion questions for breakout rooms moderated by health sciences librarians.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lexy Chavez co-founded about Invisible Hands, a student-led organization, in which young adults volunteer to deliver food, medicine, and other necessities to their neighbors within the New York City and Philadelphia metropolitan areas.

Joey Lohman, a member of AIR, shared a recorded video about another student-run initiative co-founded during the pandemic, Lockdown Letters, in which volunteers send letters of appreciation to frontline workers in healthcare, retail, transportation, and other essential jobs across the country.

Raveen Kariyawasam, an editor for Synapse, discussed the magazine’s ongoing efforts to transition to a digital environment and shared a call for submissions for the upcoming all-digital issue.

As you continue to explore networking and volunteering opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the Year of Civic Engagement at Penn, be sure to prioritize your wellness. While the Biomedical Library’s Relaxation Room remains closed until June 2021, you are welcome to check out and contribute to the Virtual Positive Thoughts Jar.