Trailblazers 2021 Honoree: Resurrection University

All people, including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), deserve access to high quality healthcare that not only enhances their wellbeing and meets their needs, but also takes into account their personal values, desires and life goals. The availability of disability-aware clinicians is critical to individuals with I/DD receiving the person-centered, quality care they deserve.

That is why we are so proud of our collaboration with Resurrection University Nursing and Health Sciences to host their Community Health Clinical course at Search’s adult learning programs in Lincoln Square and Mount Prospect.

With 106 years in the education sector, Resurrection University continues to offer world-class healthcare education in Wicker Park while committing to develop and use intellectual capacities, skills and talents in service to humanity.

Each semester, for an eight week rotation, Resurrection University nursing students embed with our frontline staff in the program environment. The students also work with our nursing team at Search’s onsite medical clinics. Search has hosted 113 nursing students since the partnership with Resurrection University began.

By working alongside our team to support the individuals in our programs, these future nursing professionals gain important insights into a service population that isn’t traditionally included in clinical education. As Yolonda Baker, Instructor, College Of Nursing puts it, "By the end of their rotations students cared deeply for the individuals and felt that their time at Search gave them invaluable, beneficial, and meaningful experience”.  When they enter the field in the coming years, we know they’ll be able to use their experiences at Search to enhance the quality of the lives of their patients with I/DD.

One of the great things about Search’s partnership with Resurrection University is that we don’t have to wait for their nursing students to graduate to benefit from their compassion, energy, creativity and enthusiasm.

Clinical Service Division Manager, Jaclyn Rovner says of the students she has encountered, “They are caring individuals, have a strong will to learn about working with the people we serve, and make a great contribution to our medical services clinics.”  Director of Search’s Adult Learning Program, Nick Larson observes that, “Our staff really appreciate working with the students. They like to share their wisdom and communicate with the students about what it is like working with people who have disabilities”.  

Beginning in March of 2020, we had to temporarily suspend hosting Resurrection University nursing students because our program sites were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the past 12 months, we have all been reminded of the importance of nurses and other healthcare professionals as they have bravely stood on the frontlines of this pandemic. We are so grateful for their service. We are excited to announce that in May 2021 we will be welcoming Resurrection nursing students back to Search where they will once again be able to make a meaningful impact on the lives of the people we serve.

For leading the way on disability-aware nursing, and for all that they continue to do to ensure that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are respected, understood and supported, we are thrilled to honor Resurrection University College of Nursing with our 2021 Trailblazer Award.

Read about our other Trailblazers 2021 Honoree, Our Frontline Staff.

Register for our virtual event on Thursday, May 20th here.

Find out more about our Trailblazers 2021 event here.