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Traditional Blessing | Honoring Ceremonies
Pascua Yaqui Tribe Traditional Healers: Dr. Carlos Gonzales, Medicine Man - Pedro Flores and his granddaughter who represents the female energy preside over the blessing ceremony for UAHS.
Traditional Live Streamed and Virtual Honoring Ceremony
On May 13, 2021, the honoring ceremony was conducted via livestream to be virtually available to families and community members not able to attend the ceremony in person due to COVID-19. The ceremony included four graduating medical students, two pharmacy students, two nursing students,and three public health students with over 90 in attendance from families, faculty staff and students.
It was very heartwarming to listen to the proud, and happy parents, colleagues and family members speak on behalf of the new graduates.
Arizona Telemedicine, Peter S. Yonsetto, stated, “The ceremony and the amazing rain made this a very special day! It is obvious that Alma Aguirre has a very close relationship with these students as she hugs them and is included in the family photos. Very touching!”
Traditional VIRTUAL Blessing Ceremony
UAHS | Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion annual hosts traditional blessings and honoring ceremonies in honor of our incoming and graduating American Indian Students at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Colleges. The purpose of the ceremony is to bring together students, their families and the campus community for a traditional blessing to honor their educational journey and a new beginning in their professional journey as healers in the community. Each student is blessed and offered words of encouragement. At the conclusion of each blessing and honoring ceremony, family members, friends and campus representatives are given the opportunity to speak to the students and share encouraging words. The blessing and honoring ceremonies are open to those who would like to attend to support the students and their families.
August 8, 2020, the blessing ceremony included seven incoming students to the college of medicine, one to the college of pharmacy, thirteen students to the college of nursing and six to the college of public health. Families, faculty, staff, and students attended the blessing virtually.
