World Polio Day 2022 Observation at Utah Valley University
On October 19, 2022, Utah Valley University Rotaractors hosted the World Polio Day
Observation at UVU campus
On October 19, 2022, our team of Utah Valley University (UVU) Rotaractors, with Orem-Lindon Rotary members and the UVU Office for Global Engagement, co-hosted our Annual World Polio Day observation at UVU. This year’s event called for urgent action to support Rotary International’s End Polio initiative as we have seen several cases of polio reported in the U.S. since 2013.
Tristin Smith, Utah Valley University (UVU) Rotaract President moderated the World Polio Day Observation at the university
UVU Rotaract is a part of Rotary International, sponsored by Orem-Lindon Rotary, and Utah International Mountain Forum (UIMF), a coalition of student clubs at UVU. UIMF has promoted the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially Sustainable Mountain Development, in the State of Utah and at the United Nations. UIMF, including UVU Rotaract, encourages students, especially non-traditional learners, through the Student-Engaged Learning (SEL) model to work as a group to solve real-world issues with faculty mentoring them. Non-traditional students are students who are balancing education with family and work responsibilities. This method empowers students in an inclusive way, both traditional and non-traditional learners, with the professional skills and knowledge necessary to make meaningful and lasting change locally and globally in mountain communities and United Nations activities.
The student team hosted a luncheon presentation at noon for Orem-Lindon Rotarians, UVU Rotaractors, students, and community members in the LA 116 room in the UVU Office of Global Engagement. This year we were joined by 45 Rotarians, students, and community members.
The World Polio Day observation agenda was as followed:
- Opening Remarks by Tristin Juarez-Smith, UVU Rotaract President
- Greetings from Lilly Hall, UVU Rotaractor and Public Health Student
- Keynote Presentation by Dr. Joseph Johnson, Utah Valley Pediatrics
- Remarks from Rachel Welker, UVU Vice President of the Foreign Affairs Club
- Closing Remarks from Spencer Mack, Orem-Lindon Rotary President
Tristin Juarez-Smith, UVU Rotaract President opens World Polio Day Observation
In his opening remarks, Tristin Juarez-Smith welcomed Orem-Lindon Rotarians, UVU students, and community members. He emphasized the importance of the event hosted at UVU due to the rise of cases of polio not only in states like Pakistan and Afghanistan, but also in the United States, and highlighted the continued efforts of UVU Rotaractors with Orem-Lindon Rotarians to work on polio eradication. Tristin expressed his appreciation to Orem-Lindon Rotarians for consistently engaging UVU Rotaractors in their activities and initiatives, not only with the End Polio Now campaign but also with service projects and humanitarian efforts.
Emily Hall, UVU Rotaractors introduces Lilly Hall as one of the events speakers
Lilly Hall, UVU Rotaractor speaks during the event
We heard then from Lilly Hall, a UVU Rotaractor and Public Health student, during the luncheon. She spoke on the efforts Rotary International has provided worldwide to end polio. She then talked about the effects students can have on health policies and vaccination rates. She urged students to empower women’s health and stop vaccine misinformation.
Key note presentation of Dr. Joseph Johnson MD, Utah Valley Pediatric
Emily Hall introduced our keynote speaker Dr. Joseph Johnson, the owner of a practice in Provo and the medical director of the Well-Newborn Nurseries at Utah Valley Hospital and Orem Community Hospital. He spoke about the viability and importance of vaccines. Dr. Johnson described the science behind herd immunity , contagious rates of varying diseases and the life-saving effects vaccines provide a community to battle against diseases such as Covid-19, measles, whooping cough, and polio. Orem-Lindon Rotarians, students, and community members were very interested in hearing Dr. Johnson’s understanding of the practices and experiences that Utah’s healthcare system implements in combating these diseases, particularly through vaccinations, including polio eradication efforts.
Camilla Pendleton, UVU Rotaractor introduces Rachel Welker as one of the events speakers
UVU Rotaractor Camilla Pendleton introduced our next speaker Rachel Welker, Vice President for UVU Foreign Affairs club. Camilla also led the efforts to create all promotional materials for the luncheon event, hosting table at UVU campus, and Utah Symphony concert lobby display.
Rachel Welker, UVU Rotaractors shares experiences from contribution to the World Polio campaign
Rachel Welker talked about the effect of the Student-Engaged Learning (SEL) method in promoting Polio eradication by members of the UVU Rotaract. She shared her personal experience of working jointly with her peers to make lasting change in her own life by serving the needs of the local community in Utah county. Rachel urged the audience that the first and most meaningful step is to simply invite others to events such as this.
Orem-Lindon Rotarians in the audience during the World Polio Day observation at UVU
Orem-Lindon Rotary President Spencer Mack concluded our luncheon presentation. He thanked both Orem-Lindon Rotarians and UVU Rotaractors for their many efforts and donations to the Rotary Foundation and End Polio Foundation. He explained how our efforts have shown individuals' power in making meaningful and lasting change and his desire for Orem-Lindon Rotarians to continue to work and support initiatives of UVU Rotaractors further in the future.
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Emily Hall, UVU Rotaractor, assemble Rotaract banner before the event
In preparation for our World Polio Day events and based on the SEL model, UVU Rotaract President Tristin Juarez-Smith created a Task List for UVU Rotaractors and UIMF members to complete all necessary preparations and successfully hosting of World Polio Day at UVU. Such responsibilities included creating an agenda for events, identifying potential presenters, promotional material, event brochures, tabling brochures, event logistics, connecting with presenters, etc. All task list items were implemented through our luncheon event on October 19, 2022. In addition, UVU Rotaract President Tristin Juarez-Smith suggested that members host a table on UVU campus before the luncheon event and a lobby display at Utah Symphony’s concert on October 20, 2022, at the UVU Noorda Center. Items for these events were added to the task list to support the efforts of connecting further with UVU students and community members.
Rachel Welker and Tristin Juarez-Smith, UVU Rotaractors prepare equipment for the event
For the luncheon event implementation, UVU Rotaractors identified and contacted appropriate presenters and keynote speakers in particular. With the assistance of UIMF President Alitha Thompson, a non-traditional student, keynote speaker Dr. Joseph Johnson was invited to speak at our luncheon event. Students contacted UVU’s Public Health student club, Orem-Lindon Rotary and UVU Office of Global Engagement to co-host the event, along with relevant offices at UVU to assist with certain logistics for the event such as room reservation and ordering lunch. Working with Utah Rotary District, Rotary and End Polio Now banners were secured for the event. Through fundraising efforts, students were able to cover lunch costs for students and Orem-Lindon Rotarians. Student speakers were invited from UIMF and UVU’s Public Health club. Led by Camilla Pendleton, UVU Rotaractors, promotional items were created such as the luncheon program brochure, tabling brochure, and poster.
Abdulrahman Alghanmi and Lilly Hall, UVU Rotaractors host table at UVU campus in World Polio Day preparation
In preparation for the luncheon on October 19, 2022, UVU Rotaractors held a tabling event on UVU campus to further engage students in Rotary International activities and the End Polio Now initiative. UVU Rotaract President Tristin Smith and Rotaractors Lilly Hall, Emily Hall, Rachel Welker, and I shared information about Rotary International’s End Polio Initiatives. They encouraged students to donate to the End Polio Foundation to assist in the fight to eradicate polio worldwide.
Rachel Welker & Emily Hall, run lobby display for Utah Symphony concert at the UVU Noorda Center
With the Utah Symphony holding a concert the same week as our event, UVU Rotaract President Tristin Juarez-Smith contacted Paula Fowler, the Utah Symphony Community Outreach and Engagement Director, inquiring about a partnership to promote Rotary International’s initiative End Polio Now. Through their work together, UVU Rotaractors were invited to host a lobby display for Utah Symphony’s concert on October 20, 2022, at the UVU Noorda Center. This lobby display was hosted by UVU Rotaractors Rachel Welker, Emily Hall, and Rotaract President Tristin Juarez-Smith, where they raised further community awareness about Rotary International’s initiative “End Polio Now” during the concert.
This event is an example of how UVU Rotaract and UIMF members, through the SEL method, are able to advocate for Sustainable Mountain Development in Utah and around the world. Mountain communities and mountainous regions are some of the most neglected communities in the world. Through the SEL model, UVU students made a lasting impact on the Utah community and globally through their efforts and support of Rotary International’s End Polio Now initiative.
Abdulrahman Alghanmi, UVU Rotaractor
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PRESENTATIONS
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Dr. Johnson Lilly Hall Rachel Welker
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UVU Event Brochure Brochure About Polio
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MEDIA ABOUT WORLD POLIO DAY AT UVU
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Video recording at YouTube channel
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District Rotary Newsletter About World Polio Day at UVU
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