Last week’s new Health Science Campus grand opening brought together the Creighton University and Phoenix communities. Faculty, staff, students, alumni, religious leaders and community members reflected on the area’s growth and rising need of health care services during a series of events, celebrating Creighton’s contributions to the region’s health sciences education and professional training.
“The grand opening was important to establish the mission of Creighton University on this new health sciences campus, which arises out of a knowledge and love of Jesus Christ,” said Randy Richardson, MD, regional dean of Creighton’s School of Medicine Phoenix Campus.
Richardson said highlights of the week, for him, were attending the chapel dedication; Mass of the Holy Spirit lead by Creighton President Fr. Daniel Hendrickson, SJ, PhD; keynote address by the Rev. Kevin FitzGerald, SJ, PhD, PhD; and ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration of mission with Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego.
Another key event of the week was reaching out to those in need. The culmination of grand opening week was the service project at St. Vincent de Paul when leadership and faculty gathered to prepare meals and messages for the poor and marginalized.
“The most powerful sermon was given when Fr. Hendrickson walked into the St. Vincent de Paul kitchen ready to make peanut butter sandwiches for those need. We can claim that we are “men and women for and with others,” but here was evidence of who we claim to be, even at the highest levels of Creighton University leadership,” Richarson said.
