Published August 28, 2025
CAPTION: Students from the ULM Occupational Therapy program pose at the first-ever College
of Health Sciences Back to School Parking Garage Party on August 21, 2025.
MONROE, LA – The College of Health Sciences at The University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) recently
kicked off the Fall 2025 semester with a Back to School Parking Garage Party for students
on August 21, 2025, featuring free food and drinks, a live DJ, and giveaways. Representatives
from local health care businesses were also on hand to interact with students from
across the college.
“The College of Health Sciences was proud to launch our first-ever Back to School
Parking Garage Party as a meaningful way to welcome students and strengthen our connections
with the healthcare community,” said Dr. Wendy Bailes, Dean of the College of Health
Sciences. “It’s been a challenging year, and we wanted to start the Fall off with
a celebration showing that we are here, we are resilient, and we are ready,” added
Bailes.
Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) from within the college participated in the
event including those from Occupational Therapy, Dental Hygiene, Doctor of Physical
Therapy, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, Marriage and Family Therapy, Health
Studies, and Radiologic Technology. RSO participation was organized by Medical Laboratory
Science major Julia Johnson.
“RSO participation was important at this event because the RSOs represent each of
the programs offered by the College of Health Sciences. In the medical field, patient
care is not a single-player sport; it’s a team sport. It takes everyone’s contribution
to give the patient the best care possible. It only made sense that the same would
hold true for this event,” said Johnson.
Local vendors who participated in the event included Communihealth, St. Francis Medical
Center, Wellstar, Franklin Medical Center, LabCorps, LSU Ochsner, Brookshire’s, Marie’s
Medical, Midsouth Medical, and AT&T.
“This event creates an early opportunity for our undergraduate and graduate students
to network—not only with local health sciences employers, but also with each other
and with our faculty,” said Bailes. “Those relationships are the foundation of academic
success, professional growth, and the kind of collaboration that drives healthcare
forward. Our graduates play a vital role in staffing medical facilities throughout
the region, and we’re excited to help bridge the gap between the classroom and the
professional world.”
Johnson said one of the things she most enjoyed about the event was getting to know
other College of Health Sciences students better. “We are all in the college because
we want to help others be their best selves. There is an instant connection when you
are with people who have the same goal as you,” she said.
Bailes says there are plans to continue the event in the Fall semester of each year,
and she thanked those who came together to make it happen. “Without the vendors and
collaborators on campus, it would not have happened,” said Bailes. “From the Physical
Plant to ULM PD, to RSOs, everyone went above and beyond to make it a memorable celebration.”
About the ULM College of Health Sciences
The ULM College of Health Sciences is dedicated to the education of health care professionals
who serve the people of Louisiana and beyond. The College is comprised of two schools,
the School of Allied Health and the Kitty DeGree School of Nursing, that offer degrees
at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
For more information, please visit ulm.edu/chs
