Allen College - UnityPoint Health

Halloween is almost here and Allen College is hosting its annual Trick or Treating event for our community!! Join us Thursday, October 29th from 5-7p.m.! Bring your children for indoor trick or treating event, participate in activities, and enjoy many photo opportunities! See you there!

Dia de los Mu***os –

Happy Día de los Mu***os!
Día de los Mu***os, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican tradition celebrated November 1–2 to honor loved ones who have passed away. Families create ofrendas (altars) with photos, marigolds, candles, and favorite foods to celebrate them and keep their memories alive! 🕯️💛 🌼

October 10th is World Mental Health Day! This day reminds us that mental health is just as important as physical health. Take a moment today to check in with yourself, support those around you, and remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Let's break the stigma! 💚

Here are some ideas for ways to improve and prioritize your mental health:
• Prioritizing sleep each night 😴
• Take a short walk every day 🚶
• Stay connected with friends and family 🫂
• Eat regular, balanced meals and stay hydrated 🍽️
• Make time for hobbies you enjoy 📚
• Set realistic goals and celebrate small wins 🏅
• Spend a few minutes outdoors each day ⛰️
• Be kind to yourself! 🤍

Celebrating Filipino American Heritage Month!

This month, we honor the rich culture, history, and contributions of Filipino Americans. From past generations to generations shaping the future, we celebrate the stories, resilience, and community that continue to make an impact.

Our Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) students recently completed their first simulation competency experience in the new Van G. Miller Family Charitable Foundation Simulation Center for Clinical Excellence!

This immersive learning opportunity allowed students to apply their developing clinical skills in a realistic healthcare environment while strengthening their confidence, communication, clinical reasoning, and professionalism as future occupational therapists.

A special thank you to Ashley Ollendieck, Simulation Coordinator, for creating and facilitating an outstanding learning experience. Your expertise and dedication helped make this first simulation competency a success!

Since opening this fall, the Simulation Center has quickly become a hub for innovation and collaboration. Faculty across programs are working together to develop meaningful simulation experiences and interprofessional learning opportunities that prepare Health Sciences and Nursing students for the teamwork and patient-centered care essential in today's healthcare settings.

We are excited to watch our students continue to grow through these hands-on experiences and look forward to the many opportunities ahead.

“Mammograms save lives.”

“Early-stage breast cancer—when it hasn’t spread beyond the breast—has a 5-year relative survival rate of over 99%, highlighting the importance of early detection.”

“Finances shouldn’t determine breast cancer survival rates.”

“There are over 4 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States.”

“When every moment matters, your action matters most.”

“No one should face breast cancer alone.”

“For someone facing breast cancer today, the help they need can’t wait.”

Source: https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/

Interested in becoming a Physical Therapist? We'd love to meet you! Our next DPT webinar is Wednesday, October 21, and it's a great opportunity to connect with faculty, learn about the program, and get your questions answered.

Can't make it that day? We have several upcoming webinar dates available!

Sign up here: https://engagecms-100978.campusnexus.cloud/allen-college/dpt-webinar-registration

What an incredible impact!

Thank you to everyone who attended Ledger’s Story, as told by Tina Dalton. Because of your support and willingness to help, 27 potential bone marrow donors were swabbed and added to the registry. Every new donor increases the chance of a life-saving match. ❤️

💚🌎 World Cerebral Palsy Day | October 6

Different abilities. Different experiences. Endless possibilities.
Today is about more than raising awareness. It's about recognizing the millions of people around the world living with cerebral palsy and celebrating everything that makes them unique!

Cerebral palsy affects movement, balance, and posture, but it doesn't define a person's potential, personality, or dreams. Every journey looks different, and every story deserves to be heard.

In healthcare, sometimes the biggest difference we can make starts with something simple: listening, understanding, and seeing the person before the diagnosis.

So today, let's turn the world GREEN! 💚 Whether you're wearing green, sharing a story, or simply taking a moment to learn something new, you're helping bring awareness to a community that deserves to be seen and celebrated.
💚 Different abilities. One world. Endless possibilities.



Learn more about Allen College programs at https://www.allencollege.edu/our-programs

Have you ever wondered what a SANE nurse does? Join our expert panel on October 12, 2026, to learn about the vital services SANE nurses provide to patients and communities, hear about career opportunities in this specialized field, and discover how you can become a SANE nurse.

More information: https://www.allencollege.edu/about-us/events/sane-nursing?event=6c0b07cc-6e6d-450f-9150-ddab5b4413ef