New Student Orientation

Welcome to the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions.

We are pleased you will be joining us in the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions to begin your journey in becoming a competent, compassionate and caring healthcare professional. You will find a dedicated group of individuals in your faculty, staff and fellow students that will be assisting you in your pursuit of excellence.

The purpose of this orientation is to provide you with a clear introduction to life at Creighton. The central focus is to facilitate your transition into professional education within the context of the Catholic mission and Ignatian tradition of the university. This overarching theme is the integration of the following overlapping dimensions of School life, which you will notice as priorities throughout this orientation:

Community

We seek to initiate and foster relationships of mutual respect and support among students, faculty and staff. In the Ignatian tradition, this may best be described as the beginning of a process of becoming true “companions” to each other. Becoming a professional involves more than acquiring disciplinary knowledge and skills. This process also involves affirming vocation and is reflected in personal dispositions of solidarity, justice and caring. During the orientation, community is reflected in activities including student socials, dining with faculty, participating in a volunteer service activity and reflection sharing.

Diversity

We recognize the diversity of backgrounds and experiences of all members of the School. During the orientation, we work to meet the various needs of new students, transfer students, adult learners and other special groups. In the Ignatian tradition, this may best be described as finding the good in all persons. Diversity is reflected in activities including ice-breakers, times for reflection and sharing, exploration of the community through service and exposure to opportunities for involvement.

Learning

During the orientation, we want you to become aware of the many resources in place to help you succeed as a student. Ignatian pedagogy describes this as attention to the context in which learning takes place. During the orientation, you will see this reflected in opportunities to meet faculty, staff and students from upper classes. You will also get to know your academic success counselors, technology support staff and others who can help you achieve a healthy balance between your academic, professional and personal endeavors.

Scholarship

You will receive an initial orientation to your academic program and the unique ways in which your discipline contributes to the betterment of society. These sessions reflect our University’s pursuit of truth in all its forms.

Service

To others, the importance of family life, the inalienable worth of each individual and appreciation of ethnic and cultural diversity are core values of Creighton. A service opportunity during the orientation highlights the importance our School places on the commitment to prepare professionals who are concerned for others. While you will have the opportunity to participate in a service project, by no means is this the only opportunity you will have to serve each other during the orientation! You were invited to join on of our academic programs because this commitment was already visible in your words and past actions.

Integrity

All these priorities are integrated into the development of professionals who have integrity. Our policies and procedures are in place to foster an environment in which future professionals can continually grow into people who represent the University, School and their chosen professions with honesty, truthfulness and honor. During the orientation, you will begin to explore the meaning of the oaths you will make as you become a professional.

New Student Orientation Schedule 2024

View Schedule: 

Regis Creighton Occupational Therapy
Monday, August 5-Thursday, August 8
Regis University-Denver, Colorado

Welcome & Orientation Schedule 2024

View Schedule: 

Alaska Occupational Therapy
Monday, August 5-Thursday, August 8
University of Alaska-Anchorage

Welcome & Orientation Schedule 2024

Phoenix Occupational Therapy, Phoenix Pharmacy, Phoenix Physical Therapy
Wednesday, August 14-Saturday, August 17
Creighton University Phoenix Health Sciences Campus-Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix Map

E-Orientation is designed for incoming students as an introduction to Creighton University, the Catholic and Jesuit mission, technology requirements, program overview. A non-credit, module-based course in Blueline (Canvas), E-Orientation is used for preparation for in-person activities and is required to be completed prior to the respective orientation week. The course is designed for incoming students to ease the burden of transition to professional school and to create virtual sessions that set the framework and complement the in-person sessions. E-Orientation is published on June 15 and students are notified through Creighton Outlook Office 365 email to begin completing requirements.

Orientation ambassadors are the “first face” of the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions. This dynamic group of students is charged with welcoming new students to Creighton University.

The Professionalism Ceremony provides insight into the integration of knowledge and skill with altruistic attitudes, values and behaviors. Held in conjunction with and concluding each orientation week, the ceremony emphasizes responsibility to a chosen profession through the academic programs. Representatives from the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions faculty and staff, current students welcome students into their chosen profession and share their experiences of growth and encouragement in curricular and co-curricular involvement.

Ceremony Dates

Alaska Occupational Therapy
Wednesday, August 7 – Time 6 p.m.
University of Alaska - Anchorage
Gorsuch Commons

Regis Creighton Occupational Therapy 
Wednesday, August 7 – Time 5:30 p.m.
Regis University - Denver, Colorado
St. John Francis Regis Chapel

Omaha Occupational Therapy, Omaha and Distance Pharmacy, and Physical Therapy
Thursday, August 15 – Time, 2:00 p.m.
Creighton University
DJ Sokol Arena at the Ryan Athletic Center

Phoenix Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, and Physical Therapy
Saturday, August 17 – Time 10 a.m.
Creighton University - Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix Health Sciences Campus

General Information

Guests are welcome to attend each ceremony.

Professional Oaths and Pledges

Contact Us

Katie Wadas-Thalken
Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs
402.280.4772
katiewadas-thalken@creighton.edu

Susan Speliopoulos Weems, MS
Assistant Dean, Student Affairs & Operations
602.361.6217
SusanWeems@creighton.edu