Revisiting Campus ... Virtually

HMS, HSDM students forge bonds, share talents

By BOBBIE COLLINS May 4, 2021 Education HMS Community

3 min read

Njikọta, the 2021 FABRIC theme, translates as “connection” and “bonding” in Igbo, a language spoken in Nigeria. Illustration: Crystal Song

Every year admitted Harvard medical and dental school students are invited to a series of events over several days where they have an opportunity to return to campus as they make their final decisions on where to attend medical or dental school.

For the second year in a row, traditional events where admitted medical and dental school students are invited to “revisit” campus took place online during the week of April 5 in accordance with pandemic safety regulations.

But the remote nature of the events did little to dampen the occasion. The exuberance of Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Dental Medicine students who hosted the events beamed through their computer screens during the 20th annual FABRIC event.

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Originally conceived as a way to recognize and honor the African diaspora, FABRIC has evolved into a celebration of the diversity of backgrounds and talents of Harvard medical and dental students and a display of how the student community is united in purpose.

The event featured prerecorded videos of students dancing, performing music, modeling traditional clothing, reading poetry, and sharing other creative endeavors and insights.

“Congratulations on getting accepted to the Class of 2025,” said Brianna Wright, FABRIC program director, as she welcomed attendees. “We are sorry we can’t have you here in person for this event, but we look forward … to welcoming you to campus soon.”

Students share their cultural roots through traditional clothing

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This year’s theme, Njikọta, translates as “connection” and “bonding” in Igbo, a language spoken in Nigeria. The first-year class produced the event, and chose the theme to celebrate how they were able to form relationships and build community despite the difficulties the COVID-19 pandemic presented to them.

In addition to the performances, several HMS students shared their thoughts on what they wish they had known before their first year of medical school and discussed why diversity in medicine is important.

Why does diversity in medicine matter?

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The videos were created and performed by individual students and students in student associations, groups, or academic societies.

“All the performances and interviews were made safely following Massachusetts [public health] guidelines. COVID-19 has made coming together especially challenging, but despite that, our class has come to make its own sense of community and friendships,” said Nereida Ramirez, FABRIC artistic director.

Performances by student groups

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Carrying on tradition

As part of an annual tradition, the HMS/HSDM Class of 2024 also created a parody video. “There’s some docs in this house,” sang first-year Harvard medical and dental students in the humorous cover of Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s “WAP.” The students produced and performed in the video, which celebrates their experiences as first-year medical and dental students and welcomes newly admitted students to the School.