Students from every department gathered on the Shouse Lawn yesterday with one common interest: Pediatrics. The IHP’s Children’s Advocacy, Research, Education and Service Club (I-CARES) kicked off the summer semester by combining pediatric advocacy with community spirit, along with a side of pizza and candy. 

I-CARES is an interprofessional organization open to students of all departments at the MGH Institute who are interested in pediatrics. 

“We pull from programs all across the school,” shared Butler. “We’ve got PT, OT, SLP, and genetic counseling. Everybody is involved with one goal: to advocate for advocacy, research, and education around pediatric interest.”

The club facilitates volunteering opportunities, educational panels, research opportunities, and advocacy events. 

“At today’s event, we're looking at getting people interested, engaged, and more aware of the club,” shared the organization’s president, Rebecca Butler, MS-SLP class of 2026. “The more people participate and get involved in the club, the more things and events we can do.”

The dedicated club is bringing change in the lives of the community’s children one event at a time. Over the past winter, the organization hosted a blanket making workshop to bring warmth and comfort to the children at the neighboring Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.