CUIMC Employees Recharge at Ice Cream Social and Meet Columbia’s New President

Each year, CUIMC employees look forward to the Employee Appreciation Ice Cream Social: a chance to hang out with colleagues, listen to music, and enjoy free ice cream and frozen treats. This year’s edition, which took place on July 15, delivered all those things—and a visit by Columbia University’s new president, Jennifer Mnookin.

Organized by the CUIMC Office of Events, the Ice Cream Social attracted hundreds of CUIMC employees, as well as members of the Washington Heights community, to Haven Square where deans and administrators from across CUIMC schools distributed the frozen treats. On one of the hottest days of the year, they were worth the wait.

More than providing a brief respite from the heat, the Ice Cream Social also brought people together. “The medical center has so many disparate parts,” said Dennis Mitchell, dean of the College of Dental Medicine, during his shift. “And everyone is always so busy. There’s so much happening up here. So, anything that can bring us together is good!”

“The real meaning of an event such as this is putting the medical center exactly where it belongs: in the middle of our community serving everybody,” said James McKiernan, interim dean of the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. “We’ve had our community neighbors and kids out here; we’ve had students; staff; residents; dentists, nurses, researchers, physicians, pharmacists; people just walking down the street. We’re part of Washington Heights; we’re Columbia University in the City of New York for the city of New York.”

This year, many event visitors were surprised to find themselves face-to-face with Columbia University’s new president, Jennifer Mnookin. Alongside Dean McKiernan at Ice Cream Station #3, President Mnookin took orders for frozen fruit bars and ice cream cones. Afterwards, she mingled with visitors waiting in line.

“Part of what I’ve been doing these first couple of weeks is just seeing Columbia in action, and I’m thrilled to be here,” Mnookin said as she took a moment to share her early impressions of Columbia University and its medical center. “What I’m struck by is the breadth of talent here. There are so many spaces where Columbia offers excellence and opportunity, and there are so many people here who care deeply about Columbia and about the city of New York.

“I’ve only scratched the surface, but it’s a real delight to be here today and to listen, to learn, and to think together about what Columbia most needs.”