“Big Sibs” Offer Camaraderie and Support

Written by Emily Vayda '20
As a first-year student at the Larner College of Medicine, I found comfort in knowing that I could reach out to someone in the class above me with questions about anything, even small things, thanks to a program called Big Sib/Little Sib. I had been living in Burlington for the previous four years, but the transition to medical school came with challenges that I did not expect.

What Birds Teach Me about Medicine

Written by Miles Grunvald '18
It’s not unusual for medical students to experience periods of painful self-doubt, unrelenting exhaustion and, at times, shear disappointment. I, like many of my colleagues, have occasionally experienced such emotions and have been fortunate in their brevity. During these low times I would often cope by making the facetious claim to my significant other that I was going to drop out of medical school and become a birder.

An American Academy of Pediatrics Campaign: Toxic Stress and Its Impact on Children

Written by Meredith Sooy '17 Each year the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Section of Pediatric Trainees (SOPT) coordinates an advocacy campaign for fellows, residents and medical students across the country aimed at improving the lives of children. This year’s campaign, entitled "Partnering for Resilience: Learn, Empower, and Connect to Address Toxic Stress," focuses on learning about toxic stress, adverse childhood experiences, and resilience, translating the science behind toxic stress and resilience into clinical work, and learning how to connect families to community resources and leverage community partners.

Playing the Long Game: A Medical Student’s Appreciation of Endurance Athletics

Written by Caleb Knight '20 Hobbling across the finish line of the 2015 Lake Tahoe Ironman triathlon, I was content with the thought of never competing in another one. It was certainly a momentous occasion—my first official race of any kind, the product of months of training, a grueling eleven hours on one of the sport’s toughest courses, with my friends and family cheering for me throughout.

Mindfulness in Medical School: Living Fuller and More Present Lives

Written by Stephanie Kulaga '19 It’s a Tuesday afternoon and a smattering of students sit in a silent classroom. Their heads are bowed downward, and the only sounds heard are the white noise from a fan humming in the distance and the occasional shuffle of someone shifting in their seat. At first blush, the scene painted looks a lot like team-based learning, when students study a topic on their own, and then work together to come up with solutions to a presented problem.