Camp Holiday Trails Charlottesville, VA A camp dedicated to children with special health needs and the site of our first 4th year medical student retreat!
The camp is located approximately 10 minutes from the University of Virginia Health System, a convenient getaway for students, residents and faculty members participating in the retreat.
Overnight cabins for the medical students and fire pit.
Camp Holiday Trails Pavilion, a multipurpose site used for meals, informal gatherings and keynote address.
4th year medical students gather at the start of the retreat on Friday, April 17th 2009.
Students enjoy a delicious catered dinner from Hotcakes.
There's no place like Camp!
Retreat overview and introductions by Jason Franasiak, founder of the 4th year medical student retreat.
"Reflection on our Experiences" session. Students reflect on difficult situations that make them fearful or concerned about beginning residency.
After cards are completed they are collected and redistributed among the group.
Note cards are read aloud by peers to the group.
Several common themes recur: concern for hurting patients, losing compassion, becoming cynical.
This session allowed students to anonymously address concerns among their peer group.
Close of the "Reflecting on our Experiences" discussion with the burning of narrative note cards.
Students take time to review articles for the next session "Looking Forward with Anticipation".
Articles include Dr. Atul Gawande's essay Suggestions for Becoming a Positive Deviant...
And the AAMC President's Address in 2007: "Culture and the Courage to Change" by Darrell G. Kirch, M.D. Lively debate [staged] among students.
Positively enjoyable journal articles.
A break & laughs before the start of the next session.
Second evening session begins "Looking Forward with Anticipation"
Students discuss concepts presented in their readings.
Last session of the evening "Letter Writing: A Voice Into the Future"
Students break off to begin to write letters to themselves 6 months into their internship year.
One portion of the letter focused on positive things they wish to have part of their everyday practice of medicine as interns.
The second portion of the letter reiterated characteristics they hoped to continue to embody despite the rigors of internship year.
Students complete their letter by the camp fire.
After letters are completed, the "official" sessions of the evening are concluded.
Self explanatory image.
a) Slow Roast b) Char c) Flambe d) Rotisserie
Animesh and Jessie enjoying their marshmellows.
Who's got the best marshmellow roasting stick in the house?
The talented Matt Meeneghan on his guitar.
Leigh Jones and Wafa Khatib enjoying the warmth of the fire on a beautiful Charlottesville night.
Kimberly Woods and Brooke Kilfoil comparing sticks.
Hanging out into the night.
Group songs by the fire.
Residents join students for coffee and conversation around the fire pit.
Former POM 1 family members reunite.
Retreat materials prepared with the help of some fantastic individuals back at the medical center.
Faculty members begin to arrive on Saturday morning.
Morning cheer from our UVa faculty.
Saturday, April 18th Jason gives a warm welcome to the residents and faculty who have joined us.
Congregating in the Pavilion in preparation for the Keynote lecture.
Dr. Sharon Hostler gives the keynote address.
Participants listening to keynote address.
Medical student Laura Koehn, responds to the question "How do you define family?"
Musical piece from the CD, Pandora's Box: Songs of Hope.
Early morning fire before the official start of Day 2.
Faculty and residents enjoying a beautiful Charlottesville day.
Example of an "Object Meaning" -- During small group sessions, participants were asked to bring an object that symbolized why they became or are interested in medicine.
Small groups consisted of a mix of faculty, residents and students from all disciplines.
Catered lunch from Take It Away.
Retreat small groups allowed faculty and residents to share with students how they personally maintain humanism in medicine.
Retreat Small Group.
Student and resident retreat participants: Leigh Jones & Sam Taylor.
Retreat planning team: My, Mindy, Dr. Peterson, Jason, Dr. Becker and Dr. Hostler.
Mindy Ju, Jason Franasiak & My Tran 4th year UVa Medical students
