Well-Being Programs

We provide a broad range of programs throughout the year to support medical student wellness. Many of our programs are connected with the academic curriculum, and we collaborate with other wellness groups on the UCSF campus. Below are a few of the programs we offer.

Well-Being Rounds - We meet with third-year medical students in the hospital while they are on rotations. Our staff leads discussions for one hour during Surgery, Medicine, Ob/Gyn, and PISCES. We address the joys and stressors of clinical rotations. Our goal is to acknowledge the inherent challenges of clinical rotations, the impact on your personal life and health, being exposed to human suffering, the vulnerability of constant evaluation, and the valuable support of your peers.

Partners in Medicine - We host a welcoming dinner for new first-year students and their partners. Seniors students and their partners join us to welcome the new students. This event builds community among the incoming class and their significant others, addresses the worries about the impact of medical school on partnerships, and emphasizes the value of being in a relationship. In the spring, we host another event for medical students and their partners. A few other events that have been held in the past include a seminar with a couples therapist, a discussion with an expert on marriages between two professionals, and social events.

First Generation Discussion Group – We provide a weekly discussion group for first generation students. Students are free to drop in and bring their lunch. This is open to new immigrants, children of immigrants, first generation to attend college, or anyone experiencing cultural challenges while in medical school.

Women of Color Discussion Group – We provide a weekly discussion group for women of color. This has been a popular group developing out of the Underrepresented in Medicine dinners.

Well-Being Linked Sessions – During the first-year curriculum, we host lunchtime workshops to promote student wellness. These sessions are linked with lecture topics in the curriculum. We introduce students to resources on campus and healthy living styles that connect with what they are learning. Some of the workshops we run are on mindfulness meditation, yoga, emotional empowerment, cognitive behavioral therapy, suicide discussion, substance abuse, and coping with death and dying.

Oral Presentation Skills Seminar - During the first Intersession, after new third-years have experienced presenting on rotations, we offer a public speaking skills workshop. A professional public speaking coach leads an interactive seminar for students to help them articulate their thoughts, speak with conviction, and stand confidently.

Dr. Wishbone Articles – Our staff writes quarterly articles for the UCSF newspaper, Synapse, about wellness topics that are pertinent to our students. Some of the topics we have written about include homesickness, sleep, hygiene, self-assessment for depression, and healthy exercise habits.

Mental Health Awareness Week – In collaboration with other groups on campus, we host this week in the fall. We provide a speaker who addresses mental health issues for the Pat Patterson Memorial Lecture. Dr. Patterson was a beloved anatomy professor in the medical school who tragically committed suicide. We also lead an engaging panel discussion of UCSF students who talk about their personal experiences with mental health issues.

Body Image Awareness Week – In collaboration with other groups on campus, we host this week in the spring. There are many events on campus including a speaker, movie, clothes donation drive, and panel discussions.

Passport to Wellness – In collaboration with other groups, we participate in the campus-wide wellness program in the spring. We host events at which students collect stamps to win raffle prizes. Students can collect these stamps at many wellness activities held at UCSF.

These are only some of the exciting programs we offer. We are always open to new ideas and welcome any suggestions.