BA/MD Wellness Initiative
This initiative is to help BA/MD students develop a strong wellness basis to support them during their undergraduate career and eventually at the School of Medicine. The initiative is modeled after the seven areas of the Wellness Wheel, which captures the environmental, intellectual, social, physical, spiritual, occupational, and emotional aspects of wellness. Participating in the BA/MD Wellness Initiative is entirely optional, and students may participate in none or any number of events depending on their availability and desire. 
Fall and Spring Cohort Events
Each fall and spring semester, students can expect at least one event structured to share experiences and strategies to best support their journey in the BA/MD Program. Events will include small group or panel discussions at least once a semester which will spotlight undergraduate or medical school students, faculty, or health professionals who are willing to share their experiences.
Below are past events the Program has offered:
- From BA/MD Undergrad to Medical School
BA/MD undergraduate and medical students shared their experiences through storytelling. With four presenters, the event gave a well-rounded perspective of the BA/MD student trajectory and featured the perspectives of students from 3rd year in undergraduate to fourth year medical student. - Self-Hypnosis Workshop
Through patient case presentation, this workshop given by Dr. Robert Sapien discussed health benefits of medical hypnotherapy. It introduced medical and scientific foundations of hypnosis for stress relief and allowed an (optional) opportunity to learn self-hypnosis for stress reduction. This is a technique that many BA/MD medical students have reported to be beneficial. - Pet Corner
Pet therapy is an important part of emotional, social and physical health. Studies have shown the benefits of animal therapy in promoting human-animal interactions and oxytocin (feel good cuddle hormone). At Olivia's Pet Corner students, staff and faculty join virtually (future events in-person once it's safe to do so) to introduce their pets and marvel at other's pets.
Psychosocial and Psychophysiological Effects of Human-Animal Interactions: The Possible Role of Oxytocin- Frontiers in Psychology, July 2012
