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Students mark first day with fun, interaction by Cindy Abole Public Relations When 157 new medical students converged at James Island County Park (JICP) on Aug. 17 for first-year orientation, they devoted their first encounter as a class to group enrichment, fun and an opportunity to create new friendships. The students also became part of a team that will unite them throughout the next four years as they evolve to become physicians.   Medicine students Jenny Blakely and Michael Myrick twirl their way through a dance line routine as teammates cheer them. “Our goal was to create an orientation that was both fun and functional,” said Candace Gillespie, student affairs director, College of Medicine (COM) Office of Academic and Student Affairs. “Medical school is truly a unique experience. Our past experiences show that as students learn to enjoy steady, friendly relationships with their peers, they find it easier to adjust and settle into medical school and student life. We want our students to know that we care and take a personal interest in each of them throughout their time at MUSC.”   The orientation was organized by the academic and student affairs staff and guided by medical students, including second-year students of the college’s peer advisory group and new Medical Education Development and Resource Committee (MEDCOM). Planning for this student-led program was initiated in late spring.   COM students Stephen Finley, left seated, and Heather Leisy, right, join fellow students as they await instructions relating to New Student Orientation and challenge course activities planned at James Island County Park. COM’s curriculum has long promoted training and learning in a variety of environments. Within the past year, the college has embraced interprofessional education and interdisciplinary health care teams as part of the learning experience. Gillespie learned about the team- building program introduced at Baylor College of Medicine and sought more information. Organizers wanted to promote the value of teamwork and interaction to enhance each student’s medical school experience.   Christina Mrowca, a third-year medicine student, was credited for creating the MEDCOM program. Following her lead, second-year students Jeff Korman, Julie Robinson and Jenna Walters were solicited and chosen to develop and implement the MEDCOM initiative. They learned about JICP’s Challenge Course that has successfully offered groups an opportunity to meet goals and experience the thrill of achievement when exceeding limitations using teamwork and communication.   “Reorganizing the new student orientation provided our students with an opportunity to comfortably interact, form bonds and create a natural support system with each other,” Gillespie said. “The only other times students interact on this level is through the doctoring curriculum when they share experiences.”   Faculty advisor Dr. Robert Turner, left, completes a matching activity with student John Lydon. The class was divided into color-coded teams of 12-14 students, which included a faculty advisor and two second-year student advisors, who would serve as their “family” throughout all four years of school. The teams were organized by common interests such as hobbies and sports.   To help with preparation, Gillespie and event organizers held a training session Aug. 15 with participating faculty advisors and students to review orientation plans. They completed a game plan for their team for the coming year.   At the training, common themes emerged among students, including balancing academics and personal lives, study strategies, extracurricular activities and community involvement. When the first-year student groups meet, they will discuss these themes, among other interests and concerns. Day camp and ice breakers Arriving at JICP’s Wappoo Shelter in their color-coordinated T-shirts, the COM Class of 2011, advisors and other student supporters began orientation with several easy ice breakers and field activities led by JICP event coordinators Danielle Palka and Wendy Wicke. Students formed a big circle and were asked to divide into groups based upon their answers to random questions asked by facilitators. They were divided by in-state and out-of-state students, coffee versus non-coffee drinkers,  etc. Next, students paired with random partners to complete an observation activity and other field drills as part of group competitions. They were rewarded with a pig-pickin’ picnic lunch.   “I enjoyed the morning session a lot,” said Dalzell native Anna Edens. “These activities are helpful in breaking down the barriers that students have coming into a new experience like this.”   “The icebreaker activities were fun and a nice way to get to know our fellow students, and most importantly, the people in our groups,” said David Thomason of Anderson.   Next, students participated in the challenge course in which they relied on each other and their team mates as they moved through a cableline course, 35-40 feet in the air. Participants wore rock climbing helmets, harnesses, and used a belay system to complete the course.   “It’s great to get to know people through this experience,” said Katie Mitchum of Georgetown. “It’s helpful to connect one another by faces and names. It will help us as we get to know each other throughout the year.”   The results of these positive experiences also were shared by faculty participants.   “I’m honored to participate in this program as a faculty advisor,” said Robert P. Turner, M.D., associate professor, Departments of Neurosciences, Pediatrics and Biostatistics, Bioinformatics & Epidemiology. “For most of these students, medical school will be one of the toughest times of their lives. Making these students and faculty connections early will be valuable to each of them throughout their learning and career. Today’s activities are exactly what should happen prior to the start of formal classes.”      “There’s a correlation to team work and the clinical experience,” said Roneka L. Ravenell, M.D., a 2004 COM alumnus and faculty advisor completing a fellowship in the Division of Rheumatology and Immunology. “This program is an invaluable experience and great way for students to get to know their peers, medical faculty and staff. Students are reminded that life needs balance and that’s accomplished through hard work, rest and play. And when challenges occur in life, students should always know there are people to turn to and resources available to help them in their needs.”   Most importantly, the orientation helped students learn characteristics like leadership, communication, socialization and professionalism that would be invaluable to them individually and within their teams. The effort is among a growing list of student-led programs involving medical students that include the Charity Ball, COM Student Council and other projects.   Teams will meet regularly and participate in organized activities, from coffee and book discussions to bowling and movie nights.   “The hope is that as students matriculate through their first year and throughout medical school, they’ll also learn to grow and trust each other in all types of activities,” said Julie Robinson, a second-year medical student who helped organize the first-year orientation events.   After orientation, students participated in the  White Coat Ceremony Aug. 19. Their formal welcome and introduction was held Aug. 20 by COM dean Jerry Reves, M.D., and medical school faculty and staff.     Friday, Sept. 7, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.