Programs & Events

The OMSW team develops and implements a wide range of programs and events to promote student wellness. These include:

• The Stanford Wilderness Education Active orientation Trip (SWEAT) is a pre-orientation wilderness trip for incoming medical students led by second-year medical students who complete a wilderness medicine and leadership course. SWEAT aims to enhance students’ sense of belonging to the Stanford University School of Medicine community, foster relationships that last throughout medical school, and build students’ confidence to tackle the physical and mental challenges that medical school brings. In 2014, over 90%  of incoming students participated in the elective trip, and more than 20 second-year students returned to serve as trip leaders. 

• The Bike Safety Program was initially developed by medical students to promote bike safety and help change bike safety culture at Stanford University. OMSW co-sponsors the program along with Parking & Transportation Services. All incoming students are asked to sign an online bike safety pledge in exchange for receiving a bike helmet and safety kit. In 2014, 86 of the 95 incoming medical and masters’ students pledged to wear their helmets and follow the rules of the road. Survey data from last year indicated that 6 months after signing the pledge, 79% of students reported helmet use and 87% reported bike light use.

great way to de-stress

opportunity to spend time with classmates, older students, and faculty mentors

• The Stanford Medical School Cup (SMS Cup) is an annual field day event to foster community building within and between learning communities. Faculty members serve as team coaches and cheer for their students as they engage in friendly competition in a series of events including relay races, dodge ball, and trivia. Students have called it a “great way to de-stress” and an “opportunity to spend time with classmates, older students, and faculty mentors.” In 2014, more than 100 students, faculty, and staff members participated.
•