Dear Wellness Community,
As we welcome the approaching summer solstice and embrace the longer and lighter days, we are reminded of the inevitability of change. This is especially true for our trainees, as June marks a time of significant transition – as many of you graduate, some leave the area for new jobs or fellowships, and others move into their next year of training with new roles and responsibilities.
First, let me extend heartfelt congratulations to our graduates and a sincere thank you for your dedication and excellent care of our patients! I continue to be moved and inspired by your strength, courage, perseverance, and resilience, as you navigate this arduous training and your own personal lives that bring their own joys and challenges.
This time of transition can bring a whole host of feelings from excitement and hopefulness to fear and vulnerability. It is important to honor and make space for all feelings, including any sense of loss or unfulfilled expectations. I hope you will take time to reflect on your experiences and the emotions that arise. As you do so, remember to be gentle with yourself and to reach out to others for support. The Wellness Team is also here to offer guidance and a listening ear.
I hope you will also find time to rest and recoup! The glorious summers in the PNW provide the perfect opportunity to connect with nature and nourish your body and mind. Spend time outdoors, soak up the sun, and engage in activities that bring you joy and rejuvenation. I hope you will find some new ideas for doing just this, in this June edition of the Wellness Corner.
Lastly, I want to extend a special thank you to our newest team member, Amy Wheat, for her contributions to this month’s newsletter! We are thrilled to have you on the team!
I leave you with this poem For Celebration by John O’Donohue, and I wish you all much joy, fulfillment, and support on the next steps of your journey! Please stay in touch.
Warmly,
This week’s Wellness Corner authored by:
Patty Long-Brohm, LICSW
GME Wellness Counselor
Monday – Wednesday at Seattle Children’s Hospital
pattylb@uw.edu
GME Wellness Counseling
Contents
GME Wellness Team Feedback
The Wellness Team values your input and honest feedback. Please take a few moments to share your experience through the feedback survey link. Your responses will remain confidential and only be used for internal evaluation purposes. Your feedback can help us offer better offerings to our community. If you prefer to share any comments directly, you can reach out via email to Dipti Chrastka.
GME Events and Resources
- Please mark your calendars for the Annual GME AY24 Event Calendar. The GME Website remains the best way to get the most up-to-date information. Check out the PD & PA and Resident & Fellow pages for info on upcoming and past events including resources and recordings (if applicable).
- Information by Training Site: Sleep/Rest Facilities, Food, Quiet Spaces: includes emergency codes and numbers.
- Workplace Health & Safety: includes public safety escorts and safety contact information as well as reporting tools.
Celebrate Pride
- Exploring your identity or navigating training as a queer provider? Schedule a drop-in session at UW’s Q Center to explore topics from sexual health to academic advising.
- Browse resources from the UW Medicine Transgender and Gender Non-Binary Program, including safer binding strategies and tips for Spanish-speaking families of transgender youth.
- Join four-time WNBA Champions, the Seattle Storm for Pride Night on June 22nd. Check out Seattle Pride for a full listing of events around the city, including the Pride Parade, June 25th!
Juneteenth and Black Health
- RSVP for the Washington Therapy Fund Foundation’s annual fundraiser which provides free therapy to Black youth and adults. You can also search their directory or similar resources from The National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network or Therapy for Black Girls to find a BIPOC aligned therapist for yourself, a patient, or somebody you love.
- On June 18th, celebrate black-owned businesses at the Juneteenth Revival Market hosted by Arte Noir and the Capitol Hill Eco-District. Learn more about the history of this 155-year-old holiday at the week of community events hosted by the Northwest African American Museum.
- Join the Seattle Mariners for a Salute to the Negro Leagues on June 19th. If you can’t make the game, stop by Steelheads Alley, a partnership between the Mariners and Metier Brewing, one of the few black-owned breweries in the nation.
Vashon Lavender Farm
Trans Pride Seattle
Free Yoga in the Park
Summer Activities
- Enjoy the beautiful summer days at an outdoor movie or play, or on one of these 10 wonderful day hikes! No car, no problem. Catch a bus direct to Mount Si trailhead!
- Don’t miss the 33rd Annual Fremont Solstice Parade on June 17th starting at 2pm at Third and Leary Way! Stay for the family friendly Fremont Fair – June 17-18th – with food, music, art and crafts.
- Enjoy the bounty of the season by exploring the Farmers Markets around the city. You can find one open Wednesday-Sunday! While there, check out the independent bookstores and these summer reading suggestions from the WP Book World writers/editors and the WholeU.
Mindfulness Minute
- For solace, hope, and a reminder of universal truths, watch this beautiful animated short film adapted from the much-loved book by Charlie Mackesy – The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.
- Take a 10 min Happiness Break with indigenous scholar Yuria Celidwen, as she guides a meditation to deepen our sense of belonging and connection to the earth.
- One of the joys of summer is listening to the symphony of birds. Check out this interactive article about how bird songs are good for our mental health!
Wellness Corner Quick Links
Gems from Treasure Valley
- Experience awe at the newly opened Bruneau Dunes Observatory.
- Visit the Green Acres Food Truck Park on June 17th for a full-body cardio experience based on the fun of playing the drums. All donations will benefit Boise Pride.
- Find delight in a romantic comedy at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival Amphitheater & Reserve.
Got Feedback for Us?
We’d love to hear it! Share your thoughts about the Wellness Corner, suggestions for future events, discounts or articles to highlight, or anything else you’d like to share. Please email your thoughts to Dipti Chrastka (diptic@uw.edu), Julia Kocian (jkocian@uw.edu), Patty Long-Brohm (pattylb@uw.edu), Howard Schafer (hischa5@uw.edu), and or Amy Wheat (amywheat@uw.edu).