MSTP Retreat 2024
by Kimmy Bress (G3)
This year’s Annual MSTP Retreat was held at Lake Barkley Resort State Park, celebrating the theme of “Navigating Transitions”. In addition to continuing many retreat traditions such as welcoming the incoming M1 class to their advising colleges and hosting the G1 White Coat ceremony, this year’s retreat featured several new activities including three interactive Antiracism, Diversity and Inclusion Sessions as well as the first-ever edition of MSTP Family Feud.
The 2024 MSTP Retreat was a wonderful opportunity for students and faculty to reflect on the transitions that they have navigated over the past year, including both successes and challenges. This year’s keynote speaker Dr. Mace Rothenberg (former Chief Medical Officer of Pfizer) shared some incredible insights from his own career path, which has spanned multiple leadership positions across academia and industry. Finally, there was ample opportunity for discussing research and forming near-peer connections through the G2 and G3 Poster Session and G4 Oral Presentations.
We extend a special thank you to the G3 class, including the retreat co-chairs Nada Elsayed (G3) and Kimberly Bress (G3), as well as Program Manager Bryn Sierra for leading the organization of this year’s retreat. We also thank MSTP Antiracism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ADI) Committee members Jeewoo Kim (G3), Sarah Reed (G4), Xavier Bledsoe (G5), Ariel Thorson (G3), Candace Grisham (G4), and Kaitlin McKernan (G3) for facilitating the interactive sessions focused on integrating ADI principles into research and clinical practice. Finally, we thank faculty members Dr. Ben Park, Dr. Patrick Hu, Stacey Satchell, Dr Ethan Lee, Dr. Ambra Pozzi, and Dr. Chris Williams for facilitating this year’s Wellness Sessions.
We are grateful for the opportunity to gather as a community and strengthen our connections to one another. We look forward to all the growth that this upcoming academic year will bring!