Wellness Committee

The Wellness Committee is committed to comprehensively promoting the health of LCOM students and fostering a campus-wide culture that prioritizes medical student wellbeing, vulnerability, and interconnection. We work toward these goals by facilitating interactive recreational and educational events, developing lasting wellness initiatives, and serving as an empathetic group of medical students and faculty who LCOM students can turn to for guidance and resources in times of need.

The Wellness Committee is comprised of three faculty members and six students from each class (2 CT campus and 4 VT campus). Students are elected to the wellness committee by their peers and meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month. 

The Committee serves to promote the health of the student body through educational and recreational events within UVM LCOM. We cultivate wellness through well-being centered events, individual peer support, connection to wellness resources, and discussions with the administration about wellness incorporation or concerns. We also support Student Interest Group and student-led initiatives to increase well-being within our community.

Some of our recurring events include:

Monthly Fresh Fridays - where fresh produce is brought into the student lounge as a healthy snack break between classes.

Monthly Peer Support groups - usually held in conjunction with Fresh Friday, this event holds space for students to discuss any wellness-related issues with the Committee members in an accessible environment.

Tea at Twelve - A weekly snack break for second-year students during their Convergence course and while studying for Step 1 in January.

Mindfulness mini-series - A multi-session workshop on incorporating mindfulness into our lives and helping to manage stress.

Exercise classes - We host several group exercise classes, including yoga and spin classes, throughout the year. 

End of year BBQ - First year reps host an end of year celebration for their class at one of the local parks, after their final exam of the year.

Mental Health Panel: M1s were able to hear from various upperclassmen telling their stories about what resources and techniques they have used to navigate medical school.

Ski and Ride Night: Students went to Bolton for a night of skiing and snowboarding.  Wellness subsidized night lift tickets and provided free rentals to those who did not have their own. 

Monthly Wellness Hour/Peer Support: Wellness Committee leaders facilitated conversation with fellow students around the  stresses of medical school, life outside of school, social unrest, and more, opening up a space for meaningful dialogue, vulnerability, and connection. 

Orientation Wellness Events: Medical students lead a variety of wellness events for incoming first years during their orientation week, including rock climbing, yoga, a coffee walk, soccer etc. 

Wellness Walks: Wellness Committee members organized a walk to help students experience the New England foliage with their classmates and learn about some nearby nature paths.