On Wednesday, our last full day in Napa, the group visited geysers and The Petrified Forest in Calistoga, CA. We were led along a beautiful trail by our knowledgable tour guide, Janet, whose family owns the park, and offers discounts to educational groups such as ours. Janet informed us that the wood became petrified approximately 3.4 million years ago when a volcano errupted, covering the forest in glassy lava. The wood remains preserved, and has now taken on the feel of rock. It is hard to beleive until you touch the rock itself. As I reflect back on the day, I am struck by the vastness and age of the land around us.

So much has happened in the healthcare world around us in just the past 200 years, and is a reminder that time presents opportunity for infinite changes and improvements to be made. This week we have been… Continue reading →

In the morning our safety moment consisted of Dr. Mayer speaking about mindfulness vs. mindfulness and action. In a grocery store, Dr. Mayer noticed a puddle. He pointed out the puddle to his good friend, Cliff, and continued walking. Meanwhile, his Cliff noted the puddle, found a manager, and ensured the issue was addressed and resolved so that no adverse outcomes would result. This safety moment reminded me of the conversation I had with my small group during the domino game on Monday. We spoke of the danger of workarounds, which, in the hospital setting, is the equivalent of noticing. Puddle and walking around it (sorry Dr. Mayer!)

A workaround I have frequently encountered is the malfunction of the emar system at the bedside. Either 1. The computer is running too slow to realistically accommodate the morning med pass 2. The scanner is broken or 3. The bar code on… Continue reading →

We had a packed day to kick start the Marseille Summer Camp. I was struck by The Lewis Blackman story, and so grateful for Helen Haskell’s participation and presence. It is these stories that humble us, as healthcare providers, and remind us why taking just four short days to come together as a healthcare community is SO important. Thank you, Helen, on behalf of myself and my fellow students, for your courage and grace. The open and direct conversation you had with us this morning was eye opening. I look forward to continuing these meaningful kinds of conversations as the next three days progress. The different opinions and perspectives that the Marseille students and faculty make for an exciting and challenging dialogue. More to come! Thanks to all for a wonderful first day.