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Your monthly digest of empathy and compassion research and news at UC San Diego. Proudly delivered by the Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion, and its six supporting centers — securing a kinder, more compassionate health system for all.
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Photo Credit: UC San Diego School of Medicine
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UC San Diego School of Medicine Students Harness the Power of Music for Patient- and Self-Care |
Last fall, we were fortunate to have Josh Robinson join the Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion as a guest artist facilitator. Josh led three sessions of courses at UC San Diego School of Medicine that promoted empathy and compassion, specifically in Compassionate Arts- and Humanities-Based Peer Facilitation (a new elective), and Compassionate Action and Real Engagement with the community (CARE I and II; core courses for first- and second- year medical students).
Josh was a huge hit with the medical students during his joyfully loud drumming and music-making sessions. During his time with us, he expertly trained faculty and student facilitators to lead small group "Soundtrack of Your Life" sessions, whereby students shared a live snippet and personal story of a meaningful song from their life within a small group. This session helped students see how music connects people, allows them to appreciate each other's stories and overcome biases, and perhaps most importantly, provides an important outlet in the fast-paced, emotionally-challenging world of medicine.
Here's what some of our UC San Diego MS1 and MS2 students had to say about their experience in Josh Robinson's music sessions:
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"It was wonderful hearing about the memories and stories that songs hold for each of my classmates, and I thought it was a great way to learn about each other on a more personal level. In a clinical context, it teaches us that every person has a story, and we should cherish that story."
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"This was one of the most meaningful experiences I have had in medical school thus far. Sharing something deep and personal required energy, effort, and vulnerability. Not only did this activity give me perspective on what it feels like to be a patient sharing something vulnerable, but it also gave me practice on using active listening and listening with the intention of actually listening and learning."
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Sanford Institute Endowed Professor Eric Garland, PhD, to Keynote NIH Research Workshop |
On February 13, Eric Garland, PhD, will give a keynote lecture at the National Institutes of Health research workshop "Adapting Evidence-Based Mind and Body Interventions: Why, When, and How." Garland's lecture will center on his evidence-based therapy Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (also known as: MORE). He will discuss how to launch and move treatment development research program across the NIH Stage Model from mechanistic experiments and Stage 1 pilot trials to Stage 2/3 efficacy testing and Stage 4/5 implementation-effectiveness research in the real world.
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*Free livestreaming available
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Center Director Published in New Textbook |
Center for Compassionate Communication Director Dr. Evonne Kaplan-Liss contributed a chapter in the new textbook "Becoming a Better Physician." This book features inspiring true stories from clinicians, residents, and medical students.
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Neurobiology Research Hub Launches |
Chaired by Sanford Institute Endowed Professor, Monique Smith, PhD, this inaugural neurobiology research hub aims to establish translational behavior models to bridge the gap between human and rodent empathy and compassion research.
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New Look, Same Commitment to Compassion |
Our esteemed Sanford Institute faculty and staff members participated in a team picture day with UC San Diego Health Sciences this month. Stay tuned for the launch of our fresh look and upcoming empathy and compassion initiatives.
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Meet Dr. Gerald Tolbert, the Assistant Director for Medical Education at the Sanford Institute — and our newest team member!
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- What’s brings you joy?
Family, friends, medical students, sunsets, and occasionally quiet contemplation.
- What is a personal life goal you hope to achieve?
To have a huge impact amongst those most vulnerable and to win first place in a national judo tournament.
- What’s your dream job in an alternate universe?
Getting rid of hate and creating an environment of opportunity.
- What’s your favorite poem?
"Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou. I thought about this poem when I graduated from undergrad, medical school, residency and any other big achievement in my life.
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| Pictured: Dr. Tolbert with his wife and kids
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Pictured: A very good dog!
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At the Sanford Institute, we know pets have a positive impact on our empathy and compassion — not just because we feel it, but because research validates it. That's why, it's high time we spotlight the pets that make us more compassionate, starting with Grace (our Director of Medical Integration Jenna Tutjer's dog!).
Grace was rescued by The Animal Pad in 2022. She was found with TVT cancer and treated when Jenna started fostering her... which she failed at within a week and adopted her! Grace loves wearing pajamas, sunbathing on the patio couch, and destroying stuffies. Her best quirk is every time she passes a person on a walk, she lays down and rolls over for belly rubs. Whether she knows them or not, she's a people lover. (And we love Grace all the more for it!)
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@UCSDCompassion | #UCSDSanfordCompassion |
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