Heritage Valley Family Medicine -Zoo Scavenger Hunt 2024 

1. What was the general understanding of the purpose of the project/program by participants?

The Heritage Valley Family Medicine residents recognized this program as a team building opportunity and a chance to bond with other residents in a relaxed setting.

2. Why did you choose the specific wellness project/activity?

Our project was an organized scavenger hunt at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. The goal

of this activity was to promote a healthy work-life balance in our program by providing residents with the opportunity to engage in self-guided learning about zoology and ecology in an environment that emphasized team-building and camaraderie.

3. During the project/program, what tangible tools or strategies were demonstrated or taught to address wellness and life balance?

Our residents found that this project was helpful in providing an occasion in which we could relax and connect with one another. This activity also provided a learning opportunity to separate work from free time and to appreciate the environment around us.

4. What do you intend to do, upon returning to work, that you learned and practiced during the activity, that will improve your response to stressful situations?

Our residents found this program as a teaching moment to take time for one’s own wellness each day so that we can be ready to handle stressful situations when they occur. You can’t pour from an empty cup! One team had mentioned that they will strive to take a lesson from the goldfish and “just appreciate the journey ahead!”

5. What can POMA do to address wellness and life balance for your future?

Our residents were appreciative of this opportunity and hope that POMA continues to support residencies in promoting wellness and community through events such as this. We also hope for more opportunities to work with POMA in future projects that might allow us to exhibit osteopathic principles and practices to our MD colleagues