The start of medical school is a major achievement for students who have long strived toward this lofty goal, and many on this path overwhelmingly want to commemorate this feat in a special, memorable way. On July 23, 2023, the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine (KPSOM) Welcome Event certainly delivered by receiving and celebrating the Class of 2027 at the Altadena Town & Country Club. On students’ arrival and check-in, activities kicked off with a unique playing-card-themed icebreaker that provided students the perfect chance to forge social connections with classmates from their Learning Community Groups. The new class was also able to participate in exciting activity challenges issued by the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) prompting participants to take group selfies, take photos in order from tallest to shortest, or with those wearing particular colors, and more.
Laura Hamilton, MA, KPSOM Director of Student Affairs, officially welcomed the incoming class of students in her address and presented a comprehensive overview of the OSA and Office of Student Engagement (OSE) during a slideshow highlighting the KPSOM community and student life. Hamilton also introduced KPSOM team members who offer students additional support such as the leadership team and Angela Dash, PhD, MPA, KPSOM Ombuds Officer.