Date: April 30, 2026 | noon
Title: Tiny Stories Project Writing Session
Speakers: Jessica Babal, MD, & Marissa LoCastro, MD
Overview:
The project invites residents, fellows, and faculty to write 55-word stories describing a moment in residency that was humbling, stressful, relatable, rewarding, or challenging. There is special interest in having physician faculty provide stories to show residents that they are not alone in their difficult experiences.
Participants would have the option to have their stories anonymously displayed at an art gallery–style event in June, designed to foster connection across UW SMPH departments. Many departments across UW SMPH are contributing this year, and it would be wonderful to have our Pediatrics faculty well-represented! Or, participants could keep their work for themselves, no sharing is required.
The Tiny Story project lead, Marissa Locastro, is also looking for pediatric staff to pilot participation, sharing about their humbling, stressful, relatable, rewarding, or challenging experiences as they entered the world of academic medicine. Staff would have the option for their work to be posted in a mini gallery within the department hallways, or kept for personal use only, no sharing required.
Where: Zoom
Flourish Hour is accessible to all faculty, staff, and trainees and these sessions are created to support department members in flourishing in their careers. Sessions may include a variety of topics that relate to our department’s Strategic Priorities (DoP login required), as well as topics such as finding passion in your work, how to utilize time management strategies, and how to live a healthier life. These sessions are recorded and can be accessed on the Department of Pediatrics Intranet. If you are interested in hosting, teaching and/or suggesting a future professional development event, please complete the Professional Development Activity Request Form.
