A Walk in Nature | Women in Medicine Community
Like music and art, love of nature is a common language that can transcend political or social boundaries.- President Jimmy Carter
Our Women in Medicine community met for the first time in person this past Tuesday. It was such a treat to see physicians I had only seen on Zoom and also to meet some new members outside. After this past year, I felt like an escapee from “ZoomWorld” to the world of nature. We had the pleasure of having an expert, Barbara Ray from the Dublin Rec Center guide us on a walk along the Kiwanis Riverway Park which is tucked away on Riverside Drive and feels like you’re in some jungle safari.
On a normal run outside I have my AirPods in and am focused on music and pace. But this time all of us were focused on the variety of birds chirping and trying to find them in the trees. Who knew that every sparrow has a different chirp and that the blind crossing noise in Old Dublin is the chirp of an oriole! Evenings are not the best time to see birds but there were so many different noises that Barbara was able to identify with the specific bird that we almost could imagine the bird sitting up above us.
Along the walk, we also learned about the different trees and plants in the marsh along the path. Some trees have smooth bark to prevent animals from climbing them while other trees prefer the marshy waters but their roots need to be above water to breathe. These were the Bald Cypress. The black cherry tree looked like it covered in burnt potato chips while the Hackberry tree had raised ridges.
I think I speak for the group when we finished and all felt a sense of tranquility and harmony with nature. There is something amazing about learning how each plant, bird, and animal coexist and how they all have a purpose and place in the circle of life.
The pandemic and last year’s pause in terms of everything shutting down helped me to reconnect with the joy of walking with friends and family. It was a safe way to get together and maintain connections while staying healthy. Now that the world is opening up again it’s important to get off the nonstop treadmill of work and take time to walk and listen to the sounds of nature.
If the lack of social interaction was something you missed, our Women in Medicine group is wonderful. Please join us for our monthly get-togethers and consider becoming a mentor to an OU or OSU medical student. As one of our participants said on Tuesday she’s really enjoyed getting to meet other women physicians who have similar interests and who may be navigating the same issues at work that she has faced.
Click here to find out more about the CMA’s Women in Medicine Community.
