The School of Graduate Studies event emphasizes wellness
March 17, 2026
On February 18, the school welcomed 125 participants to graduation for a “Relaxing, Putting Yourself First, Relaxation and Wellness Retreat for Graduate Students.”
Photo: A physician assistant (PA) smiles as she receives a free yoga mat and tote bag during the Rooted in Rest event. Photo by Angela Jackson
On February 18, the University of Maryland School of Graduate Studies welcomed 125 participants to the “Rooted in Peace, Self First, Peace and Wellness Retreat for Graduate Students” to graduate.
The purpose of the day-long meeting was to prioritize their well-being and well-being during their arduous academic journey as graduate students.
Shani Fleming, PhD, MSHS, MPH, PA-C, associate professor and associate dean for values and strategic initiatives with the School of Graduate Studies, discussed the importance of learning about ways to improve well-being to reduce the stress of graduate school.
“Today is not about adding something to your to-do list,” she said. “Today gives you space to explore exercises to create your wellness plan.”
Fleming added, “In order to provide the best patient care, we have to make sure that we are being taken care of as well.”
The event’s keynote speaker was Amanda Smith Brion, MS, CHES, CHWC, Senior Vice President, URecFit and Health.
She led the group through discussion and exercises designed to identify factors that contribute to stress and fatigue and equip them with tools to strengthen their mental health and well-being.
“Well-being is a journey, and today we’re taking steps toward emotional and mental health,” Smith-Bryon said.
She identified factors that contribute to stress, fatigue, and burnout. Students learned tactics to integrate relaxation and self-care, while learning to create habits and make behavioral changes to reduce stress.
Stress reduction tools discussed include deep breathing, stretching, journaling, and talking with a friend. Incorporating micro-breaks to step away from screens and going for a 10-minute walk goes a long way to reset stress levels. Planning and preparing meals ahead of time reduces the stress of finding lunch in the middle of a busy day.
Smith encouraged students to reach out to URecFit and Wellness for resources.
“If you’re stressed out, seek professional help, otherwise you risk burnout, which is difficult to come back from,” she said.
Symptoms of burnout include chronic fatigue, sadness, depression or extreme depression, difficulty concentrating on tasks, and brain fog.
Rest is an important part of self-care and is an intentional break. It is not just a dream, but an active exercise and not a lack of activity. Suggested micro-breaks include doodling on paper or taking a 10-minute walk.
“What does micro-comfort look like if you’re on campus?” she asked. “What are the little things you like to do?”
Participants chose from a variety of sessions designed to improve their well-being, such as yoga, crocheting, pilates, sound bathing, line dancing, making music with heart art, or journaling. Students can visit URecFit and Wellness and take indoor walks or relax in a text-free quiet area by coloring or making friendship bracelets.
The event was open to all students in the School of Graduate Studies, and most of the participants were physics assistant (PA) students, a field noted for its high burnout rate.
According to a report by the National Institutes of Health, more than a third of physician assistants report at least one symptom of burnout, with the highest prevalence among PAs in emergency medicine.
PA students were required to attend the event, which demonstrates the program’s commitment to the well-being of its students.
“A day in the life of a graduate student is hard work,” said Colleen Ohm, MMS, PA-C, program director for the PA program in the School of Graduate Studies. “It’s an incredibly rigorous program, and it’s important that they learn how to take good care of themselves and decide what health means to them. You can’t provide quality patient care without knowing how to take care of yourself.”
The day was so well received by all participants that the School of Graduate Studies plans to make the program Hallmark.
Habiba Abbasi, a sophomore from Baltimore PA, was pleasantly surprised by how much she enjoyed the day. She participated in sound baths, music making, and journaling. She plans to use the skills she learned to focus on self-care in the future.
“Today made me realize that it’s important to reflect and put all your problems aside and take time out from them,” she said. “It’s okay to focus on yourself and take care of yourself a little bit. You shouldn’t always focus on the negative but look to the future and see what you can do. Be more present.”
Watch a video from the Rooted In Rest event on YouTube.
Check out the photo album for the Rooted In Rest event in the UMB Photo Archive.
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