spouses groups at medical schools

Hey guys. I know a lot of schools have formal organizations for the spouses/significant others of medical school students. I was wondering if any of you are familar with these types of groups. If so, has it been positive for you and what types of things does it involve. Thanks so much!

[samssugarmomma]

Ours did happy hours, game nights, holiday parties, and semi-monthly meetings. The members with kiddos did playdates during the week.

Unfortunately, during our MS3 year, interest waned and the group kind of dissolved. Our group didn't get any support from the school and we weren't allowed to adverstise our activites on campus and that made it hard......

welcome to Imsn! Even if your school doesn't have a support group, you will find a ton here!!

We had a Support Network in Medical School that was really fun and helpful with the process. We had "Spouse's NIght Out" and Family events for people with kids. Potlucks and Picnics. We actually have a national organization called the AAOA (Advocates of the American Osteopathic Association) which is affiliated with the my husband's membership in the AOA for his profession. They have national meetings annually. We got alot of support, though, from the local group at the medical school. I highly recommend joining if you can. It helps to be around people going through the same things. Good Luck!

[Stella]

We have one but we haven't attended anything yet. I think there's a dinner on Friday and my SO and I are both really excited for it! I'll let you know how it goes...

[ides]

My dh and I started one at his med school, but it wasn't that exciting. We had dinners four times a year at a deans house where we invited anyone in a commited relationship and networked. It was nice to meet and comiserate with other spouses but it wasn't that much of a support group as others appear to be.

We just started residency and there doesn't appear to be any sort of group here for the spouses of the terminal busy. Thank goodness for this site!

[Vanquisher]

I was in charge of ours. As dh was one of like three married people in his class, and the other two were married to eachother, and we were the only ones with kids, it was a fun group!

However, we did get money to throw parties in the name of the Students with Families org.

[Tenacious_D]

Not much to speak of on this end. DH's class is quite young most are either right out of college or 1-2 years out. We were one of three married couples in his class but 4 others got married this summer. When we came for second visit they had a spouse group but I never heard another thing about it once we got to campus We just end up hanging out with our other married/committed friends who are in the city. That's why it's great to have you all!!

[Vishenka69]

I didn't even know such groups exist until someone mentioned them here. But I also didn't really need one since we didn't move far for med school or residency.

We have a great one here. We probably have like 80+ members in town and even more out on their rotations across the country. We do great stuff, socials, monthly meetings, quarterly datenights, childrens socials, and service projects. Its great as there isn't much to do here and it gives us an opportunity to meet people we wouldn't have otherwise met.

we didn't have one during med school, but did during residency. check through all of the stuff the school / program mails to your house. I would never have known about ours if I hadn't been sitting next to dh when he received a pink postcard and got all pissy b/c "they should know I'm male!" I looked at it and said "It's for me you nut!" And the rest is history. I made several dear friends there, and it was so nice to have real people with similar issues.

[Stella]

We went to the meeting/dinner last Friday night and it was okay, but not stellar. People seemed more interested in talking about med school and classes than anything remotely related to the spouses. So, I don't know. I'll let you know if it improves.