Fort Worth Medical Students Quick to Engage with Two-Toed Sloth

FORT WORTH — Medical students took a break from their rigorous studies for a visit with Jaws, a two-toed sloth. 

The THRIVE Medical Student Well-Being team at the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at Texas Christian University surprised the medical students who were enamored by the animal encounter.

“The students have really gone wild over this. It created such a buzz,” Craig Keaton, Assistant Director of THRIVE Medical Student Well-Being, said of the animal encounter. “The  intention of the visit was to give the medical students a break, give them a moment to step out of the classroom or the clinic and have a little pause in their day.”

THRIVE is the longitudinal, integrated and collaborative system of instruction, learning and support for the School of Medicine students focusing on their well-being. The desired outcome of this program is the continuance and/or development of knowledge, skills, and attitudes about wellness.

“I love that we have dedicated time to meet with Student Affairs team and other students,” said McKenna Chalman, a fourth-year medical student. “They always have fun stuff to give us a break and hang out with together, catch up with everybody and do something unique.”