Fun in the Florida sun
Chris Harrington knows that not all the benefits of attending the Society of Hospital Medicine’s annual meetings come from the lectures and courses; there is the formation of friendships that endure.
“I am very grateful to SHM for allowing me the opportunity to accompany Bob to their annual conferences and leadership academies over the years,” said Mrs. Harrington, spouse of former SHM president Robert Harrington Jr., MD, SFHM in an interview.
“It truly has been a rewarding experience for me both as a spouse to travel with my husband and spend time with our friends, and as a health care professional to witness the tremendous growth of SHM membership and the educational and networking opportunities it provides to its members. Watching SHM become even more innovative in universally improving patient care has been an amazing experience as well.
“It is through many SHM conferences that Bob and I have met some wonderful people and have formed many lasting friendships that we will be forever grateful for,” she said.
Mrs. Harrington has some suggestions for activities in Orlando, starting with the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks, which are convenient to the meeting headquarters at the Orlando World Center Marriott. Other popular spots for those with kids (or the young at heart) include SeaWorld Orlando, Legoland Florida, and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, notably the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and the Jurassic Park River Adventure attractions.
Within the Orlando World Center Marriott, families can check out the pool complex with its waterslides and slide tower, as well as the kids’ activity center, interactive game room, and table tennis. The resort also offers full-day (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or half-day (10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.) Kid’s World programs and evening Kid’s Night Out programs (6-10 p.m.) for children aged 4-12, so parents get some time to themselves.
For the fitness enthusiasts, “bring your golf clubs, tennis rackets, and running shoes,” Mrs. Harrington said. The resort offers eight tennis courts, volleyball courts, swimming pools for laps, and Hawk’s Landing, a championship golf course that includes a Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf, should the urge for instruction strike.
