In these challenging times, little diversions and activities can help break the monotony and lift the mood. Whether it’s a hot meal, a holiday celebration or the increasingly popular Ugly Sweater Contest, Wilmer clinic managers and staff are finding a variety of ways to buoy spirits:

• Activities in Pediatric Ophthalmology have long included themed pot luck lunches, holiday and birthday celebrations, and contests for best and worst RICE KRISPIE holiday creations. Administrative coordinator Linda Mitchem also makes a delicious homemade Thanksgiving meal every year.
• This year, Neuro-ophthalmology and Oculoplastics joined forces to participate in Ugly Holiday Sweater Day and Secret Santa gifting for those who wished to participate. They also celebrate Purple Fridays during football season and Opening Day for the Orioles. “Hopefully by the time the weather gets warm, we will be able to enjoy more activities,” says Diane Almony, manager of The Krieger Children’s Eye Center at Wilmer and the divisions of Neuro-ophthalmology and Oculoplastics.
• Staff members at Bayview Medical Center’s ophthalmology clinic also held an Ugly Sweater Day during the holidays, and clinic manager Amandeep Singh brings donuts or bagels on particularly busy days. Singh, who holds a dual position as manager in the psychiatry outpatient clinic, says that psychiatrist Neda Gould also volunteered to help the staff attend her virtual mindfulness groups, which are known to help with stress management.
• For the staff in Registration, Purple Friday is big. “We bought purple masks for the staff to wear during the Ravens playoff run,” says manager Debbie Edmond Guy, who also brought in holiday masks for all Registration staff members this year. Every week, she brings donuts and other treats, and she regularly decorates the lobby for the benefit of both patients and staff.
• In addition to celebrating Ugly Sweater Day and Purple Fridays, the Cornea Division presents an "eye appreciation award" to one staff member every three months to show appreciation for outstanding work and dedication. Clinic manager Tremaine Davis says the doctors sometimes bring lunch or donuts for the staff to show appreciation as well.

What do you do to help boost morale and mood in your office? Tell us! Email [email protected].