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.

 

Runners, set your alarms for the 5K SHM Fun Run at 6 a.m. on April 10. The Harringtons said they will sign up and be at the start line after a quick visit to the resort’s in-house Starbucks.

“If you want to unwind after a day of meetings and workshops or rejuvenate after a workout, make an appointment (as soon as possible) at the resort’s full service spa,” Mrs. Harrington advised. Spa services include manicures/pedicures, facials, and even couple’s massages, she noted.

Other activities for individuals and families include ZE Segway Tours, the nearby town of Celebration, and the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe.

Spouses seeking some shopping during meeting time may enjoy nearby outlet malls, the Florida Mall, and the high-end shops of the Mall at Millenia, Mrs Harrington said. One of her favorite “hidden gems” for out-of-town shopping is Park Avenue in Winter Park, which has many boutiques and restaurants. Mount Dora, a small town once known as the Antiques Capital of Florida, includes a wide variety of specialty shops, she noted, and foodies should explore the East End Market, an Orlando neighborhood market and cultural food hub inspired by Central Florida’s local farmers and food artisans.

When it’s time for dining out in Orlando, Mrs. Harrington recommended the Big Fin Seafood Kitchen, a family-owned upscale casual restaurant serving lobster, snow crabs, fresh raw oysters, sushi rolls, steaks, and pasta with an option for outdoor dining on a covered balcony. Christini’s Ristorante Italiano, the most-awarded fine dining Italian restaurant in Orlando for more than 30 years, is consistently popular, and Vines Grille and Wine Bar, “a gem on Orlando’s Restaurant Row,” Mrs. Harrington said, is a great choice for happy hour and features jazz and blues in the evenings starting about 7 p.m.

Finally, “I would recommend meeting some SHM staff members either at registration or between meetings,” Mrs. Harrington advised. “They have been so welcoming to me over the years and have been a great resource and support system. Also, be open to meeting other spouses at group outings, dinners, or networking events whenever you have the opportunity, as they might become a treasured friend,” she said.

 

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.

 

Runners, set your alarms for the 5K SHM Fun Run at 6 a.m. on April 10. The Harringtons said they will sign up and be at the start line after a quick visit to the resort’s in-house Starbucks.

“If you want to unwind after a day of meetings and workshops or rejuvenate after a workout, make an appointment (as soon as possible) at the resort’s full service spa,” Mrs. Harrington advised. Spa services include manicures/pedicures, facials, and even couple’s massages, she noted.

Other activities for individuals and families include ZE Segway Tours, the nearby town of Celebration, and the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe.

Spouses seeking some shopping during meeting time may enjoy nearby outlet malls, the Florida Mall, and the high-end shops of the Mall at Millenia, Mrs Harrington said. One of her favorite “hidden gems” for out-of-town shopping is Park Avenue in Winter Park, which has many boutiques and restaurants. Mount Dora, a small town once known as the Antiques Capital of Florida, includes a wide variety of specialty shops, she noted, and foodies should explore the East End Market, an Orlando neighborhood market and cultural food hub inspired by Central Florida’s local farmers and food artisans.

When it’s time for dining out in Orlando, Mrs. Harrington recommended the Big Fin Seafood Kitchen, a family-owned upscale casual restaurant serving lobster, snow crabs, fresh raw oysters, sushi rolls, steaks, and pasta with an option for outdoor dining on a covered balcony. Christini’s Ristorante Italiano, the most-awarded fine dining Italian restaurant in Orlando for more than 30 years, is consistently popular, and Vines Grille and Wine Bar, “a gem on Orlando’s Restaurant Row,” Mrs. Harrington said, is a great choice for happy hour and features jazz and blues in the evenings starting about 7 p.m.

Finally, “I would recommend meeting some SHM staff members either at registration or between meetings,” Mrs. Harrington advised. “They have been so welcoming to me over the years and have been a great resource and support system. Also, be open to meeting other spouses at group outings, dinners, or networking events whenever you have the opportunity, as they might become a treasured friend,” she said.

 

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.

 

Runners, set your alarms for the 5K SHM Fun Run at 6 a.m. on April 10. The Harringtons said they will sign up and be at the start line after a quick visit to the resort’s in-house Starbucks.

“If you want to unwind after a day of meetings and workshops or rejuvenate after a workout, make an appointment (as soon as possible) at the resort’s full service spa,” Mrs. Harrington advised. Spa services include manicures/pedicures, facials, and even couple’s massages, she noted.

Other activities for individuals and families include ZE Segway Tours, the nearby town of Celebration, and the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe.

Spouses seeking some shopping during meeting time may enjoy nearby outlet malls, the Florida Mall, and the high-end shops of the Mall at Millenia, Mrs Harrington said. One of her favorite “hidden gems” for out-of-town shopping is Park Avenue in Winter Park, which has many boutiques and restaurants. Mount Dora, a small town once known as the Antiques Capital of Florida, includes a wide variety of specialty shops, she noted, and foodies should explore the East End Market, an Orlando neighborhood market and cultural food hub inspired by Central Florida’s local farmers and food artisans.

When it’s time for dining out in Orlando, Mrs. Harrington recommended the Big Fin Seafood Kitchen, a family-owned upscale casual restaurant serving lobster, snow crabs, fresh raw oysters, sushi rolls, steaks, and pasta with an option for outdoor dining on a covered balcony. Christini’s Ristorante Italiano, the most-awarded fine dining Italian restaurant in Orlando for more than 30 years, is consistently popular, and Vines Grille and Wine Bar, “a gem on Orlando’s Restaurant Row,” Mrs. Harrington said, is a great choice for happy hour and features jazz and blues in the evenings starting about 7 p.m.

Finally, “I would recommend meeting some SHM staff members either at registration or between meetings,” Mrs. Harrington advised. “They have been so welcoming to me over the years and have been a great resource and support system. Also, be open to meeting other spouses at group outings, dinners, or networking events whenever you have the opportunity, as they might become a treasured friend,” she said.