University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
Checking In with Sabrine Garrison
4/1/2020 9:16:00 AM | Women's Golf
Former Gopher women's golfer Sabrine Garrison was a standout on the course for the Maroon and Gold from 2014-18, and excelled in the classroom as well. Since earning her degree, Garrison returned to her native Canada and is enrolled in medical school. GopherSports.com caught up with Garrison to talk about her experience dealing with COVID-19 and the world of medicine.
Tell us what you have been up to since graduating from the U.
Since graduating at the U I moved back to Canada to pursue a career in medicine. Just a few months after graduation I began medical school at the University of Alberta. This May I will be finishing my second year. Since starting medical school I have gotten involved in several advocacy related initiatives. I taught and co-led MD AIDE, a program aimed at increasing diversity of medical students through affordable MCAT and interview preparation. I also co-host a women's health podcast. I'm interested in family medicine and currently sit on the Alberta College of Family Physicians (ACFP) board. Though the opportunities for me to continue to pursue golf are more limited now, I still try to compete in a few events during the summer months. Moving away from my competitive golf career has been melancholic, but I have found new ways to enjoy golf and plan on continuing to be involved in the development of junior golf in my province.
When was the first time you became aware of COVID-19?
I first heard about COVID-19 back in December when I returned home to Calgary for the holiday's. At that time we were hearing about this novel virus in Wuhan, China that had emerged but had only 60 confirmed cases. I think like most people I assumed the virus would be under control in a matter of weeks, and deeply underestimated the impact this virus would have on China and the rest of the world in the coming weeks and months.
How is it affecting your daily life as a medical student?
I am fortunate that my program has adapted to social distancing practices quickly. Just over 3 weeks ago when some of the first cases began to emerge in Alberta, our medical school moved us to an online format. As a pre-clerk (Year 1 and 2) most of our learning is done in the classroom. For this reason it has been a fairly smooth transition to working from home, with lectures being posted online, small group session being done via Zoom, and even anatomy labs being vodcasted securely. At this time we are unable to see patients, and this impacts mostly our clerks (Year 3 and 4), as these are critical months of training for them. Canadian medical schools are collaborating and discussion options so that all medical students in Canada will have enough training before residency and will not be disadvantaged going into residency. Depending on how long we will be at home, training and residency matching deadlines could be extended. This means that there is a chance I will not begin 3rd year in August as planned.
What are some of the precautions you are taking to stay safe?
Staying home and maintaining social distancing is the best thing I can do right now to keep myself and others safe. I have a family member that is immunocompromised and so I understand the fear and urgency to keep those of us who are more vulnerable safe.
What is the best advice you have heard about dealing with the coronavirus?
I think the best advice in dealing with difficult times like these is to see this as a unique opportunity for us to reconnect and reflect on the things that mean the most to us. We are a busy generation with fast paced lives. It can be hard to stay at home and slow down. It can also be challenging mentally to manage the stress and grief that the virus has caused, as we worry about the safety of our loved ones. Many of use are also mourning the loss of vacations, weddings and other big events. Taking the time to reconnect with some simple pleasures like reading a book, chatting with a friend on the phone, cooking or whatever that might be for you I think is the best way to cope. This is also a time to reflect on just how much we take for granted. My hope is that coming out of this we will have all had time to reflect on the fragility of our lives and just how quickly things can change. I think this event will leave a strong mark on us as a society. I find patience and acceptance in the idea that we will grow together from this experience and that there is the opportunity for great unity and understanding in what we could call the "post corona age". I see this already with communities that have come together to cheer on their health care workers from their balconies, and with countries that are supporting each other as we all work towards a common goal.
How have you been coping with social distancing/stay-at-home regulations, if they exist where you're at?
Here in Alberta we have implemented social distancing for a few weeks. Regulations have gotten tighter by the day with most people now expected to be homebound. As a student I am fortunate to be able to continue my studies during these difficult times. Having academic obligations has allowed me to stay on track and create my own routine at home. I have a lot of social support both virtually and in my own home, which I am very grateful for.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I'm thinking of my Minnesota family in these times and hoping that everyone continues to stay safe. I hope to be able to make a visit back when things clear up!
Tell us what you have been up to since graduating from the U.
Since graduating at the U I moved back to Canada to pursue a career in medicine. Just a few months after graduation I began medical school at the University of Alberta. This May I will be finishing my second year. Since starting medical school I have gotten involved in several advocacy related initiatives. I taught and co-led MD AIDE, a program aimed at increasing diversity of medical students through affordable MCAT and interview preparation. I also co-host a women's health podcast. I'm interested in family medicine and currently sit on the Alberta College of Family Physicians (ACFP) board. Though the opportunities for me to continue to pursue golf are more limited now, I still try to compete in a few events during the summer months. Moving away from my competitive golf career has been melancholic, but I have found new ways to enjoy golf and plan on continuing to be involved in the development of junior golf in my province.
When was the first time you became aware of COVID-19?
I first heard about COVID-19 back in December when I returned home to Calgary for the holiday's. At that time we were hearing about this novel virus in Wuhan, China that had emerged but had only 60 confirmed cases. I think like most people I assumed the virus would be under control in a matter of weeks, and deeply underestimated the impact this virus would have on China and the rest of the world in the coming weeks and months.
How is it affecting your daily life as a medical student?
I am fortunate that my program has adapted to social distancing practices quickly. Just over 3 weeks ago when some of the first cases began to emerge in Alberta, our medical school moved us to an online format. As a pre-clerk (Year 1 and 2) most of our learning is done in the classroom. For this reason it has been a fairly smooth transition to working from home, with lectures being posted online, small group session being done via Zoom, and even anatomy labs being vodcasted securely. At this time we are unable to see patients, and this impacts mostly our clerks (Year 3 and 4), as these are critical months of training for them. Canadian medical schools are collaborating and discussion options so that all medical students in Canada will have enough training before residency and will not be disadvantaged going into residency. Depending on how long we will be at home, training and residency matching deadlines could be extended. This means that there is a chance I will not begin 3rd year in August as planned.
What are some of the precautions you are taking to stay safe?
Staying home and maintaining social distancing is the best thing I can do right now to keep myself and others safe. I have a family member that is immunocompromised and so I understand the fear and urgency to keep those of us who are more vulnerable safe.
What is the best advice you have heard about dealing with the coronavirus?
I think the best advice in dealing with difficult times like these is to see this as a unique opportunity for us to reconnect and reflect on the things that mean the most to us. We are a busy generation with fast paced lives. It can be hard to stay at home and slow down. It can also be challenging mentally to manage the stress and grief that the virus has caused, as we worry about the safety of our loved ones. Many of use are also mourning the loss of vacations, weddings and other big events. Taking the time to reconnect with some simple pleasures like reading a book, chatting with a friend on the phone, cooking or whatever that might be for you I think is the best way to cope. This is also a time to reflect on just how much we take for granted. My hope is that coming out of this we will have all had time to reflect on the fragility of our lives and just how quickly things can change. I think this event will leave a strong mark on us as a society. I find patience and acceptance in the idea that we will grow together from this experience and that there is the opportunity for great unity and understanding in what we could call the "post corona age". I see this already with communities that have come together to cheer on their health care workers from their balconies, and with countries that are supporting each other as we all work towards a common goal.
How have you been coping with social distancing/stay-at-home regulations, if they exist where you're at?
Here in Alberta we have implemented social distancing for a few weeks. Regulations have gotten tighter by the day with most people now expected to be homebound. As a student I am fortunate to be able to continue my studies during these difficult times. Having academic obligations has allowed me to stay on track and create my own routine at home. I have a lot of social support both virtually and in my own home, which I am very grateful for.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I'm thinking of my Minnesota family in these times and hoping that everyone continues to stay safe. I hope to be able to make a visit back when things clear up!
Reese McCauley Hole in One
Tuesday, September 16
Alum Emma Carpenter Makes BTN Debut
Monday, September 08
Isabella & Reese McCauley - Gopher Women's Golf - Minnesota Made
Friday, May 09
Teeing Off - ANNIKA Intercollegiate
Monday, September 09