Graduate school can be incredibly demanding, and within a program as rigorous as the Pathologists’ Assistant curriculum, it can be easy to lose sight of how important it is to pause and connect with one another. One of the aspects I have found most valuable about being involved with the Interdisciplinary and Career-Oriented branch of the Graduate Student Association (ICO-GSA) is the opportunity to help create space for those moments, moments where students can step outside of the classroom and simply enjoy being part of a shared community.

As part of my role as president of the ICO-GSA, I was excited to help plan an event specifically for the Pathologists’ Assistant program. From the start, the Mütter Museum felt like the perfect venue. Its deep ties to medical history and pathology made it a meaningful and fitting place for our cohorts to gather, celebrate and reconnect.

After four months of planning, Midwinter at the Mütter took place on January 24, 2026, at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. The event was held after hours, giving students the rare opportunity to explore the museum exhibits in a quieter, more intimate setting. All students from both cohorts attended, making the evening especially meaningful by creating space for mentorship, conversation and connection across class years.

The evening was designed as a refined, mingling-style reception that allowed guests to move seamlessly throughout the museum space and exhibits at their own pace. Attendees enjoyed tray-passed hors d’oeuvres, a dinner station, and a coffee and dessert station, complemented by a limited beer and wine bar available throughout the evening. The cocktail-attire dress code was intentionally selected to create an elevated atmosphere and gave students the opportunity to celebrate together in a more formal setting, further enhancing the sense that the evening was something special.