Spooky Success

You’re in the middle of nowhere, and there’s a killer on the loose. People are dying! Can you make it out of Camp Nightmare alive?

That’s the scene of the virtual escape room Stanford Surgery Staffers were dropped into this past week as part of a new social initiative.

“This activity is part of Stephanie Edelman’s new plan to engage each group in the department by having them lead the staff meetings and coordinate an engagement activity for the months in FY25,” said Associate Chair of Finance and Administration Matt Bucher. “The responsibility will rotate among the groups throughout the year. Faculty and Fiscal Affairs were combined, and we were randomly assigned this first session in September.”

Participants were divided into five teams and steered through eight puzzles, each more challenging than the next.

“Credit for the Escape Room idea goes to Rose [Menorca]. She alerted me to the original idea (Hotel Escape), but after I gave it a dry run, I suggested switching to Camp Nightmare since it was more dynamic and, I think, engaging!” said Associate Director, Administration Libby Roberts.

Each scene in the game was completely interactive with moving pieces and spooky sound effects.

“I’ve never done an escape room in my life,” said Kim Mai, an Administrative Associate in the Division of Anatomy. “This was hard but it was so fun!”

The wining team completed all of the puzzles in 52 minutes and 38 seconds, barely four minutes ahead of second place and six minutes ahead of third. Team Leader Chris Tibbits, a financial analyst in the Division of General Surgery, attributed their speed to participation.

“We had great teamwork and everyone helped,” said Tibbits.

Bucher said he hoped the activity would prove that, “with enough effort and creativity, it's possible to create engaging remote activities.”

Participants responses were overwhelmingly positive, even from the teams that struggled.

“My group was just the best even if we were the last ones to finish,” said Administrative Associate Mercedes Northen.

Up Next: The Division of Clinical Anatomy will host a virtual costume contest on Halloween (October 31!). We look forward to seeing your 'fits!

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About Stanford Surgery

The Stanford University Department of Surgery is dedicated to inventing the future of surgical care through:

• pioneering cutting-edge research, 
• developing the next generation of leaders, and 
• healing through incomparable surgical skills and compassion. 

To learn more, please visit surgery.stanford.edu