Count on the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Occupational Medicine to resist expectation and to search out the new. The typical trappings of a holiday party typically do not feature murals of flying saucers above sun-loungers and specialty mixed drinks named for famous fictional plants. But last week’s gathering at one of Iowa City’s newest bars, The Green House, offered faculty, staff, fellows, residents, family and friends the chance to branch out.

The evening had no formal schedule or planned remarks, just an opportunity to catch up, break bread, and share the warmth of each other’s company.

What members of this division have always known is that a good holiday party does not require wreaths and bows or eggnog and fruit cake. They just need their community to come together, and the rest falls right into place.