Wellness

Once every four weeks, each resident has a “wellness” half day during his/her clinic block. 

The wellness noon conference sessions are led by Linda Golding, from the pastoral care office and Paula Askalsky, MD, from the Psychiatry department to discuss broad topics such as resilience, meditation, and mindfulness techniques. 

Each resident will be part of a team composed of a PGY1, PGY2, 3, and 4 resident all paired with a faculty member. Faculty members will serve as resources to discuss challenges in both work and life and will meet with the residents several times per year. 

The residents meet every other month with a hospital chaplain or psychiatrist from outside the neurology department to discuss issues related to residency. 

Each class has a retreat one day a year during which time they are excused from their work duties for the day. They will have coverage from the other residents and will be able to spend the day doing a fun activity. This allows for a day of team-building and decompression away from the hospital.  

Every month, we celebrate our resident birthdays at a noon conference with cake and handmade cards by our own residents.

This year, every resident is scheduled for two therapy sessions with a licensed psychiatrist in the fall and spring respectively. All sessions are ‘opt out’ meaning residents are protected and expected to go unless they choose not to and cancel the appointment. The therapists we work with are nested under COPE GME which is a program meant to ensure the mental health of our residents. 

Our main space in the Neurologic Institute has seven call rooms, each with a bed. Sheets are laundered weekly. The chief office is located in the same space.

As noted in the example schedule, clinic weeks are every 4 weeks and always include non-clinical half days for education, administration, and wellness.

Our social committee plans weekly happy hours around the city for residents. Two of our favorite spots are The Baylander and Dr. Bell’s rooftop!