ADVOCATING FOR EACH OTHER & BUILDING COMMUNITY
Med-Peds Residents at a Derby-themed Internal Medicine Orientation .
Med-Peds holiday bowling party .
centers on time management and utilizing technology to find time for self-care despite the overwhelming demands of work .
Create a multifaceted support system and savor differences that make you unique
One of my ( no longer secret ) aims is to connect my residents and colleagues to multiple groups that speak to the many pieces that create their identities . For some , it ’ s finding the right church fit or pick-up soccer game , while others crave groups that speak their native language . Figuring out where to go for these experiences can be tough in a new place while working long hours . As a Kentuckiana native with a natural inclination to scour the city for new experiences , I often already have suggestions for my new interns . When nothing comes to mind , we ’ ve been able to comb through Meetup groups or inquire within local physician networks .
Stretch outside of your typical networks
One of the first pieces of advice I share with our incoming women residents is to join the Louisville Lady Docs Facebook Group . The group has created a supportive network for finding a new hair stylist or someone to clean your home and has professional benefits like getting a patient to a specialist sooner . It has even spun off into book club discussions and in-person gatherings like After Hours at the Speed Museum .
Build spaces for connection and show up for your colleague ’ s life events
Like most programs , we have the official events aimed at creating a support system : poolside chats aimed at allaying the fears of becoming an upper level , retreats and happy hours at the track . However , these scheduled calendar events don ’ t really convey the true community that is built . Being attuned to our colleagues ’ lives in and out of the hospital serves as an early warning system .
A message to a struggling friend or sending dinner to exhausted , new parents can have more impact than formal wellness events . It ’ s impossible to take credit for our residents who have , through some indefinable magic , gelled into a tight friend group that plays board games , dissects romantasy books and plans family dinner nights .
Celebrate and affirm daily wins
Often , building medical careers can feel like slogging through the jungle with a dull machete . We can help our friends make it through the jungle by finding small ways to offer verbal affirmations and creating team-building moments . I enjoy organizing a call day baked potato or sundae bar and planning dress up days for a hard-working hospital wards team .
Lead by example and don ’ t take yourself too seriously
I made a conscious decision to be open to trainees about my personal life which has led to serious discussions about life-work boundaries but also recommendations for shows , restaurants and vacations . I enjoy sharing how my calendar shifts between work-heavy seasons and more relaxing time . Discussing what I ’ m doing and being connected to residents online allows me to provide actual examples of how I can still find time for life in busy weeks ( even if it means heading from the hospital to a residency bowling event to a pinball tournament !). Starting residency off with a themed orientation with a photo booth and snack bar sets the stage for a program that cares about reducing anxiety and fostering connections from day one .
Share the community with others
Pre-pandemic , we were easily able to showcase the camaraderie within our program and the vibrancy of our city . When residency
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