ADVOCATING FOR EACH OTHER & BUILDING COMMUNITY
Our Med-Peds Instagram has been an incredible way to convey our community virtually .
Residency recruitment folders .
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recruitment turned virtual , we needed to change tactics and figure out how to demonstrate the intangible online . Pictures are a valuable commodity in this brave new world . Everyone knows I will be documenting events and will request pics from hangouts to share . Consistently sharing Instagram stories showcases a true day in the life at our program - pics of residents walking their dogs together , grabbing lunch from a food truck or savoring a sleepy post-night team brunch are more impactful than the carefully posed group pic from retreat .
In welcoming so many people to Louisville , it ’ s been a goal of mine that we share the unique sense of neighborhood communities within our city . Recently , we ’ ve had many residents live in Germantown and it has created an ability to more easily look out for each other ’ s pets , catch a quick dinner or meet up for a walk . Crafting some high-quality recruitment materials to introduce applicants to our city allows them to see how we would help them acclimate to a new place . I share a Google Map with layers for finding breweries , outdoor spots , cultural gems , restaurants and a PDF with pre-planned tours in Nulu , Germantown , Whiskey Row . Even if they aren ’ t able to visit , the details help paint a picture of a city that would be a vibrant and fun background to the sometimes-dreary years of residency .
Place people first
We all thrive in safe spaces where people actually listen and care about what we say ; bonus points if the people making decisions actually incorporate your ideas into plans . Our residency has weekly med-peds specific conferences and residents aren ’ t shy about sharing their thoughts . Having regular moments built into the schedule hopefully prevents allowing problems to fester and then erupt violently . This collaborative feedback cycle creates a mutual respect that builds a foundation for connections .
I ’ ve learned that community isn ’ t just about being in the same place at the same time - it ’ s about being there for each other , celebrating each other ’ s wins and lifting each other up when we stumble . As we navigate the twists and turns of our medical careers , it ’ s the relationships we forge and the support we offer that make the often-difficult journey bearable and offer a buffer to the very real possibility of burnout . So , whether it ’ s finding your people , creating spaces for connection or welcoming interns , building community is a labor of love — one that enriches our lives and strengthens the bonds that tie us together .
Dr . Bishop is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Medicine & Pediatrics and the Med-Peds Residency Associate Program Director at the University of Louisville .
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