We believe in the personal development and wellness of our residents and their families outside of the hospital while they navigate the busy schedule and stressors of residency. In addition to established layers of mentorship in our program, there are many opportunities for residents, faculty, and families to connect and grow together as a community. With its vibrant city life and abundant outdoor activities, Seattle is a beautiful place to live and has something for everyone.
Resident Wellness
Below are just a few of the examples of individual, group, and community-wide wellness efforts available through our program.
- Wellness Committee
A group of residents, executive residents, and faculty members work together to lead wellness initiatives tailored to the residency program each year. This includes championing resident appreciation activities, recharge events, evening activities, and group service opportunities.
- Resident support groups
At least once a month, interns and senior residents on their inpatient rotations have the chance to meet for group debriefing with an experienced facilitator.
The support group is a great opportunity to meet with co-residents, share the ups and downs of resident life and build specific skills in strength-based reflection.
- UW GME Wellness
Learn more about the free and confidential counseling services provided through the UW GME Wellness Team.
- Family support
Partners and families are welcomed at residency activities and quickly become part of the fabric of our community. We recognize that residency can be a stressful time for a resident and their family; free individual or couples counseling is offered through UW GME Wellness.
Community Building
Check out the following community building efforts of our program, many of which are intentionally organized outside of the hospital to take advantage of what Seattle has to offer!
- Pod communities
Residents are divided into one of five pods, each represented by a whale: Minke, Humpback, Beluga, Narwhal and Orca.
Each pod has a mix of R1s, R2s and R3s, as well as three clinical coaches, an executive resident and an Assistant Program Director who all work together to provide their residents support.
- Annual retreats
Each year, every class can participate in a class-wide retreat protected from clinical duties. These retreats are a fantastic way to have meaningful time to bond, reflect, and learn from your co-residents.
- Intern Retreat: We are one of the only programs in the country where interns get to spend 5 days away from clinical duties to connect with their co-residents in the fall of intern year. Interns get the opportunity to work on team-building skills and discuss their first few months as residents.
- Intern Transition Seminar: At the end of intern year, residents have a daylong retreat to learn about teaching and management skills before becoming seniors.
- R2 Retreat: R2 Retreat is focused on career development and reflecting on the challenges and growth of coming into the senior role.
- R3 Retreat: A celebration of making it to the last lap! R3 retreat is focused on preparing for personal and professional life after residency.
- Community grants
Residents can apply for a grant – funded by SCH Leadership – for just about anything that supports resident wellness.
Residents have used funds to buy snacks for book clubs, buy tickets to sporting events, organize a Fantasy Football party, host Pride events, and celebrate holidays like Lunar New Year!
- Faculty Supper Club
Faculty Supper Club involves a faculty member hosting a small group of residents to get to know each another and discuss any topic of the faculty member’s choosing.
Previous supper club topics include pursuing academia as an outpatient pediatrician and work-life balance as an attending and parent.
- Residency-wide events
Some of the most popular residency activities include the Spring Party talent show, end-of-the-year banquet and Treks with Execs – a new event where Executive Residents host outdoor activities (e.g. hiking, floating, etc) to get residents outside and explore the beauty of the PNW.
Pods also gather several times a year via “Pod Events” to get to know each other and spend time outside of clinical work.
