Wellness

The Residency Wellness Committee: a small but mighty group, keeping our eyes and ears out to try to help support and celebrate each other throughout residency. We aim to monitor current resident wellness needs, provide a variety of wellness-related activities, incorporate wellness thinking and education throughout the program, and promote joy and pride in our work as pediatricians and community leaders. Wellness Meetings take place the 3rd Friday of the month (most months!) directly following Support Group. Keep an eye out for Zoom links sent via Outlook! We welcome all participants, always.

1. Wellness While At Work

• Did you know? The Physician's Work Room H1.728 (right next to the cafeteria) has coffee and frozen meals that are free for residents working on night shifts. Pic of the mini fridge! --> 
  • IF IT'S LOCKED! The code is 0123
• Lounge out of hot chocolate? Please add to this wish list of goodies!
• No stapler, again? Tell us what you need to do your work more successfully. 
• Exhausted after a shift? Take an Uber or Lyft, keep the receipt to give to Monick, and we will reimburse you. 
• Work hour concerns are reviewed monthly at our meetings. If you have related concerns please talk to residency admin or leadership, or if more comfortable: please tell us anonymously here
• We are pursuing call room renovations! Track progress with us at our meetings
• We are following and helping Dr. Steffi Gauguet in her quest for a UMass Healing Garden and her efforts to study its effects
• We coordinate events throughout the year. Past examples:
  • Medical Licensing Support with Monick
  • Cookie Decorating at Support Group
  • Debriefing/Palliative Care series

2. Wellness Outside of Work

• Have an appointment to get to? We want you to get there, no matter what block you are on. Email the chiefs if you need any help coordinating coverage.
• Exercise boosts our health. Check out these online workout videos from UMass; password: CFWfit1
• Check out former resident Dr. Katie Yanagisawa's slides about financial wellness that she shared again at retreat (spring 2025)
• Peruse these UMass Employee Discounts for fitness, museums, zoos, retail vendors, activities, accommodations, restaurants, cell phone vendors and more!
• We help coordinate events throughout the year. Past examples:
  
  • Women in Medicine series
  • Movie Theater rental
  • Kayaking on the lake

3. Know someone in need of extra support?

• PICU team have a difficult outcome? ER team extra busy? Let us know if we should direct some extra wellness to a person or persons in need. E-mail the chiefs, Residency Leadership, or Monick - they will help coordinate with our committee
• Of note, the GME office has a free, confidential House Officer Counseling Service for any resident or fellow in need
• Additionally, the UMass Employee Assistance Program provides confidential, free, personal assistance. Immediate phone support is available when you need it.

4. Other Wellness Initiatives

• UMass has a hospital wide series of "Wellness Grand Rounds" - check out past presentations here
• CXO Wellness Resources to know about
• The UMass Center for Mindfulness has numerous resources including free classes
• Check out the GME Wellness Page

Have an idea or suggestion? Email the chiefs, Monick or Residency Leadership.