Wellness
We are committed to fostering an environment that promotes resident wellness while providing outstanding training.
Attention to well-being is critical to career satisfaction, and to helping our residents provide better care to their patients and work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams. We accomplish this goal by nurturing personal wellness through self-care, and by building stronger relationships inside and outside of the hospital.
Wellness days and days off
Residents have at least 6 days off per 4 weeks of work during both inpatient and outpatient activities, and at least 7 days off per 4 weeks of work during electives (an increase from the 4 days mandated by the ACGME). In addition, residents on electives and outpatient rotations are given at least one morning or afternoon per rotation free of clinical activities for further self-care such as medical or dental appointments, more opportunities to exercise, or pursue other extracurricular interests.
For more consolidated time to recharge, our residents have 4 weeks of vacation each academic year and an additional week of wellness time off around either the Christmas or New Year’s holiday. PGY-2 residents take 2-week blocks of vacation in each half of the academic year. PGY-3 and 4 residents can take 1-week or 2-week blocks of vacation with at least one week of vacation in each half of the academic year. We are committed to residents being able to attend important life events. In addition to the above wellness days, vacation blocks, and time off around Christmas or New Year’s, residents are able to request two additional weekends that are guaranteed to be off to attend important events with family and friends.
Team-based approach to patient care overnight and on weekends
Beyond the additional wellness days off to address the total hours of work performed by trainees, we are also committed to avoiding unreasonable work load during your time at the hospital. On our HUP consult service overnight, there are always 2 providers to distribute the consult volume and ensure there is adequate time to perform a thorough evaluation of each patient without overwhelming an individual provider. Similarly on weekends, we have at least 2 daytime providers on our HUP consult service, HUP neurovascular inpatient service, and Pennsylvania hospital service. Our HUP inpatient services have a weekend cap of 10 primary patients per provider.
Advanced Doctoring curriculum
Each resident class participates in a confidential Advanced Doctoring curriculum, staffed by external facilitators who guide residents in reflecting on the challenges of their new role as physician and neurologist. Our PGY-2 residents meet as a class twice per month, the PGY-3 residents monthly, and the PGY-4 residents monthly. This fosters a strong sense of connection within the residency class.
Relationships with colleagues outside the hospital
The University of Pennsylvania Neurology Department organizes multiple events for residents and faculty to interact in-person outside of work, including Phillies games, theater trips, barbecues, departmental intramural teams, an annual ski trip, and a faculty-versus-resident basketball game. We have also organized virtual events such as yoga, trivia, and watercolor painting.
Beyond these organized activities, residents participate in numerous self-organized activities, including enjoying happy hours or dinners at Philadelphia’s outstanding restaurants, brunches, concerts, and even axe throwing.
Residents often get together before or after work to go jogging or biking or go to a fitness class. Recent favorite events have been The Broad Street Run (a 10 mile run through the heart of the city) and fundraising bike rides.
Semi-annual retreat
To connect residents across classes, we have a Fall and Spring resident-organized retreat with yoga, games, apple picking, and discussions about improving their training environment.
Self-care
