At VUMC, you will find a busy and robust clinical training balanced with a dedication to education and focus on personal well-being. We pride ourselves on providing a well-rounded training experience in which you feel challenged all the while being supported by a world-renowned faculty dedicated to residency education. We believe in maintaining a healthy balance between our professional and personal lives. Faculty members, staff, and residents share the common goal of creating a family-oriented workplace that allows for both professional and personal development in and away from the hospital.
Wellness
Our residency program has a robust wellness program that utilizes resources both in and out of the hospital to promote resident camaraderie, health, mindfulness, and overall wellness.
A resident-run, leadership-supported Wellness Committee is responsible for scheduling monthly out-of-hospital activities that are appropriately spaced and diverse. Examples of activities include:
"Wellness Wednesdays" - Residents from our wellness committee plan different activities to support resident wellness in place of regularly scheduled morning conference.
Monthly birthday celebrations
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Access - Program leadership supports residents in accessing EAP services within and around their busy schedules in a way that works for them.
Wellness days scheduled at the beginning of the year
After-work activities - Previous activities have included hikes, happy hours, etc.
Regular monthly get-togethers around the beginning of each new block to celebrate and support each other as the year goes on
Assistance with access to medical care - We help residents identify and connect with primary care providers that are willing to work in residents on short notice as needed.
Click here to learn more about faculty and staff health and wellness at VUMC.
Resident Engagement
Our residency events include:
Department Holiday Party - Mix, Mingle, & Jingle, hosted by the Cumberland Pediatric Foundation, is held at a restaurant downtown in December and includes a bowling competition!
Monthly Book Club - with residents, fellow, and faculty, at a private home
Intern Retreat - First-year residents focus on team building and recognizing the value of different personality types. The agenda and specific activities vary from year to year. Intern Day Out is organized and run by the Chief Residents.
Career Day - Second-year residents focus on career advancement and planning. Residents are broken up into small groups to solicit advice from experts in the following fields: Careers in Primary Care and Hospital Medicine, Selecting a Fellowship Program, Applying for Fellowship, Clinician-Educator, Physician Scientist, Work-Life Balance and Financial Planning. The morning session is then followed by an afternoon social activity of the class' choosing.
Third Year Day Out - Third-year residents are given the opportunity for a day off at the end of the year for a social event, at a local venue that they select. Past events have included canoe trips and pool parties.
Hat Day - A year-end roast of each of the interns/residents, by the housestaff. No attendings allowed!
Resident Day Out - The specific activities vary from year to year. Faculty and fellows assume all clinical duties for 24 hours at the end of the year to allow all the residents in our program the day off to enjoy together.
Manuary - in January, held during a noon conference slot, this is a social event / fundraiser that raises money for a resident chosen charity by auctioning off beards of various faculty, residents, and fellows.
Halloween Costume Contest: In October, the Department of Pediatrics hosts an annual Halloween Costume Contest where residents are challenged to come up with the most creative and fun costumes. Residents present their group costume during conference and are then judged by the Department Chair. who picks the winner.