The Residency Wellness Committee is composed of several resident representatives from each class, and is supported by numerous faculty and staff members. Every six weeks, we organize an hour long protected time dedicated to wellness enhancing activities, facilitating connections with community contacts, whenever possible. Sessions are attended by available residents, medical students and faculty. Examples of sessions to date include:
- A conversation about coping with unexpected outcomes with requested faculty panel
- A session with Brown University’s Mindfulness Center
- A DIY green household products session, led by one of our nurse educators
- Healthy cooking and meal prep tips for busy residents with nutrition staff
- Holiday and gratitude card making
- Live piano music played by one of our residents
- Medical improv with Providence Improv Guild
- Visit from local therapy dogs
- Tips from senior residents on increasing efficiency
- ‘Tea for the Soul’ and ‘Code Lavender’ with hospital chaplains
- Uterus art painting
- Yoga with faculty instructor
- ACOG Wellness Week
Quarterly, we organize out-of-hospital, seasonal activities such as beach days, apple picking and ice skating, and welcome partners, and families (and pets whenever possible) to join. Additionally, we have trained together for events including a half marathon and a mile long beach swim for “Swim Across America”. In preparation for our new interns and fellows each year, we solicit donations from local vendors in order to create gift bags containing items that will guide and encourage our new trainees to try all that Providence has to offer (farmers markers, gyms, restaurants, and spas).
We recognize that due to the demanding work hours during residency, essential self-care and various errands/to-do’s take the back seat to work-related responsibilities. We aim to provide each resident with opportunities throughout the year to maintain personal wellness during the week with coverage provided. Residents receive up to 3 four-hour time slots to be utilized throughout the year during eligible rotations.
Our residents are provided with protected time to participate in retreats twice a year in the fall and spring. The retreats give the opportunity for residents to reflect on experiences, well-being, and team building skills. Objectives of past retreats related to core values, group reflections on processing bad outcomes, and wellness initiatives. Team building activities included roller skating, apple picking, glass blowing, plant potting, charades, and high tea by the ocean.
For further resources, please visit Brown's Wellness Site.
