Resident Wellness
Here at Rush, we understand that the transition from medical student to doctor is demanding and can bring about feelings of stress or anxiety. This is why we empower our residents so they don’t just survive but actually thrive during their training. Our efforts are grounded in the belief that better self-care translates to better patient care.
One initiative within our department is the annual Intern Wellness Retreat. This was implemented back in 2006 and has been highly anticipated year after year. We have seen that this day-long retreat has improved the internship experience by providing an opportunity for self-reflection and community building. The day’s activities serve to address four important domains – attention to body, strengthening of relationships, creating meaning, as well as laughter and creativity. We offer a safe place to discuss the stresses of residency and focus on self-care needs. At the end of the retreat, many interns feel more thoughtful about their relationships with their patients and other healthcare professionals.
In addition to the initiative described above, we support wellness in the following ways:
- Noon Conference programming on burnout
- Switch week get-togethers (meet-up outside of the hospital at the end of a rotation)
- Annual PGY-2 retreat including scavenger hunt around the city of Chicago
- Annual PGY-3 retreat including WhirlyBall
- Fall and spring resident parties
- Intern Appreciation Day
- House Staff Career Series on topics like financial planning and career building
- HSA Wellness Committee
Employee Assistance Program
Beginning June 1, 2022, Rush has a new employee assistance program (EAP) partner, ComPsych GuidanceResources. ComPsych counselors and social workers will provide support 24/7 to help you take care of you.
- Identify child care or elder care providers
- Address financial and legal issues
- Cope with stressors like relationship issues, work-life balance, and others
- Support alcohol or substance use challenges
Intern Advisor Program
Each incoming intern will be paired with a physician within the Department of Internal Medicine. The goal of your intern advisor is to help you navigate the transition from medical school to residency. Each faculty advisor is paired with two to four interns. You will meet with your faculty advisor roughly 3-4 times, during your intern year. This advisor, while not intended to serve as a research mentor or career advisor, will be there to support you during one of your busiest years in your medical training.
Center for Clinical Wellness
The Center for Clinical Wellness is the first-of-its-kind; each finish, color, and texture was selected with a scientifically proven rationale to improve the well-being of visitors, while creating an optimal healing environment. Made possible by a significant philanthropic gift, the Center’s launch represents a new chapter in well-being for Rush University System for Health.
The Center for Clinical Wellness (CCW) seeks to address three primary goals:
- Creation of a culture of wellness, including programs to address burnout, support resilience, and increase joy in work.
- Increased support for mental health, including access to care, reduction in stigma, and strategic partnerships to prevent suicide.
- Production of leading research through an emphasis on data and analytics.
Services
The following services are currently available to house staff at no cost:
- Coaching: Work with one of our team members to identify and meet your goals.
- Counseling: Our psychotherapists are trained mental health professionals and are here to support you.
- Energy Pod: Access the Energy Pod to rest and reenergize your wellness.
When initiating counseling or coaching, you will first set up an intake appointment with one our psychotherapists. This visit will be utilized to learn more about you and your needs and will allow the psychotherapist to provide individualized recommendations for next steps on your wellness journey.
Additional Resources
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
Mindfulness is the ability to pay attention to what is happening in your life in a nonreactive way. The mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program at Rush involves a series of sessions over a two-month period of time. For more information, please visit the website.
Rush Fitness Center
The Rush Fitness Center is open to all residents (resident rate is $27 per month) and features cardio equipment, circuit and free weights, a variety of group exercise classes and personal training.
Financial Assistance
We have financial advisors available to help you navigate the loan repayment process. They also assist with budgeting and financial planning. This service is free of charge. Contact information is listed below.
Office of Student Financial Aid
Armour Academic Center
600 South Paulina St., Suite 440
Chicago, IL 60612
Contact: (312) 942-6256 or financial_aid@rush.edu