A Commitment to Wellness
Our program prioritizes resident well-being and has adopted multiple creative strategies to promote the occupational, emotional, spiritual, social and physical health of our residents throughout residency. Rush as an institution supports the wellness of all employees with free access to The Center for Clinical Wellness (CCW). Click here to read and hear about CCW which is located on campus. We encourage all interns to visit the CCW during their first 6 months of residency, and we provide protected time for any therapy appointments.
- In our noon conference curriculum, we balance education and board review with wellness sessions that include pet therapy, writing reflection activities, and group discussions with a psychologist.
- Meal funds provided by GME (distributed in paychecks quarterly) for residents to purchase meals in the hospital. Lunch is also provided for pediatric residents by the department at noon conference 3 days a week. During conference time, chief residents answer calls and pages for all inpatient units to allow residents time to relax, eat lunch and engage in conference without disruption.
- In addition to the general hospital House Staff Lounge, we have a Pediatric Resident Wellness Lounge which offers residents snacks, comfy couches, and TV as a haven during a long day or while on call.
- The hospital has an on-site gym that is easily accessible to residents; membership can be selected as an optional benefit paid for by GME.
- Rush GME provides reimbursements for rides home when residents are fatigued post-call.
- Class retreats are also dedicated towards Wellness. Examples of past retreat activities include overnight retreats in New Buffalo, Michigan, cooking dinner with a chef, escape room activities and group fitness classes.
- The Rush Wellness Assistance Program is a resource available to all Rush employees that includes free and confidential counseling services for residents and their families and can connect employees with pre-screened childcare services and financial planning services.
Clinical Flexibility Rotation and Personal Days
During this rotation, residents focus on improving their personal well-being and assisting the well-being of their colleagues. In addition to providing some deed-based coverage for different parts of the hospital and clinic, residents are encouraged to schedule appointments with their personal healthcare providers and assist in covering for colleagues who need to attend important healthcare provider visits. Clinical Flexibility rotators are given the time to create and execute their own board studying plan. Residents are encouraged to check in with their advisors and mentors, but also make time for friends, family, exercise and rest.
Residents are allotted personal days throughout the year to allow for scheduling of medical and dental appointments, therapy and other personal needs.
