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Recognizing that working long hours in a new and intensely challenging environment can also pose challenges to balancing work and home life, a number of programs are in place at Floating Hospital to help ease the transition from student to pediatrician.
Faculty Advisor
As internship begins, each new house officer is assigned a faculty member, often based upon future career interests. Throughout the years of training, residents meet with their advisors to receive constructive feedback on their progress and to discuss career planning.
Resident Meetings
The Residency Committee, comprised of representatives from the house staff and faculty, meets monthly to discuss educational needs of the residents. Here, residents discuss any changes that might benefit the program. These meetings have brought about significant change over the years in streamlining the program in a way that represents the opinions of the residents themselves.
The Resident Forum is an open meeting of the house staff with the Program Director to discuss ideas and solve problems affecting the house staff. All residents are welcome to these meetings.
At the House staff Meeting, the chief residents review current administrative issues. Again, the ideas and opinions of the residents are discussed at length.
Intern Support Group
Monthly support groups are held at noontime, exclusively attended by the PL-1s and one facilitator. These sessions are informal, allowing for both socializing and the candid and confidential discussion of issues that are of significance to the pediatric house staff.
Intern Retreat
In the autumn, all first-year residents attend a two-day overnight retreat. The Pl-2s and PL-3s cover all PL-1 positions for the 2 days, to allow the PL-1s a full appreciation of the intern retreat. This provides an opportunity to discuss the stresses of internship, as well as allowing for group recreational activities. Recent retreats have been to the ocean at Rockport, Project Adventure in Beverly, and Outward Bound at Thompson Island. This annual event is unanimously well-received.
Junior Retreat
During the spring of second year, junior residents attend a retreat during which they can obtain both practical and philosophical suggestions to assist them in their upcoming leadership positions.
Social Life
At Floating, the intense chemistry established between all classes of residents, fellows, and attendings is clearly extended to our social lives. Residents are encourage to enjoy the great city of Boston and the abundant opportunities for outside activities throughout New England. There are frequent outings among residents-- from spontaneous bowling get-togethers, to holiday parties, to Caribbean vacations! We meet each other at restaurants, practice yoga together, gather for flag football and softball games, and even attend each others' weddings.
Residents’ Nights Out
During two separate nights each year, all members of a given year are relieved of their evening duties on-call. This allows an entire class to gather on a social basis outside of the hospital. While the chiefs cover the on-call residents, we all celebrate and enjoy a relaxing time together.
Year-End Gala Event
In early June, faculty, residents, fellows, and nurses gather for an evening of dinner, dancing, and entertainment to celebrate the achievements of the year. Faculty awards are presented at this fully resident-planned event. This is always an excellent opportunity to socialize with close colleagues in a celebratory atmosphere!
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