At the University of Kansas Medical Center, we strive to create a healthy educational culture that is welcoming and supportive. We recognize that the rigors of surgical training can take a toll mentally, emotionally, physically and relationally. We believe that an intentional commitment to the support of faculty and residents in all dimensions of personal and professional wellbeing is necessary for a healthy culture in which everyone can thrive.

Faculty representing each surgical division serve on the Department of Surgery Wellness Committee, which is chaired by Acute Care Surgeon Dr. Jennifer Hartwell. This committee is part of the larger wellness community at the University of Kansas Medical Center and The University of Kansas Health System. A senior surgical resident serves as the liaison to the Department of Surgery Wellness Committee, thereby bringing news of new initiatives to the resident physicians and providing a voice for resident wellbeing to the highest levels of leadership.

The development and involvement in wellness related initiatives and activities have grown over the years, and we are proud to share a host of the ways we invest in the wellbeing of our residents.

1. “Ear to the Ground” Program Director
2. Communication Feedback Pathway
   1. Residents are empowered to provide signed or anonymous feedback about anything in the program that is not running smoothly. This is accomplished through bi-monthly check-in meetings with the Program Director and through an anonymous feedback website
3. Structured Faculty Mentorship Program
   1. Residents are paired with a faculty mentor intern year
   2. There is a routine cadence of check-in meetings throughout the year
   3. Mentors guide residents through research projects and career development
4. Faculty Engagement
   1. Intramural sports teams
   2. “Knife & Fork Club”: informal, optional event for faculty and residents to enjoy a meal and discuss non-didactic topics such as:
      • How can I be most successful in residency?
      • How do I choose a fellowship?
      • How do I look for my first job?
      • What happens if I am named in a lawsuit?
      • How do I balance my family and my job?
      • Should I start a family during residency?
5. Formal Goal Setting
   1. Each resident has an annual individualized learning plan that they work through with their faculty mentor
6. Resident Council
   1. Surgery residents have consistently served in leadership roles on the ACGME wide Resident Council
   2. Program Evaluation Committee, Resident Education Committee
7. Pager-Free Conferences – Protected Time
   1. During didactic hours, residents are not expected to respond to pagers
   2. Residents are excused from all clinical duties to attend scheduled lectures
   3. Resident directed appreciation among residents in the form of weekly “Shout Outs” for positive actions
8. Resident Safety
   1. KU Public Safety will escort any resident at any hour of the day for any reason to their vehicle in the event they wish to have an added level of security to their daily work
   2. Ride share/taxi service available in the event a resident feels unsafe or unwell and needs a ride home
9. Physical Health
   1. Food and snacks provided in resident work rooms and at weekly resident didactic conference
   2. Surgery-specific ergonomics training is available; signs are posted throughout our hospitals to remind us of ergonomics best practices
   3. Parental Leave Policy: Guaranteed time for pre-natal care, guaranteed parental leave for both parents with birth and adoption
   4. Lactation support: lactation rooms available throughout health system; lactating mothers supported with time for pumping
   5. Care for Colleagues Program: residents, fellows or faculty in need of establishing a primary care doctor are offered a separate scheduling channel from non-employee patients; this ensures timely establishment of care
   6. Residents are excused from clinical duties to attend personal health care (including mental health) appointments
10. Mental Health
    1. Free counseling and psychiatric services are available through GME
    2. Residents are excused from clinical duties to attend personal mental health care appointments
    3. HOPE Peer Support Program: Opt-out model; after a potentially stressful event, a referral will be made on behalf of the resident with the offer of free peer support
11. Culture of Wellness
    1. Resident camaraderie is supported by annual department-sponsored events:
       • Intern welcome party (July)
       • Winter/fall social event
       • Department holiday party (December)
       • Post ABSITE event (January)
       • “Halfway” dinner for PGY 3 residents (February)
       • Chief Resident graduation (June)
    2. Resident vacation schedules are flexible, and requests are reviewed. The schedule is not mandated
    3. The ACGME 80-hour work week is strictly followed and closely monitored by the program and GME
12. Financial Health – Program-Provided Resources
    1. True Learn Question bank provided
    2. Annual education funds
    3. Surgical loupes provided
    4. Funds for board exam preparation
    5. Funds available to help offset cost of General Surgery Qualifying Exam