The University of Chicago medical education team promotes learner, educator and staff wellbeing. Effective wellness initiatives affect employee recruitment, retention, satisfaction, efficiency and effectiveness. Wellbeing among health care providers impacts good patient care. Support for our residents and fellows is encouraged at every level including institutional, departmental and peer networks. At an institutional level we promote wellbeing with a number of centralized and shared resources. New initiatives are being created in partnership with residents and fellows to address their needs. Faculty and staff are available to support all learners including the program director. program coordinator, program chair, GME DIO, GME staff, UC chaplain, UC Ombudsman/Ombudsperson, Perspectives representatives, and members of the PAC team.


Perspectives: Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

No-cost, confidential resource designed to help people with the challenges of daily living, such as stress, conflict, relationships, financial issues, child/elder care needs, legal assistance, etc. Available to residents, fellows, and their family members.

Assessment, referral, short-term counseling (when indicated) and follow-up are available through in-person appointments, text-based, telephone, or virtual counseling.

Licensed professional counselors are available 24 /7 at 800-456-6327 (call or text).

Self-directed information and resources are also available on Perspectives mobile friendly website. Username:UCH001/Password: perspectives.

Perspectives App: Google Play | Apple App Store Access code for residents and fellows: UCH001


Resident Health Initiative

Resident Health Initiative
This program originated with conversations that took place during Resident Forum and is designed to facilitate residents and fellows accessing primary care.

Available: Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

STANDARD APPT REQUESTS – Email rhealth@uchicagomedicine.org indicate “appointment request” in the subject line

  • Your email communication should include: patient name (e.g. your name), DOB, call back name & number, reason for
    visit and name of insurance.
  • You can expect a follow up call within 4 business hours.

URGENT APPT REQUESTS – text page the Resident Health Advocate at 9800

  • Your text page should include a call back name & number.
  • During regular business hours, you can expect a follow up call within 30 minutes.

If you schedule an appointment through the Call Center that does not meet your needs, please ask the Call Center Agent to forward your appointment request to rhealth@uchicagomedicine.org. You can expect a follow up call within 4 business hours.


Ombudsperson

Every member of the University community makes a commitment to strive for personal and academic integrity, to treat others with dignity and respect, and to honor the rights and property of others. From time to time, issues may arise that are not in keeping with our commitment to this goal. When this happens, it is important that you, as residents and students, know what resources are available to you.

University of Chicago faculty members are appointed as Ombudspersons to serve as advocates and facilitators for students and residents at the University of Chicago. Ombudspersons are chosen because they are neutral, third party physicians who are not otherwise involved with the academic promotion or evaluation of Pritzker students or University of Chicago residents. All interactions with the Ombudspersons are confidential. Ombudspersons play an important role by providing a mechanism for medical students and residents to raise and resolve issues without fear of intimidation or retaliation.

The Ombudspersons are available to serve as a confidential and private sounding board for students and residents regarding their experiences at the University of Chicago. They will also investigate and resolve complaints of mistreatment or other issues and abuses. These incidents may occur in the classroom, hospital setting or at school-sponsored events, and may involve students, residents, staff, or faculty. The Ombudspersons will work with each medical student or resident to explore options, suggest resources and call attention to the appropriate faculty members and administrators. A full listing of contact information is available in the GME handbook.

Shellie Williams, MD
Department of Medicine
swillia2@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu

Steven Zangan, MD
Department of Radiology
szangan@radiology.bsd.uchicago.edu


The Physician’s Assistance Committee (PAC)

The PAC has the responsibility to receive, verify and evaluate reports related to the health, well-being and impairment of physicians. The PAC is composed of physicians and representatives from the dean’s office, Graduate Medical Education, Medical Center administration, as well as counselors from the Employee Assistance Program. After evaluation, the committee will work closely with the physician to facilitate treatment, aftercare, licensing issues and return to work plans. In all cases, confidentiality is protected to the greatest extent feasible, and everyone works together to facilitate a complete recovery for the physician. Contact Iris Romero, Co-Chair, at iromero@bsd.uchicago.edu, or Perspectives at 800-456-6327 for assistance.


Recognizing Fatigue

Absorb contains a module designed to train residents and fellows to recognize the impacts of sleep deprivation, how to mitigate fatigue, and what steps to take if they determine they are unable to care for patients safely due to fatigue. This module is available at all times via self-enrollment. UCM and NorthShore University HealthSystem provide residents/fellows with a safe alternative to driving home for reasons associated with clinical duties. Any resident/fellow who feels it would be unsafe for him/her to drive, may be reimbursed for post-call transportation home. Reimbursement is coordinated through each department at UCM.


Resident Forum

The Resident Forum is a forum for the hospital administration and residents/fellows to come together to discuss and resolve issues of patient care and the physical environment relating to the ease with which residents/fellows are able to carry out their patient care responsibilities.

The meetings are open to all residents/fellows and are coordinated by the GME office.