Pediatric Residency Program Resident Life
Even though residency is a full-time job, the residents still seem to find time to spend together, both at work and outside of work. Many of the individual classes will get together for dinner or a night of fun a couple of times during the year. Frequently, the ward team will get together to unwind after a month on the ward.
Bi-Annual Resident Retreats
Twice a year, usually in April and September, the residents are excused from their clinical duties for an entire day to participate in the resident retreats. This is a great chance for residents to bond, kick back and enjoy each other's company. The first half of the day consists of educational activities, such as leadership and team-building exercises, discussions about resident/program concerns and ways to solve them, lectures with a pediatric twist from outside departments, etc. The second half of the day is nothing but fun. In the past, they have gone bowling, played laser tag at Main Events Entertainment in Austin and have just “hung out” at nearby Lake Belton.
Birthday Parties and Baby Showers
Since we do have a small residency program, we are able to get together to celebrate birthdays as well as the addition of “extended family members.”
Resident Christmas Party
Right before the residents leave for Christmas vacation, they and their families get together for an evening of food, fun and gifts. Weeks before the party, residents draw names to find out who will be their special person. The “Secret Santa” then picks gifts, usually a toy or book, that describes the individual they are buying for. These gifts are exchanged at the Christmas party and donated to the Child Life Department at the McLane Children's Hospital Scott & White or other local charities.
Resident Meetings
Resident representatives, usually two from each class, meet on a monthly basis with their chief residents to discuss the function of the program and residents. They also use this time to find solutions to problems or active issues and ways to make the program more successful. It also keeps the residents involved and happy.