Resident Wellness

Residents seen from behind, arm in arm on a gravel spit looking out over Puget Sound

Statement

Resident Wellness is built into our curriculum to give our residents the tools they need to be energized by their work and to continue to love what they do.

We value physician well-being and have a robust wellness culture that is integrated into all aspects of our resident training. We continuously incorporate resident input in ways to alleviate stressors and enhance wellness with education, tools, and dedicated time for rest and wellness activities.

How we support wellness

Wellness, built into residency.

The activities and traditions that make Valley a place to grow, rest, and look after one another.

Many of our wellness activities are protected time.

Fall retreat and Curriculum Day
Every fall the whole residency steps away together for a retreat and a Curriculum Day.
R1 support
First-year residents meet monthly for R1 support, led by one of our community preceptors who is also a former Valley resident.
Holiday clinic party
Residents join the whole clinic to celebrate the holidays.
Wellness committee
A dedicated wellness committee runs activities twice a month: communal games, Lego building, arts and crafts, and more. It also plans festivities through the year, from Halloween parties and a best-dressed pet costume contest to an '80s theme day and Dress Up as Your Favorite Attending.
Wellness Fridays
On the inpatient services, OB and FMIS, senior residents run Wellness Fridays for their teams.
Balint and Pall Care Rounds
A dedicated space for the team, with or without faculty, to discuss the challenges of patient care.
Professional development series
An educational series for PGY-3s on the common challenges and skills of entering the workplace: negotiating contracts, understanding RVUs and billing, financial management, and more.
Graduation party
Residents send off each graduating class with skits about the graduates and the faculty.

Class of 2027 fall retreat
Food as Medicine at fall retreat
Graduation celebration
Professional development day
Game night with the class of 2027
Halloween with the class of 2027
Healing garden at Valley Medical Center
Tie-dye day with the wellness committee

Wellness committee festivities

Halloween parties, a best-dressed pet costume contest, an ’80s theme day, and Dress Up as Your Favorite Attending.

Halloween party
Best-dressed pet costume contest
'80s theme day party
Dress Up as Your Favorite Attending
Lunch outside at Valley Medical Center

Mentorship, support and benefits

Every resident is assigned an official faculty mentor each year.
Residents and faculty work in clinic teams, where PGY-2s, PGY-3s and faculty provide built-in mentorship throughout residency.
Counseling services covered through health insurance, plus an Employee Assistance Program.
Paid membership to the onsite fitness center, family-friendly call rooms and resident lounge, and designated lactation space.

Resident life