Resident Support and Life

At Tufts Medical Center, we recognize that residency is a challenging time, even under the best of circumstances, and that during these intense years of training, many residents require assistance adjusting to their new roles and maintaining a good work life balance. We strive to maintain an open and supportive environment, holding regular town hall meetings to provide a forum for residents, chief residents, and the Program Director to discuss ideas and solve problems affecting the house staff. 

In the past two years, we have transitioned our mentorship program to a unique collaborative model that allows for quarterly meetings of groups of residents with similar career interests and faculty already practicing in the fields. Residents are grouped according to their individual curriculum tracks, and recent meetings have included discussions regarding fellowship applications, research, contract negotiation and work life balance. In addition to our formal collaborative mentorship programs, all residents are mentored through their scholarly project by a faculty member. The program leadership also helps to facilitate residents forming individual, informal mentoring relationships with attendings. These relationships are strengthened by the fact that residents work closely with faculty in the clinical setting, as well as by the strong commitment to resident education shared by the entire Tufts Medical Center faculty.

Intern Retreats
In the fall, all first-year residents are free of clinical responsibilities to attend a 2 day retreat. This provides an opportunity to discuss the challenges of internship and also allows for group recreational activities.  Recent retreats have been held in scenic, coastal Massachusetts.

There is also a spring intern (“rising junior”) retreat to reflect on the prior year, discuss goals for the upcoming year, and develop skills necessary for advancement to the PGY-2 role.

Junior Retreats
During the spring of second year, junior residents attend a “rising senior” retreat during which they both debrief regarding challenges of the past year and discuss strategies that will assist them in their upcoming leadership positions.

At Tufts Medical Center, the strong bonds established between all classes of residents, fellows and attendings extends to our social lives. Residents are encouraged to enjoy the great city of Boston and the abundant opportunities for fun throughout New England.

Residents enjoy frequent outings together -- from spontaneous dinners, to holiday parties, to trips to the Cape! We meet each other at restaurants, practice yoga and spin together, and even attend each others' weddings.

In June, faculty, residents, fellows, and nurses gather for an evening of dinner, dancing, and entertainment to celebrate the achievements of the year. The graduating class is recognized, and faculty and resident 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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