October 25, 2017
Knowing that your peers have your back can have a tremendous impact in the lives of residents.
Whether it’s learning techniques to cope with stress or finding mentors who understand what you are going through, the Department of Anesthesiology’s Residency Support Council (RSC) provides support to help residents thrive.
A poster showcasing the RSC’s work earned them recognition at Anesthesiology 2017, the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), held in Boston October 21-25. Titled “Wellness Initiative: Resident Driven!” the poster won second prize in the Scientific and Educational Exhibits program. Authors include Drs. Lauren Licina, Zachary Turnbull, Grace Shih and June Chan—all current or former RSC members.
"I'm proud to be a part of this community and feel fortunate to have reaped the benefits of the hard work of my predecessors," said Dr. Shih, a CA-3 resident and the current RSC chair. "I wish all the folks who've been a part or provided support for the RSC could have been there to celebrate the moment the judges came by, since without their foresight and the foundation that they laid, the RSC wouldn't be where it is today."
Composed of second, third and fourth year Anesthesiology residents, the RSC promotes well-being by providing healthy snacks to the residents, running team-building activities including monthly department happy hours, biannual softball games, and small group Escape the Room outings, and even organizing sessions on financial and professional planning.
"Our goal with these initiatives is to help residents combat social isolation, provide mentorship and guidance during this transitory stage of life, be an outlet for residents to express their concerns, and be able to advocate for our peers," Dr. Shih commented.