Wellness & Resilience

Resident life gets busy and who has time to cook? We provide daily lunch, 24-hour call money on FreedomPay cards, as well as healthy snacks and bottomless (less healthy) candy bowl.

Residents have access to an 24h onsite gym within Comer Children’s hospital. This gym features state of the art fitness equipment, free weights, changing rooms and showers.

The residency runs a financial literacy and wellness program geared towards resident’s needs. Topics include, optimizing your HR benefits, loan forgiveness, retirement accounts. Seminars are run throughout the year, and one-on-one clinics can be set up for specialized needs.

As pediatricians we experience loss in our day-to-day which can be overwhelming.  Comer chiefs hold regular debriefing sessions and operate an open-door policy to allow for as-needed support, dialogue, and hugs. No problem is too little or too big - we will try our best.

Help and support is always readily available.

4+2 schedule with no more than 4-weeks inpatient in a row; our program arranges for a special “Holiday Schedule” so that each resident can have seven days around Christmas or New Year’s Day to spend with those who matter most.

We host monthly out-of-the-hospital social events lead by PD and APDs. Events range from a stroll through a farmers’ market to get-togethers hosted at faculty homes or trips to the zoo.

The Chair of Pediatrics also sponsors activities for residents and faculty to experience all that Chicago has to offer, including outings to WNBA Sky games or dinners at local Hyde Park restaurants.

Resident Holiday Party - Program-sponsored Holiday Party when all residents are released from service for an evening so they can enjoy each other’s company outside Comer's walls.

Intern Retreat - Program-sponsored off-site overnight event geared towards general decompression, relationship building, and relaxation.

Move-Up Days Off - Class-led events following move-up day retreats - activities have varied from lakefront boat rides to friendly whirlyball clashes.

Resident Hosted Events - The REC Social & Wellbeing Chairs plans residency-wide social events throughout the year including casual get-togethers, cultural and sport events, and family-friendly activities.  Each class receives a wellness stipend to go towards activities or materials that improve resident community and engagement.

Residents are divided into three (3) Comer Crews that earn points through a variety of clinical, professional, and personal good deeds. The competition is heated, but there can only be one winner…

WHICH CREW WILL YOU JOIN??

The Peds Medical Education Office staff host bi-monthly events for resident and fellow trainees (most involve treats), which allow everyone to take a brief respite from the floors, see colleagues, and grab some snacks.

Perspectives Ltd. - confidential 24/7 service available which provides support, counseling, referrals, and resources for employees and their faculty members.  The following services are provided:

• Telephone/in-person counseling (office on campus with locations throughout Chicagoland and northwestern Indiana)

• Childcare/Eldercare (information and referrals for providers and related needs) 

• Legal/Financial (consultation, identify theft, and emergency legal assistance)

• Convenience (pet sitters, home cleaning, relocation, fitness and nutrition)

• Web-based resources (mobile friendly self- directed assessments, links, articles)

• Online Skillbuilders (tutorials covering over 60 topic areas to enhance both personal and professional growth)

Key features of the service include:

• Employee, Retiree or family members eligible to use the program

• No cost for any services Perspectives provides

• Confidentiality protected by Federal and State laws

• Information, resources and services for the challenges of daily living

For information on how to contact Perspectives Ltd., please visit the Staff and Faculty Assistance Program page on the UChicago Intranet. Note: Intranet access requires CNET ID and password.

Our GME offers up to six (6) weeks of paid medical leave which includes leave related to mental health diagnoses (formalized written documentation applies).