Resident Wellness

Resident Wellness


Residency can be a stressful time, filled with long hours and difficult decisions. Finding that fine balance between life and work is not an easy task. A recent survey by the ACGME found that a majority of residents classified themselves as healthy, but when further evaluated by individual lifestyle factors, namely sleep disturbances, low energy levels, and depression, residents were found to have scores well below the average of their non-resident peers. This discrepancy between residents' positive perceptions of their health versus the reality further impresses the significance of wellness during residency. Here at NJMS we strongly believe in fostering a culture of wellness among all our residents! Therefore, we have organized a resident wellness committee to make this a priority. Services ranging from social outings, running groups, sporting and music events, outdoor activities, and yoga sessions, to counseling and mental services, the Wellness Committee spans broadly to accommodate the interests and needs of our residents.



What We Offer:




 

Wellness Activities and Events:


Sporting:

  • Housestaff Fantasy Football League
  • Intramural Weekly Basketball Games with our Program Director!
  • Newark is home to the New Jersey Devils hockey team. Join us for a game during the season!
  • New York Red Bulls Soccer – Major League Soccer right down the road in Harrison, NJ

 

Social Events:

  • Happy Hours!
  • Trivia Nights
  • Apple and Pumpkin Picking
  • Skiing Trips
  • Top Golf
  • Bowling

 

Outdoor Activities:

  • Hiking: Mt. Tammany, Delaware River Water Gap, South Mountain Reservation, Catskill Mountains, Harriman Loop Trail
  • Local Parks: Verona Park, Liberty State Park, Watchung Reservation
  • Jersey Shore Beaches: Asbury Park, Wildwood, Spring Lake

 

Resident Houses:

As part of our wellness initiatives, we are excited to announce the creation of residency houses. Similar to “Hogwarts Houses,” housestaff will be placed in houses based on clinic groups. Residents will earn points throughout the course of the year for participation in both wellness and scholarly activities. The winning house will receive a prize at the end of each academic year.

 

concert

 

Concerts and Events


The New York City area as extensive opportunities for concerts and events.

 

Example of Events:

Cherry Blossoms

Spring:

  • Cherry Blossom Festival

  • St Patrick's Day parade

  • May Pole Festival

 

Summer:

  • Fourth of July Fire Works

  • Warped tour

 

October

Fall:

  • Greek festival

  • Food truck festival

  • Oktoberfest

  • CMJ Music Marathon

  • Great Pumpkin Festival

  • Renaissance Fair oct

 

Winter:

  • Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting

  • Times Square New Years Eve


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Community Service:


  • Habitat for Humanity

  • Red Cross Volunteering

  • University Hospital Community Outreach Committee

  • Red Cross Blood Drives

  • American Heart Association 5K

  • Medical Missions to Haiti

 

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Counseling:


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Residency is a stressful time with long hours. If you are starting to experience the signs and symptoms of physician burnout please reach out to your Chief Residents. If you feel more comfortable please contact the Rutgers University Behavioral Health Department who are available to aid and support you in a confidential manner.

Call Center: For more information please call: 973-972-5429 Resident Wellness and Excellence Center

Crisis line: 1-800-327-3678

Resident Wellness Center: https://ubhc.rutgers.edu/resident

Physician Burn Out: Remember you’re not alone.

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Common Symptoms:

  1. Emotional Exhaustion : agitation, fatigue, emotional liability

  2. “Depersonalization” : apathy, disconnected

  3. Reduced Accomplishment : failure to meet goals, feeling of “why bother”

 

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