New residents, fellows prepare to train at USA Health

Next week, 85 new medical residents and fellows will begin their orientation as physicians in training at USA Health. In a normal year, they would start by spending time together in a classroom and in social settings, where they could form lasting friendships to support them in the coming challenging years.

But the COVID-19 pandemic has changed everything. This year’s incoming residents and fellows are completing their hospital orientations online and have had to rely on Facebook for introductions – at least initially.

“One of the downsides is that there won’t be the excitement of that first day when you meet all of your colleagues,” said Carole Boudreaux, associate dean for graduate medical education.

Boudreaux said that individual programs, from internal medicine to surgery, will provide in-person training, but only for small groups because of social distancing guidelines. As physicians in training, new residents and fellows will be integrated into the health system under the current COVID-19 policies and procedures, which adds another degree of difficulty.

Boudreaux offers this advice: “As our healthcare system continues to move through the challenges of COVID-19, it’s important to prioritize professionalism and teamwork in one’s day-to-day interactions,” she said.

Regina McPherson, M.D., a fourth-year resident who will become one of three chief residents for internal medicine, said that today’s situation is very different from when she arrived.

“I usually like to host people at my house,” said McPherson. “It’s a very different thing because we are isolated from one another.”

McPherson, vice chair for the housestaff council, worked to create a Facebook group to help this year’s new residents and fellows become acclimated. The page offers information on everything from apartment complexes to day cares.

“When my husband and I first came to Mobile, we went out to dinner with all the med-peds residents. They chatted with us about the neighborhood we were moving into, and we got to know each other outside of the work setting,” she said. “I’m hoping that everybody has a chance to do these get-togethers as soon as it is safe.”

McPherson offered this advice to incoming residents and fellows: “I recommend that everyone in healthcare protect themselves first in order to continue to serve others,” she said. “We cannot be negligent in our diligence to protect ourselves in and outside of the hospital.”

Sagar Kumar, M.D., said that incoming internal medicine residents have connected through GooseChase, an online scavenger hunt that has served as an icebreaker.

Five teams, including one made up of attending physicians, have been competing for points by uploading videos and completing other tasks. Kumar, who just completed his first year of residency training, said he won 500 points for his team by posting a poem he had written during his third year of medical school.

“I personally believe it is challenging for whoever is coming in,” he said. “It’s an unprecedented situation,” he said.