OB-GYN residents mark wellness week

OB-GYN resident physicians at USA Health marked ACOG National Wellness Week, Feb. 6-10, with activities ranging from cooking and rock climbing to yoga.

“Wellness week activities gave us a chance to get away from our busy roles at the hospital and spend time with one another,” said Paige Pettus, M.D., a resident who serves as a wellness co-chair.

ACOG National Wellness Week is a partnership of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG) to bring awareness to and celebrate the critical importance of physician wellness.

“We all know how difficult residency and life as a physician can be, and we want to help instill habits that contribute to self-wellness in our residents,” said Tracy Roth, M.D., director of the OB-GYN residency program at USA Health and the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine. “We always tell them that we are expected to work hard and be dedicated to our profession, but we must take care of ourselves – body, mind and spirit – in order to be the best physician, spouse, parent and friend we can be.”

On Monday, a group of OB-GYN residents met at the Integrative Health and Wellness teaching kitchen at University Commons, where they prepared farro with shrimp, corn and vegetables. On Tuesday, residents enjoyed rock climbing at the Student Recreation Center on the campus of the University of South Alabama.

“The activities planned hopefully gave our residents the opportunity to find activities they enjoy doing to relax outside of work,” Pettus said.

Also, during the week, the residents volunteered with Mobile Baykeeper to help with cleanup near Mobile Bay, participated in a yoga class at Sterling Hot Yoga, and enjoyed smoothies. The wellness week culminated in a daylong retreat for the residents.

See photos from the wellness activities.