In 2014, the general surgery residency program established the Professional Empowerment and Education of Residents (PEER) program. Our central goal is to support the physical and emotional well-being of our residents. We strongly believe that it is essential to create a supportive environment and foster camaraderie within our program to promote both personal and professional development. Through organizing and funding wellness initiatives, social outings, and creating mentorship families, we aim to build a strong sense of community and shared support network among residents that will leave us better equipped to perform at our best.
Please browse the resources below to get started on your wellness journey.
IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS, PLEASE CALL NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE 1-800-273-8255 OR TEXT THE CRISIS TEXT LINE TEXT “TALK” TO 741741.
Mission Statement
To facilitate peer mentorship, camaraderie, and well-being within the general surgery residency.
PEER Objectives
- Build camaraderie within the program and improve wellness outside of the hospital through various social events throughout the year that allow us to celebrate and unwind together. Events include: the summer BBQ to welcome the new interns, annual resident retreat, post-ABSITE celebration, program happy hours, and more.
- Work to improve resident wellness inside the hospital through multiple initiatives such as: wellness time on each general surgery service, snacks in the workroom to keep the residents fueled, and weekly dinners at sign out.
- Provide senior resident mentorship for each junior resident to cultivate competent, confident, and committed surgeons. Residents each belong to a PEER family that meets regularly at program-funded social events. This allows for an informal and comfortable environment in which residents draw on their own experiences to support their co-residents through the challenges of surgical residency.
PEER Leaders
Rebecca Meltzer, Charlotte Harrington, Jessica Cao
IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS, PLEASE CALL OR TEXT THE SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE AT 988.
- University Policy on Unlawful Discrimination and Harassment
- Spirituality: Check out the different religious groups on campus!
- Exercise Facilities
- Other Support and Resources
- Resident Health
Perspectives EAP (Employee Assistance Program) can provide assistance by phone, online, and through their SPARK app
- Online: perspectivesltd.com Username: UNI500 / Password: perspectives
- Phone: 800-456-6327
Spark App: Instant message a counselor or make a video conference appointment. Search for “Perspectives Spark” in the Google Play Store or App Store.
ANONYMOUS Peer support line: 1-800-660-5683
This is a great resource to use if you are having trouble adjusting to home life after a shift, struggling with the emotional turmoil of a shift, etc.
GME Office
Located in J-141, on-site staffed hours: 8:30am-3:30pm M-F (12:00pm-1:00pm closed for errands and staff lunch)
- Dean for Graduate Medical Education/DIO: Christine Babcock, MD, MSc
- Director of GME, CME, Simulation Finance: Amanda O’Rourke, MBA
- of GME Operations, Accreditation, and Innovation: Megham Twiss
Chaplain On Call
- 1-773-702-6246
Ombudspersons
- Shellie Williams, MD swillia2@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu
- Steven Zangan, MD szangan@radiology.bsd.uchicago.edu
Anonymous Compliance Reporting Line
- 1-877-440-5480