The Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) is excited to announce the first-ever Thank a Resident Day, which will be held on Friday, February 23rd. Thank a Resident Day is a new initiative to honor those in residency for their dedication to their institution and the medical field.
Residency is a key component of graduate medical training, offering in-depth exposure to a field of medical practice, which can often lead to long working hours matched with a number of responsibilities. Residents serve as the “house staff” of the hospital and are an integral part to the healthcare delivery team. Residents also serve as indispensable resources for medical students, especially during a clinical clerkship. With the launch of Thank a Resident Day, the Gold Humanism Honor Society seeks to highlight the importance of the resident staff and to encourage an outpouring of appreciation and gratitude directed their way.
As residency is a crucial period in medical training, it is also a peak period for the development of physician burnout. Thank a Resident Day seeks to bolster resident well-being not only through specific projects and events, but ultimately by encouraging medical students to increase their connection with the resident staff. This is an opportunity to acknowledge the time that residents spend each day to provide compassionate patient care and to appreciate and value residents’ hard work and dedication.
There are many ways to participate in Thank a Resident Day that can be unique to your institution. We encourage students to be creative in expressing their appreciation for the resident staff. Here are a few ideas:
- Team up with a local vendor and see if they would be willing to offer you their space or services for free. Of special note are health and well-being vendors offering yoga, pilates, mindfulness activities, etc.
- Have a breakfast gathering, ice cream social, or even a dinner where food is available for residents to grab and go or sit and socialize for a few minutes. Check with local vendors to see if they are willing to donate. (Krispy Kreme has been known to sponsor similar events.)
- Organize a game night, book exchange, or other social event to encourage residents to connect and unwind. Consider museum visits and other cultural activities.
- Organize a forum for resident expression. This could be a journaling event, a resident quote board, or even a poetry reading.
- Consider holding an event outside in a natural green space for stress-reduction and well-being benefits.
Whatever your Thank a Resident Day project may be, take some time this February 23rd to thank your resident staff.
Once your GHHS chapter or medical institution decides on a project, please let us know! Sign up today and request free Thank a Resident Day stickers, too.
