Wellness
Physician wellness is far more than yoga sessions and pizza parties. While those activities can foster connection, true wellbeing is built on creating an environment where residents feel supported, valued, and empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. It encompasses psychological safety, meaningful work, professional development, access to mental health resources, community, and a culture that recognizes that caring for physicians is essential to providing exceptional patient care.
At West Virginia University, our Graduate Medical Education (GME) office is committed to a comprehensive approach to resident well-being that extends beyond individual resilience. The GME Office promotes wellness through initiatives that address the many dimensions of physician health, including confidential mental health resources such as the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP), resident assistance services, social and community-building events, financial and professional development education, and institutional efforts to reduce barriers to learning and patient care. Residents also have opportunities to engage with wellness champions such as our Chief Wellness Officer Dr. Cara Sedney, to participate in peer support initiatives, and to provide feedback that helps shape ongoing improvements to the learning environment.
Within the WVU Adult Neurology Residency Program, we strive to complement these institutional resources by fostering a culture of collegiality, mentorship, and open communication. We believe that wellness is not a single event, but an integral part of residency training that is woven into our daily interactions, educational experiences such as job search and billing/coding lectures, and program culture. Our goal is to cultivate an environment where residents are challenged to grow as neurologists while feeling supported as individuals, enabling them to develop into compassionate, resilient, and fulfilled physicians.
Over the past two years, the department has made significant strides in advancing resident wellbeing through the development of intentional, sustainable wellness initiatives. The appointment of an Associate Program Director (APD) dedicated to resident wellness marked an important milestone, underscoring the program's commitment to fostering a culture that prioritizes both personal and professional wellbeing. Additionally, the establishment of a Resident Council, comprised of two representatives from each postgraduate year (PGY), has created a formal mechanism for residents to provide feedback, advocate for their peers, identify areas for improvement, and collaborate with leadership to develop meaningful solutions.
To further strengthen resident support, the program also established a Resident Wellness Committee, with one representative from each PGY class. This committee provides a psychologically safe environment in which resident concerns can be discussed proactively, allowing challenges to be identified and addressed before they escalate into issues that may negatively affect resident wellbeing or performance. Complementing these initiatives, the APD meets individually with every resident at least annually for an agenda-less meeting, providing an additional confidential opportunity to discuss personal or professional concerns, identify needed resources, and ensure ongoing support throughout residency.
While our commitment to resident wellbeing is reflected in our formal initiatives, we also recognize the importance of building community outside the clinical environment. Throughout the year, residents and faculty come together for a variety of social events, from our monthly Neurology Running Club to our annual picnic at Coopers Rock to networking and educational opportunities at the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting.
Synapse Magazine
Reflection and creativity are powerful components of physician wellbeing. Synapse, our neurohumanities magazine, provides a space to explore the stories, perspectives, and artistic expressions that remind us why we chose this profession."
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