We aim to create a culture that promotes the total well-being of the residents and celebrates their physical, emotional, and psychological, and social vitality [through team and friendship-building activities and events, access to mental health resources and peer support and advocacy network throughout residency].

Stepping into a new residency can be overwhelming and frightening. To support our residents through this transition and help them reach their highest potential, MLKCH Internal Medicine Residency Program created the GME Wellbeing Committee. Our mission is to create a culture that promotes the total well-being of the residents and celebrates their physical, emotional, psychological, and social vitality. We believe that teaching residents to cope with stress, access mental health and physical health resource outlets, and prioritize rest and relaxation will help them be better advocates, caretakers and clinicians for our patients.

Current efforts of the GME Wellbeing Committee include team-building workshops, annual resident retreats, educational lecture series on wellness-related topics, sponsored dinners to explore South LA, expanded access to mental health resources and other activities and events throughout the year.

The GME Wellbeing Committee is especially excited to introduce the Mentorship Program where each resident will be matched with up to 3 mentors per year to provide a stable support system at MLKCH. Our mentors include physician role models to provide clinical support, a research coach to guide case reports and clinical research, and a non-clinician sponsor who can provide technical and professional knowledge about other interests including leadership, administration, health IT, public speaking, etc. Our goal is to introduce residents to successful clinical and non-clinical leaders in the organization who may impart wisdom and advice and encourage goal-setting, professional development and career planning.

Wellness Check-ins are provided to support all residents psychosocially. These check-ins are completed with the GME Wellness Chair Members Dr. Erin Dizon and the Employee Wellbeing Specialist, Becca Jozsa LCSW, MPH.

• Virtual Yoga and yoga classes on demand
• Monthly program: Coffee with the Reverend
• EAP: Life assistance Program
• 24/7 Access to the Relaxation Room
• Weekly 5 minute Mindfulness Meditations
• Mentorship Program (For GME Residents only)
• UCLA STAND for All Program: Provides mental health education and one-on-one coaching
• Schwartz rounds: every other month
• Tools to Thrive Monthly Newsletter (sent out every 2nd Thursday of the month)
• MD Wellbeing Newsletter (sent to all the MDS the first of every month)
• Musical Mondays, Tea for the Soul, Sound Bath program, Lunch and Learns, partnerships with outside organizations for wellness, etc. is scheduled throughout the year as well.