The stress of fellowship takes its toll on even the best fellows. Resident and Fellow burnout is associated with medical errors and poor patient care. We at Marshall University (MU) cardiology, realize the importance of fellow’s wellness in both performance and career satisfaction. We have a dedicated program to provide resources and organizing activities to help fellows to stay physically and mentally fit.

Objectives:

• Promote a healthy work-life balance
• Provide physical, psychological and professional wellness education
• Maintain a peer support and advocacy network for fellows.

Burnout Prevention

Nutrition:

• Free breakfast is provided at conferences every Thursday
• Generous meal cards are provided which can be used at various cafeterias in our hospitals
• Physician and fellow’s lounge provide free coffee, soft drinks and snacks 24/7

Fitness:

We take physical wellness seriously at Marshall University.

• Free well-equipped gym is accessible to our fellows next to Heart center at St. Mary’s hospital
• Free membership to Marshall University Rec-center. A 123,000 sq. ft, state of the art recreational center, houses a swimming pool, a 1/7-mile running track, a group exercise room, basketball, volleyball, racquetball, badminton and pickle ball courts and a climbing wall. The facility also is equipped with a wide range of exercise equipment including treadmills, step machines and weight machines. 

Financial Health:

• A stipend as specified in Salary and Benefits.
• 2^nd and 3^rd year cardiology fellows can moonlight as long as ACGME duty hours are not violated
• The cost of living in West Virginia is 10 % below national average.

Night-Float:

• MU Cardiology has incorporated a dedicated monthly night-float system. The night-float fellow works four nights a week, leaving several days free for scholarly activities, and quality time with friends and family.
• 3 nights a week are covered by remaining 13 fellows.
• Night float system has enabled our fellows to focus on inpatient and outpatient responsibilities and has decreased stress and enhanced satisfaction.

Vacations:

• Fifteen work days allowed per year and 5 days of conference leave.
• Time is not counted for meeting in which the fellow is presenting.
• Fellows are provided holidays to observe religious festivities e.g., Christmas, Eid, Holi etc. 

Identifying Burnout:

• We have dedicated noon conferences to discuss burnout and to re-iterate resources for preventing and treating burn out. The program director meets with each resident semi-annually.
• Program director has an open-door policy to discuss any concerns that may arise.
• Growing mentorship program, matching fellows from each year with an attending, in the column model of mentorship 

We have a variety of both formal and informal fellowship activities to enjoy life outside of the hospitals.

Social Media:

• Social media is everywhere, and we love to use it! We have MU Cardiology HERD WhatsApp group where fellows post interesting cases/links and can get real time answers to any and every question.
• And yes, we are on Twitter, @MarshallCardio1 – Follow us.

Other benefits include

• Hospital scrubs
• Embroidered white coats
• 1000 dollar yearly educational allowance
• ACLS, BLS training
• Protected research time
• Fellow liaisons to assist with administrative tasks (e.g. scheduling follow-up appointments, obtaining medical records from other hospitals etc.)