Resident Wellness & Support

 At Marshall, we are deeply committed to enhancing resident well-being through a culture of compassion, inclusion, and meaningful engagement. Our wellness programming is designed to foster personal growth, professional resilience, and a strong sense of community—inside and outside the hospital.

Orientation & Welcome Events

We kick off every academic year with events that allow new interns and their families to connect with leadership, faculty, and fellow residents in relaxed, supportive settings:

• Intern Pool Party.
• “Picnic with the Pops” – outdoor symphony under the stars.
• Intern Welcome Family Picnic.

These gatherings help lay the foundation for the strong bonds that define our residency culture.

Resident Wellness Retreats

We host an annual wellness retreat which has included a WV National Park and nearby State Parks. Residents enjoy:

• Cabins and meals.
• Team-building exercises.
• Hiking, swimming, and time to recharge.

Participation is split across weekends based on resident preferences, allowing everyone a chance to unplug.

Creative & Social Wellness Activities

We offer a wide variety of hands-on and restorative events throughout the year:

• Pottery, painting, and knitting classes.
• Cookie decorating and concerts on the plaza.
• Boating days and pool parties.
• Certified therapy dog visits.
• Resident birthdays celebrated monthly.
• Catered holiday meals, including Thanksgiving at the Program Director’s home.

Recognition & Cultural Celebrations

We honor the diverse identities and achievements of our community with:

• Black History Month and IMG Well-being Day.
• Doctor’s Day and Women Physician’s Day.
• Thank a Resident Day – personalized gifts and wellness gear.
• Monthly birthday celebrations.

Resilience & Mental Health

Our quarterly “Resilience in the Clinical Setting” series, launched in collaboration with a local EAP professional, offers supportive, skills-based discussions.
Other resources include:

• Quarterly Resilience in the Clinical Setting fireside chats.
• Confidential therapy access through the Trainee Assistance Program.
• Free meals at didactics and weekly conferences, with special birthday celebrations each month.

Physical Spaces for Wellness

We are actively enhancing wellness spaces to meet residents’ needs:

• Sim Lab updates include healthy, diverse snacks, recycling, and comfort care stations with over-the-counter medications and hygiene items.
• Academic and Sim Lab expansions to better serve the educational and space needs are currently underway.
• Cabell Resident Call Room – redesign underway to include wellness, nutrition, rest, and work zones. 
• Mary’s Call Room – newly outfitted with ergonomic furniture, computers, and workstations.

Community Outreach: Surgeons for Service

We believe in giving back. Our Surgeons for Service program helps residents connect with the community through meaningful volunteer experiences:

• Volunteering at local food banks, animal shelters, and Hospice House.
• Organizing coat, toy, and school supply drives for the underserved.
• Mamm & Glam – now in its 13th year, providing mammograms and spa services for at-risk women.
• Hosting an annual hernia screening for underserved populations.

Inclusivity & Professional Development

• Our program launched a chapter of the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA), featuring book clubs, luncheons, and ongoing programming.
• A department-wide implicit bias training was held in collaboration with the university’s Title IX Office and continues to influence resident and faculty engagement.

Institutional Wellness Support

Through GME, residents benefit from:

• Wellness labs and forums.
• Gym memberships with parking.
• Two new childcare centers, located close to the hospitals to support work-life balance.

Recruitment & Resident Satisfaction

We’re proud that our newest interns consistently cite “culture,” “hospitality,” and “attention to detail” as program strengths. Through ERAS signaling and Thalamus, we fully matched all seven spots with highly ranked applicants who now thrive in our inclusive, wellness-driven environment.

At Marshall Surgery, we believe well-being is essential, and we are committed to continuing to grow and innovate our wellness initiatives to support every resident personally and professionally.