(iStock)
Every year, medical institutions throughout the United States set aside a time to recognize and honor the often-unsung heroes of health care during Thank a Resident and Fellow Day, typically observed on the last Friday in February. At Vanderbilt Health, this time of gratitude is extended to an entire week, Feb. 23-27.
At Vanderbilt Health, there are currently more than 1,200 residents and fellows in more than 180 programs, all of whom contribute significantly to patient care and research, and serve a crucial role in the training of medical students.
The rigorous training in residency provides focused learning and clinical experience in chosen fields of specialty such as internal medicine, surgery or pediatrics. Additional expertise and concentrated experiences are gained during fellowship training in subspecialties, for example, vascular medicine, allergy/immunology or hematology/oncology.
“Our residents and fellows are central to our institution and to our mission of serving our communities and expanding innovation in medicine and research,” said Kendra Parekh, MD, MHPE, Vice President for Educational Affairs and associate dean for Graduate Medical Education for Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
“It’s not just their clinical excellence that is so valued and appreciated, but also their empathy and the humanity with which they serve their patients, support each other and really show up day in and day out, even in extenuating circumstances such as the recent major ice storm.”
Thank a Resident and Fellow Day was created in 2018 by the Gold Humanism Honor Society, a national society that recognizes individuals who exemplify humanistic patient care and who serve as role models, mentors and leaders in medicine. Today, the special event is celebrated by more than 900 residency sites.
Throughout the week, Vanderbilt Health residents and fellows will be celebrated with special events and treats at locations throughout the 21st Avenue campus, at Vanderbilt Health One Hundred Oaks and at Vanderbilt Medical Laboratories at MetroCenter. One highlight comes Wednesday, Feb. 25, as residents and fellows have the opportunity to have frozen yogurt while also enjoying the wonderful company of therapy dogs.
First year internal medicine resident Yuanchu (James) Yang, MD, is a “triple-’Dore” in progress, as he completed his undergraduate and medical school training at Vanderbilt University, and is now completing his residency at Vanderbilt Health.
The Murfreesboro, Tennessee, native said the friendly, collaborative spirit at Vanderbilt, and especially the willingness of faculty and upper-level residents to mentor and share their knowledge has made his residency even more rewarding.
“What is really unique about Vanderbilt is the culture,” Yang said. “Everyone is incredibly nice, incredibly supportive. Even as a first-year resident, I’ve had so many people reach out to me to offer mentoring in areas that I’m really interested in. They’re world experts in their field or they’re residents in their third and fourth year or fellows, and despite their incredibly busy schedules, they’re offering to sit down and explain a topic to me.”
Yang said some of the most rewarding experiences he’s had as a resident have been during his clinical hours at the Nashville VA Medical Center, which is adjacent to the Vanderbilt Health Main Campus. The veterans he cares for might thank him for listening to their stories, but Yang feels like he’s benefited the most.
“I’m really into history and hearing these individuals talk about the service they’ve done for our country is much more rewarding than reading about these events in a textbook,” he said.
Learning that Vanderbilt Health is celebrating the contributions of residents and fellows during official recognition of Thank a Resident and Fellow Week is a welcome surprise, Yang said.
“I really appreciate this, just because we do put in a lot of work in the hospital that sometimes might not be directly seen by patients. Having a special week to hear others say ‘thank you’ means so much to us.”
Parekh encourages the Vanderbilt Health community to take a moment to thank residents and fellows for all they do.
“Acknowledging residents and fellows isn’t just about saying ‘thank you,’ Parekh said. “It’s about recognizing the very human aspect of their work, above and beyond their efforts in the clinical space or lab. Just that little moment when you hear a thank you connects you back to your purpose and lets you know that you are seen and acknowledged for all your efforts.
“I encourage everyone to pause to uplift these wonderful individuals during Thank a Resident and Fellow Week by offering a tangible and heartfelt moment of gratitude. This is an opportunity for all of us to say, ‘We see you! We appreciate you, and we are grateful for all of your hard work and dedication.’ Whether it’s a quick note or a few words of thanks, these acts of kindness can make a profound difference.”
