At last week’s orientation for new house staff members, Allison Bollinger, M.D., center, gives a thumbs-up during the respirator fitting as Jessica Rosen, M.D., left, and Meghann Pine, M.D., look on. (photo by Dana Johnson)
Incoming residents, fellows excited about getting started
Vanderbilt welcomed 259 eager new members of the Medical Center house staff during the annual Resident Orientation on June 24.
On July 1 — their official first day of work — the residents either began caring for patients for the first time in their fledgling careers as physicians or embarked on the beginning of their subspecialty career.
The three-day orientation kicked off with introductory remarks from Jeff Balser, M.D. Ph.D., interim dean of the School of Medicine and associate vice chancellor for Research.
“We hold discovery at the center of everything we do and you, our residents and fellows, are a big part of that,” Balser said.
Donald Brady, M.D., associate dean and director of Graduate Medical Education, spoke of the men and women who have contributed to Vanderbilt's rich history, as featured in the portraits in Light Hall.
“These portraits will give you a taste of the community you are coming into,” said Brady, who went on to challenge each new doctor “to hold to the vision that led you into medicine,” then concluded by noting that “we are dedicated to making you the best physician, teacher and scientist you can be.”
The new residents and fellows hail from 87 different schools from across the United States and around the world and will enter 75 different residency and fellowship programs. Twenty-six residents are graduates of VUSM's class of 2008.
“It's very exciting to get started, but I'm very nervous too,” said Brittany Peters, M.D., Pediatrics intern and graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina. “Thankfully, everyone is being really friendly. I'm looking forward to the next three years at Vanderbilt.”
Asked about what it is like to be at Vanderbilt, Tom Austin, M.D., a resident in Anesthesiology said, “It's amazing. I love Nashville and it's great to have the opportunity to continue my education here while I develop my skills as a physician.”