At Phoenix Children's, we realize that the demands and stresses of being a resident is unique. The well-being of our trainees is important to us; however, we understand that each person defines "wellness" differently and there is no one-size-fits-all model. Our program recognizes this and believes as physicians, we must care for ourselves in order to provide the best care we can for our patients and their families. As a program, we are committed to support resident wellness in all we do.

To this end, the purpose of our GME Well-Being Program is to develop a comprehensive approach to trainee well-being that includes integrated workshops, innovative curriculum and programs, structured didactics, committees, resources, and industry 'best practices'.

Our GME Wellness Administrator, Jennifer Farabaugh, is available to provide a variety of resources to ensure our residents and fellows thrive during their training.
 

Jennifer Farabaugh, MPH
GME Wellness Program Administrator
1919 E. Thomas Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85016
jfarabaugh [at] phoenixchildrens.com (jfarabaugh[at]phoenixchildrens[dot]com)
602-933-0471

Services and Programs

  • Class Lunches and Retreats
    • Residents are scheduled for quarterly lunches with their class that include:
      • Level-appropriate education curriculum
      • Professional development curriculum
      • Resident becoming educators initiatives
      • Time to connect with peers
    • Coverage provided for all residents to participate in their respective annual class-level retreat.
  • Academic Block Conference
    • Three Thursdays each month our residents have protected time, free of clinical responsibilities, reserved for our program's core didactic curriculum.
    • This three-hour block is a time for our residents to learn important information pertinent to high value clinical care in Pediatrics, as well as emphasizing information important for board preparation.
  • Wellness Block Conference 
    • Two block conference sessions each year are reserved for planned residency wellness or team building activities. 
    • House Staff Meetings - monthly house staff meetings held by annually elected officers feature program updates and announcements. Residents have opportunities to join house staff committees including:
      • Social Committee: past activities have included local Trivia Nights, dinners at local restaurants and local museum evening events.
      • Community Service Committee: past activities have included local community health fairs and potluck dinners at the Phoenix Children's Ronald McDonald House.
      • Family and Friends Committee: focus on family friendly activities. Past activities have included bowling nights and Halloween parties.
      • Resident Well-Being and Fatigue Mitigation: focus on initiatives around addressing resident wellness and fatigue. Past activities have included organizing resident appreciation/benefits day.
    • Intern Appreciation Night - Annual dinner and appreciation night to recognize the hard work of the intern class, held in May of first year with coverage provided for all interns. Family and significant others welcome.
    • Holiday Party - Annual holiday party with buffet dinner and dancing at local Phoenix resort. Family and significant others welcome.
    • Intern Week - The last week of the academic year is every intern's 4th week of vacation! In the past, groups of interns have celebrated the end of intern year together; going to nearby San Diego and renting a beach house or exploring beautiful northern AZ to escape the heat.
    • Holiday Schedule - Residents are given a block of time off over either Christmas or New Year's to spend holidays with family and friends.
    • On-Site Counseling Services
      • Phoenix Children’s offers FREE safe, confidential, and convenient on-site counseling with licensed clinical psychologists through our EAP Program.
    • The Universal Check-In Program 
      • Created to eliminate barriers to self-care and normalize the concept of seeking professional guidance and care for mental wellbeing.
      • Each resident is given protected time and scheduled for a confidential appointment with an on-site licensed psychologist through our EAP program. Residents can elect to opt-out of the visit if they choose.
    • Phoenix Children's Wellness Center - Open 24/7 and offers:
      • Movement Classes
      • Fitness Equipment
      • Massage Chairs
      • Relaxation Space
      • Cooking Classes
      • Pet-Therapy
    • Cigna Employee Assistance and Work Like Programs - As a Phoenix Children's employee, you and members of your household have access to the Cigna Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You do not need to be enrolled in our health benefits to utilize this program. Take advantage of a wide range of services offered at no cost to you:
      • Mental Health Counseling: Eight face-to-face counseling sessions with a counselor in your area.
      • Legal Consulting: 30 minute consultation with an attorney face-to-face or by phone.
      • Financial Services: 30 minute telephone consultation with a qualified specialist on topics such as debt counseling or retirement planning.
      • Parenting: Resources and referrals for childcare providers, before and after-school program, camps, adoption organizations, child development, prenatal care and more.
      • Senior Care: Resources and referrals for home health agencies, assisted living facilities, social and recreational programs and long-distance caregiving.
      • Pet Care: Resources and referrals for pet sitting, obedience training, veterinarians and pet stores.
      • Identity Theft: 60-minute consultation with a fraud resolution specialist.
    • Employer Provided Physical Wellness Programs
      • Vitality is an online community that serves as a place of encouragement and health education. The program offers rewards for workouts and physical activity that can be applied towards the purchase of an Apple Watch or other fitness tracking device.
      • Zipongo proves nutrition recommendations and resources from physicians and dietitians.
      • Active & Fit allows users to access over 10,000 participating fitness centers nationwide for one low monthly fee.
    • Free Access to Headspace - Headspace delivers a gym workout for your mind offering a course of mediation, in a bite-sized three to ten minute exercise, delivered through an app or online. Best of all, as a Phoenix Children's employee, you get Headspace for free!