Each summer, medical school graduates and new physicians start training at UF Health Shands hospitals and programs and UF Health Physicians outpatient primary care and specialty practices. Before they begin advanced clinical education, they are introduced to the UF Health system at housestaff orientation, conducted by the UF College of Medicine Graduate Medical Education Housestaff Affairs office.
The UF College of Medicine GME office supports residents and fellows for three to seven years while they continue their education at UF Health. In the hospital, these physicians are known as housestaff. Residents begin work at a hospital after graduation from medical school. Fellows are physicians who completed their residency and are pursuing additional specialized training.
“Residents and fellows need to be aware of the numerous opportunities available for their personal and professional growth through the GME office,” said Lisa Dixon, M.D., the UF College of Medicine associate dean and designated institutional official for GME. “I want them to know where the GME office is and feel confident that we’re here for them.”
Nearly 250 new housestaff will attend orientation on June 30. College of Medicine leaders will welcome them and they will learn about UF Health patient safety and quality initiatives and hospital and clinical programs and resources. They will also be required to complete UF Health Hospitality and Service training, which focuses on specific Standards of Behavior for staff to provide the best possible patient experience.
As an academic health center, UF Health provides education and supervised on-the-job training for future generations of health care providers and leaders. Residents and fellows practice under the direct supervision of UF College of Medicine faculty physicians. They are a vital part of the health care team, and work with nursing, clinical and support staff to offer exceptional care. This interdisciplinary, diverse team approach and expertise is a benefit to patients being served in a teaching environment.
“Orientation day introduces housestaff to our health care system, and familiarizes them with UF Health requirements, priorities and goals,” said Cristin Owens, UF GME Housestaff Affairs manager. “We want residents and fellows to feel like they’re part of the team, and orientation is the first step in that process.”