Advice to Interns from Program Directors

 From the 7/9/2021 newsletter

Perspective/Opinion

 

Advice to Interns from Program Directors

 

Compiled by Kathlyn Fletcher, MD MA

 

 

Dr. Fletcher asked several residency program directors from MCWAH to provide their advice to new interns: practical, funny, or both. Here is what they had to say …

 

 

Chad Carlson, MD, FAAN

Professor and Vice Chair – Education

Program Director, Neurology Residency

Program Director, Clinical Neurophysiology & Epilepsy Fellowships

• If you crave a tasty (soft) cookie, check out the Hub.
• It is never too early to start identifying and talking to potential mentors.
• Completing medical notes is not like enjoying a fine wine; notes do not benefit from letting them age or breathe, so complete them in a timely manner.

 

 

 

Yvonne Chiu, MD

Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics

Program Director, Dermatology Residency

• Use the same password for your work (MCW, Froedtert, VA, and Children’s) accounts and change them all at the same time. Makes it easier to remember what your current password is when you move between sites.
• Bring your lunch when you can. You eat healthier when you are not relying on cafeteria food.
• For those residents who take home call and need to call patients, download the Doximity app. It allows you to call patients using the hospital name and phone number in the caller ID.

 

 

 

Sriram Darisetty, MD, FACP

Assistant Professor of Medicine
Program Director, Transitional Year Residency Program, MCWAH- St Joseph.

• Try not to be under-confident, but absolutely avoid being over-confident. 
• Autonomy is earned, not given.

 

 

 

Stacy L. Fairbanks, MD

Associate Professor of Anesthesiology

Program Director, Core Anesthesiology Residency 

• Prioritize sleep or you won’t get it.  Sleep 7-9 hours per night whenever possible. 
• Study a little bit every day.  Gaining the knowledge you need to pass certifying exams is a marathon, not a sprint.

 

 

 

Kathlyn Fletcher, MD MA

Professor of Internal Medicine

Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency Program

• Always do what is in the best interest of your patient. I actually borrowed this one from a former mentor, Dr. Arthur Rubenstein.
• The quality of your day is directly proportional to how many people you say “hello” to on your way into work.  I have no data to prove this, but I am pretty sure I am right.
• Patients want to believe that you care about them beyond your professional obligation to care.  I do have evidence to back this up and would be happy to provide it to anyone who is interested.

 

 

Camille Garrison, MD

Associate Professor, Medical College of WI, DFCM

Program Director, Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Family Medicine Residency Program

• Don’t put emojis in a patient’s chart… 😊
• The patients you see are not a means to an end. It is an honor and privilege to care for them.
• Take advantage of every opportunity to grow while in residency, both personally and professionally. What you get out of residency, has a lot to do with what you put in.

 

 

 

 

Matthew Goldblatt, MD

Professor of Surgery

Program Director, General Surgery Residency

• Find good bathrooms

 

 

 

 

Alisa Hayes, MD

Professor of Emergency Medicine

Program Director, Emergency Medicine

• Give yourself enough time to park and arrive on time. Your PD will get a notification if you park illegally.
• The Froedtert finder app can help you navigate the hospital and find rooms / locations as well as notify security when you are leaving the hospital at odd hours.

 

 

 

Heather Toth, MD

Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics

Program Director, Internal Medicine/Pediatrics combined program

• We are all here for you! Please reach out to us as we have all been interns at some point in our lives.
• Remember to stay in touch with family, friends, colleagues, hobbies and things you love.

 

 

 

 

Kathlyn E. Fletcher, MD MA is a Professor and residency program director in the Department of Medicine at MCW. She is the co-Director of the Graduate Medical Education Pillar of the Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Institute for the Transformation of Medical Education.