Resident Physician Community Partnership
When Boca Raton Regional Hospital opened its doors to the first class of
Internal Medicine Residents from Florida Atlantic University’s Charles
E. Schmidt College of Medicine in July of 2014, the welcoming extended
well beyond the halls of the Hospital. Dozens of local civic-minded individuals
joined together to create The Resident Physician Community Partnership,
a unique program providing social support and mentorship to our medical
residents and their families.
WHY WAS THE PARTNERSHIP STARTED?
Graduate Medical Education is a demanding experience for residents. Rigorous
training. Intense hours. Pressure situations.
Many of these young men and women come to Boca Raton from other states,
or other countries, where they and their families find themselves in unfamiliar
surroundings. This alone can present challenges for the doctors. When
coupled with their arduous schedule and the responsibilities of a residency,
it can be especially burdensome. The Partnership was designed to provide
assistance to medical residents at Boca Regional and help to acclimate
them to life in South Florida from a host of perspectives.
Another important benefit of the Partnership arises out of the fact the
studies show that around 50 percent of doctors practice within 20 miles
of where they performed their residency. Amid increasing demand for medical
care in our region, especially Primary Care, the Partnership aims to foster
an environment of support that goes beyond the residents’ training
and helps to create and nurture a special relationship that can have a
positive influence on their decision as to where they will ultimately
choose to care for patients.
WHAT DOES THE PARTNERSHIP DO OR PROVIDE?
The Partnership connects a diverse group of community leaders and professionals
to Boca Regional’s medical residents and maintains an ongoing relationship
with them. The Partnership interacts with the residents by hosting social
outings and networking events, providing information and insight on housing,
religious affiliations, school systems, child care services, spousal job
relocation assistance, area restaurants, shopping, recreational activities,
parks, and other issues of importance to the lives of the residents beyond
that of their training.
As important, the Partnership develops key friendships between its members
and the doctors, which can be used to share insight, experience and advice
on a host of matters important to these young clinicians.
In the final analysis, the Partnership is truly a win-win for everyone
involved.
HOW CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP?