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Prioritizing Resident Wellness
Amid the countless commitments of residency, PGY4 Delaram Mirzania, M.D., has found time and energy to devote to the wellness of her fellow residents. The initiative she spearheads is fostering a more enjoyable work culture, prioritizing personal growth, work-life balance and interpersonal connections.
Resident wellness is not a new concept at Kellogg, but until recently, individual events were suggested, funded and promoted on an ad hoc basis. Dr. Mirzania approached fellow residents Rachana Haliyur, M.D., Ph.D., and Alexander Valentine, M.D., to collaborate and create an organized approach to wellness for residents. “We felt that wellness needed to be integrated into the curriculum,” Dr. Mirzania says. “For that, we needed organization, a specific proposal, and a budget.”
The first step was forming a resident-run wellness committee, led by two Kellogg residents and overseen by Kellogg Wellness Director Amy Zhang, M.D. Their efforts led to a comprehensive program with four primary components:
Recognition and Socialization Opportunities— staging events outside of work to mark milestones, such as welcoming new residents, marking the completion of the Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program exam, match day and graduation. Recent events included bowling, kayaking, and a game night in Ann Arbor. “Our goal is to celebrate our community and residents’ achievements,” says Dr. Mirzania.
Professional Development and Coping Strategies— partnering with the Michigan Medicine Office of Counseling and Workplace Resilience to host regular seminars and speakers, and facilitator-guided “reflection rounds” to discuss the residency experience, improve group connections and communication, and learn about coping resources to mitigate residency-related stressors.
A Wellness Visiting Professor—in 2024, the wellness committee hosted Duke University Associate Professor William Bynum, M.D., for a dinner and workshop with residents. He shared his research on the experiences and emotions—both positive and negative— of medical learners progressing through training.
General health initiatives to enhance wellness— including making improvements to the resident lounge and offering healthy snack options.
Initial metrics from a resident survey confirmed that the initiative is already having a positive impact. Eighty six percent of respondents reported that the programming was relevant to their wellness.
“I can’t overstate the level of support we’ve received from leadership and faculty,” says Dr. Mirzania. “Their engagement shows Kellogg’s commitment to helping residents thrive despite the rigors of our training.”
