Mentorship

UCSD ophthalmology residents benefit from a collegial culture within the department that encourages collaboration and mutual learning. Faculty are excited about mentoring UCSD ophthalmology residents. There are opportunities for formal mentorship (e.g. via the residency research program) or for informal mentorship. The department hosts various community-building activities throughout the year to foster relationships among faculty, staff, and trainees, including a start-of-the-year welcome party, holiday celebrations, potluck lunches throughout the year, graduation ceremony at the end of the year, and additional ad hoc social events. For residents who are interested in serving as mentors themselves, there are also peer mentoring programs (such as the RISE program in the School of Medicine) and opportunities to mentor medical students interested in ophthalmology.

Wellness

Our department prioritizes wellness of all of our team members, including residents and fellows. Below are just a few examples of how we support wellness and balance.

Caring for the health of our residents and fellows:

• Ginger app for mental health support
• All GME physicians at UCSD have free access to live sessions with board certified psychiatrists, completely anonymous

Primary care concierge services - taking care of our physicians

• Private line and access to UCSD health care providers – to take care of our own health
• Dinner provided at every resident didactic session

Our Philosophy

• We’re proud of our trainees, who will one day be our colleagues
• We celebrate achievement, and support our trainees through the residency years
• Residents voices matter - residents join in the monthly education committee meetings to discuss new issues as they arise to leadership

Wellness activities - Better Together

• Activities range from small group discussions on topics related to residency life, preparing and planning for career, journal clubs, and get-togethers with current faculty and graduated alumni

Wellness built into lecture curriculum

- past small group discussions have included:

• Imposter syndrome: small group discussion
• Time management tips
• Financial pearls for residents
• Sleep and emotional support
• Preparing for post-graduation Board Exams: hands-on Workshop
• Diversity and inclusion journal club, hosted in faculty’s house
• Grand Rounds invited guest speaker on Wellness topics

Some activities in recent years include:

• Ping Pong Tournament - staff, faculty, and trainees
• Taco truck Welcome event for new residents and fellows
• Ice Cream Social
• Summer Beach New faculty and trainee welcome event
• Career planning dinner: perspectives from previous alumni