New Mexico's First Housestaff Appreciation Day

To the strains of live country, western and mariachi music,more than 130 interns, residents, and fellows at the University of New Mexico Hospital enjoyed a beautiful clear day, a feast of enchiladas, rice and beans, and some very targeted stress reduction, as a thank-you for the hard work, skills, compassion and dedication that resident physicians show every day on the job.
The event was the first-ever Housestaff Appreciation Day, held on October 17, 2008, and organized by CIR UNM, along with the Khatali Physician Alumni Association and the UNM Resident Council. Dr. Amy Garcia, a PGY 3 in Pediatrics and the CIR leader who got the ball rolling to create the event, gave a welcoming address. “Working with CIR, residents have been able to accomplish some terrific things, including this Housestaff Appreciation Day,which gives resident physicians some recognition for our long hours and commitment to our patients,” she said. Other speakers included UNMH CEO Steve McKernan, GME Associate Dean Dr. David Sklar, and Associate Dean of Health Sciences Center Dr. Jeffrey Griffith. They recognized UNM housestaff and proclaimed the day a great event that should continue annually. That stress-reduction mentioned earlier? It was delivered via five massage therapists on hand to give free back massages. Why can’t every day be Housestaff Appreciation Day?