After a hard-worked past few months through the COVID-19 pandemic, the UF Emergency Medicine residency program is taking time to focus on this year’s achievements and looking forward to a new year.

Summer brings an end to our senior residents’ time with us. In June, our PGY-3’s presented their hard work in research and quality improvement. Two of those quality improvement projects include the development of a multidisciplinary DVT discharge pathway, as well as the creation of a standardized process for medically clearing Baker Act patients, and they have already started making a difference in our department

The symbolic hand-off of chief responsibilities took place at the annual chief resident dinner. A huge thank you to Assistant Residency Program Director, Dr. Nicholas Maldonado, for hosting the dinner. If you have not had a T-bone steak cooked on his Big Green Egg grill… you are missing out. Thank you so much Drs. Austin Reed, Tierra Smith and Garrett Snipes for their work as chief residents this past year! We would also like to welcome Drs. Christopher Purcell, Lauren Fisher and Shannon Williams as they prepare to lead us through this next year.

A new academic year means new interns and medical students who are eager to learn. We are excited to introduce a “teaching shift” into our PGY-3 schedules. This allows for dedicated on-shift teaching time to help enhance the medical student experience and gives the new interns another senior resident in the department to learn from. We cannot wait to get these shifts started!

Each July brings a “resident wellness day” where everyone is given the day off to participate in a group activity. Last year we had such a blast floating down Ginnie Springs that we are returning this year for even more fun.■