Don't forget to thank a resident on Feb. 26
Michael Paglia, MD, PhD, knows how important the contributions of residents and fellows are.
As a former residency program director and current attending physician and Associate Designated Institutional Official (ADIO), he recognizes the unique effect residents have on the care team. “Everyone is on top their game with a resident or fellow. Since they are still in a learning role, you have to be prepared to teach and to answer often difficult questions. Since everything you do is being scrutinized, quality increases. In the rare instance that I get a patient who says they don’t want to see the resident, I reply, ‘You’ll get better care and follow up if a resident is part of your care team. Whenever I need care, I always ask that a resident be included.’”
In addition to the push for excellence residents provide, Dr. Paglia points to the well-known work ethic of the residency years. “The sheer number of hours they work is phenomenal. I think every day should be Thank a Resident Day, but since there is a specific day set aside, I encourage everyone to celebrate our residents on Feb. 26. Care at Geisinger is better because of them.”
As ADIO, Dr. Paglia assists Dr. Michelle Thompson, the DIO, in overseeing all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited programs in the Northeast, providing oversight and administration of all residency and fellowship programs and assuring compliance with ACGME requirements.
