Early Assessment and Mentoring
The GME Assessment and Mentoring Program supports the growth and development of residents and fellows through individualized assessment, mentoring, coaching, and early developmental support. The goal is to transform assessment into meaningful insight to help the trainees identify strengths, recognize opportunities for growth, and develop strategies for continued professional development. For more information, contact Dr. Laconda Fanning fanninlg@odu.edu
EVMS@ODU/Sentara Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Council
The purpose of this monthly council meeting is for trainees to develop the knowledge, ability and skills to directly communicate with the primary teaching hospitals’ patient safety and quality care leadership team at SNGH (CMO, Associate CMO, and Director of Quality). The residents/fellows share their patient safety concerns from their program and propose recommendations for improvements. The SNGH leadership team provides a patient safety education topic each month. For more information, contact Dr. Agatha Parks-Savage parksac@odu.edu
Faculty Development
Faculty members teaching in our GME programs are required to complete annual training on topics related to the teaching and supervision of residents and fellows in the learning environment. These requirements aim to ensure that faculty in academic medical centers enhance the transference of knowledge and skills, fostering a culture of inquiry and continuous improvement in medical education. Dr. Heather Newton has created a series of mini-educational online modules to meet the needs of all our faculty. For more information, contact Dr. Newton newtonhl@odu.edu
Fellowship Orientation
Incoming fellows training at EVMS@ODU will take part in an orientation program. This takes place early in the month of July of each year. A sample of topics during this training include transitioning from resident to fellow, skills for becoming a consultant, practicing with your license in Virginia, self-care/wellbeing, and IRB and research resources. For more information, contact Dr. Agatha Parks-Savage parksac@odu.edu
GME Faculty Orientation
All faculty members teaching or evaluating residents/fellows will be invited to take part in an educational program designed to help expand their skills as a teacher, mentor, and supervisor. The program also includes the Residents as Teacher Program that will re-launch Fall 2027, with the support of The Fine Family Academy of Educators. The training will be offered in multiple modalities: in-person, live-virtual, and asynchronously. The orientation program is facilitated in partnership with the Ellmer School of Nursing at ODU. For more information, contact Dr. Agatha Parks-Savage parksac@odu.edu
Program Coordinators
Dr. Heather Newton has oversight of the GME residency and fellowship program coordinators (PCs). She has developed an onboarding process for new PCs with our EVMS@ODU, CHKD, and Sentara based programs. Additionally, she collaborates with the GME office staff to prepare experienced PCs for completing the national TAGME certification. For more information, contact Dr. Newton newtonhl@odu.edu
Program Director Orientation
New program directors will have the opportunity to take part in an individualized orientation program facilitated by the GME office. The program involves regularly scheduled meetings with the GME DIO and/or the GME Educators. The contact person is Dr. Agatha Parks-Savage parksac@odu.edu
Well-being
Dr. Cory Gerwe is the Director of GME Leadership, Coaching, and Wellness. Listed below are wellbeing resources designed for our residents/fellows. For more information, contact Dr. Gerwe gerwecd@odu.edu.
Initiatives
| Initiative | Purpose | Reach and Reported Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness and Leadership Coaching | Individual coaching for wellness, learning, communication, leadership, and individualized learning plans. | About 482 residents/fellows reached since 2022 (promotion appendices). In a combined survey (n=18), 100% reported a positive influence on wellness; 94% on leadership and confidence. |
| Breaking Bad News | Simulated patient encounters, video review, and debrief to practice compassionate conversations. | 2025–26 post-survey: 59 responses; 59/59 satisfied or extremely satisfied overall, and 58/59 said training improved their ability. Redesign as a group workshop is planned for 2027. |
| SupportU Peer Support | Training in listening, responding to colleagues after stressful events, and connecting peers to resources. | 135 residents trained in 2023–24; 31 in the 2025 simulation pilot. In the 2023–24 evaluation, 85% strongly agreed they learned more about vicarious trauma; in a focus group, participants reported using skills with peers. |
| Resident as Chief | Two-part interactive leadership and simulation training on conflict, professionalism, and supporting residents in difficult conversations. | 2026 combined summaries: All surveyed participants in Part 1 and Part 2 rated overall quality satisfied or very satisfied; self-rated knowledge increased across topics in both parts. |
| Resident and Fellow Association (RAFA) | Resident-led meetings and social events for advocacy, feedback, and connection across programs. | In AY24/25, RAFA held 3 business meetings (including 20-person meet-and-greet) and 2 social events (17 and 35 attendees). In AY25/26, held 4 business meetings (including 22-person intern meet-and-greet); fall and spring socials drew 23 and 34 attendees. In both years, all post-event survey respondents reported gatherings strengthened connections and supported well-being. |
| New Resident Orientation | Institutional introduction to well-being resources, support, and how residents can access help. | About 145 new residents attended orientation in 2026; comments named wellness and mental health resources among valuable topics. In 2025, 75% rated the well-being segment excellent. |
| Program Wellness Presentations | Tailored sessions on evidence-based wellness strategies, time management, autonomy, and survey findings. | Examples: Internal Medicine wellness strategies; Neurology resident retreat; PCCM fellows’ time management; OBGYN faculty retreat (42 attendees); OBGYN and Psychiatry survey reviews (18 and 22 residents). In PCCM, survey respondents reported increased time-management knowledge and intent to use a technique. |
| Spouse/Partner Support Group | Support network for partners and spouses of medical trainees to build connections, share resources, and engage with institutional leadership. | GME provides funding support for on-campus meeting snacks/meals and helps connect the group to support resources. Contact: Dr. Agatha Parks-Savage, parksac@odu.edu |
| Work to Home Transportation (Fatigue Mitigation) | Provides safe alternative transportation home for residents who are too fatigued to safely drive after clinical duties. | Residents who are too fatigued to safely drive home after clinical duties are encouraged to notify program leadership. Transportation (e.g., Uber/Lyft) will be provided in accordance with GME wellness and fatigue mitigation practices—Contact your Program Director, Chief Resident, or the GME Office--Dr. Agatha Parks-Savage, parksac@odu.edu |
| Access to Primary Care Physician (PCP) | Expedited and prioritized primary care access for EVMS residents and fellows through the EVMS Department of Family and Community Medicine. | Direct scheduling via Family Medicine Portsmouth location (757-397-6344). Trainees identify as EVMS Resident/Fellow; estimated wait times range from same day (if ill) to 2 weeks (establishing care). Family Medicine residents will be referred to the Internal Medicine program. |
| Access to Psychiatry | Prioritized psychiatric evaluations and behavioral health appointments for EVMS trainees through the EVMS Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and external private practice options. | EVMS Psychiatry Clinic (757-446-5888) Options: 1–2 days (APP), 5–10 days (PGY-3 resident), or several weeks to see an Attending psychiatrist. Alternative off-campus private practice access via Dr. Patricia King's office in Chesapeake (757-436-2444). Emergency 24/7 mental health care can be accessed through the nearest emergency department or calling (757) 627-LIFE which is monitored by Virginia Beach Psychiatric Center. |
| Nursing Nook Access (Lactation Rooms) | Dedicated, private, locked, and secure lactation spaces across campus and clinical sites for nursing trainees and staff. | On-campus locations: Andrews Hall 140A, Strelitz A118 & 2003, Hofheimer 167, Lewis 2007, Waitzer 121 & 924 (access via Occupational Health: 757-446-5870). Clinical locations: Sentara Norfolk General Hospital (GICU, River Pavilion, K Wing, Heart Hospital—contact Dr. Gerwe for the door access code, gerwecd@odu.edu) and CHKD (6th Floor Resident Lounge; CHKD badge access). |
| Zen Den | Dedicated 24/7 'Work Free Zone' designed for quiet reflection, peaceful respite, and stress mitigation. | Located on the first floor (former uniform shop space). Open 24/7, accommodates up to 6 people at a time for 15-minute quiet respites. |
| Employee Assistance Program (EAP) | Confidential professional counseling services available in-person or virtually for trainees. | Provides up to 5 cost-free counseling sessions per issue (extensions or referrals possible). Contact: Jessica Rabil (SNGH EAP Counselor) at 757-363-6777 or 757-985-5333, jxrabil@sentara.com. |
| Well-Being Index | Brief, validated self-assessment developed by Mayo Clinic that helps residents and fellows assess distress, compare results with national peers, and access local and national support resources. | Takes less than one minute to complete. Individual responses and scores are private and are not made available to GME or program leadership. Existing users can log in at www.mywellbeingindex.org. For help registering, contact Dr. Cory Gerwe at gerwecd@odu.edu. |
