Loneliness, Inclusivity, & Well-being in Emergency Medicine (Wellness Committee Sponsored)
Emergency medicine is naturally isolating. EM physicians often work odd hours that differ from their friends, family, and others in their lives. EM as a specialty is often overlooked or discounted, which furthers this trend towards isolation. In residency, there is even more isolation: the imposter syndrome, the frequent schedule changes, the rotation changes, the hierarchical structure that means those of the same training level rarely work together, and the “cowboy” culture are all contributors. While all trainees and many attending face these challenges, those who are different from their peers in some way because of their gender, their sexuality, the color of their skin, their economic background, or a combination of those differences face even more isolation. Isolation and the resultant loneliness affect a person’s mental and physical health, which in turn affect our ability as physicians to care for patients and live a full life. This didactic will discuss the various factors that influence trainee isolation and how they affect trainee well-being. The panel will discuss various instances in their own lives where they have faced isolation and loneliness and how it has affected them. Finally, the panel will work with the audience to create a series of strategies to mitigate their own and their colleagues' isolation and loneliness.
Presenters:
- Christine R. Stehman, MD
- P. Logan Weygandt, MD, MPH
- Vytas P. Karalius, MD, MPH, MA
- Talya Jeffrey, DO, MPH
- Fatou Ndaw
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Christine R. Stehman, MD
Director of Wellness Education
University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria
Christine Stehman, MD is a visiting Clinical Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at University of Illinois College of Medicine, Peoria where she serves as the Director of Wellness Education and Director of Faculty Development. She arrived in Peoria after following a circuitous route including two stops in Chicago separated by service in the US Navy including two combat deployments with the USMC, and fellowship training in Boston. Within the world of Emergency Medicine, outside of her clinical duties, she serves as a guest mentor for the ALiEM Faculty Incubator, a mentor for the CORD Mini-Fellowship in Wellness Leadership, as a member on a number of CORD and SAEM committees, and as a reviewer for a number of journals. In her non-emergency medicine life, she serves as a role model for what she teaches: taking time to travel, spend time with her friends, family and dogs, working out, and reading.
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P. Logan Weygandt, MD, MPH
Johns Hopkins University
P. Logan Weygandt, MD MPH, is an assistant professor and associate program director in the Johns Hopkins Department of Emergency Medicine. Dr. Weygandt completed his Masters in Public Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health before graduating from medical school at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He completed his residency training at Northwestern University Emergency Medicine, where he served as chief resident. Dr. Weygandt's interests include medical education, diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), resident wellness, and healthcare disparities. He practices clinically in the Emergency Departments of Bayview Medical Center and the Johns Hopkins Hospital. He serves on the SAEM Equity and Inclusion and Wellness Committees and the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Council of Residency Directors (CORD-EM).
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Vytas P. Karalius, MD, MPH, MA
Stanford University
"The Resident Unionization Study: A Qualitative Analysis of Drivers and Outcomes"
Dr. Karalius is an Assistant Program Director and is completing his Medical Education Scholarship Fellowship at Stanford University’s Department of Emergency Medicine. He earned his medical degree from the Mayo Clinic School of Medicine and completed his emergency medicine residency at Northwestern University. He also holds a Master of Public Health and a Master of Medical Sciences from Loyola University.
Dr. Karalius also continues to serve as a faculty member for the Harvard Macy Institute Program for Educators in the Health Professions, and recently awarded the Exceptional Faculty designation. As a former SAEM RAMS Board member, Dr. Karalius continues to be involved with SAEM and is a member of the SAEM Education Committee, SAEM Wellness Committee, and SAEM Equity & Inclusion Committee.
Dr. Karalius’ primary focus is on graduate medical education, physician/trainee wellness and workforce attrition. He was recently awared the SAEMF Education Research Training Grant in 2024, for his work focusing on resident unionization as it relates to trainee well-being. He is involved in numerous projects and sitting on numerous department, institutional and national committees focused on wellness and medical education, including the Diversity Advisory Group at Stanford, School of Medicine Admissions Committee, and SAEM. Dr. Karalius has co-authored articles for peer-reviewed publications such as Annals of Emergency Medicine and Journal of Graduate Medical Education. He also has contributed to numerous online publications and podcasts, including articles, podcasts and national webinars on education and physician/trainee wellbeing. -
Talya Jeffrey, DO, MPH
University of Illinois College of Medicine - Peoria
Talya M. Jeffrey, DO, MPH, is a second year Emergency Medicine resident at the University of Illinois College of Medicine – Peoria. She obtained her DO/MPH from Pacific Northwest University COM & Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.
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Fatou Ndaw
University of Illinois- Peoria
Fatou is a fourth-year medical student who aims to become a leader in Emergency Medicine. She graduated with a bachelor's in Biology from the University of Michigan and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine- Peoria, expected to graduate in 2024. She recently mached into emergency medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. She is committed to improving both patient well-being and the medical community, as demonstrated by her involvement in organizations such as the Emergency Medicine Interest Group, Urban Health Program, and Student National Medical Association where she mentors underrepresented minority students and supports diversity in the field. In her free time, she enjoys family time, CrossFit, crocheting, and watching anime.