Jefferson-Einstein Montgomery Hospital  - Internal Medicine Residency - Paint Night, February 21, 2024 

On 02/21/2024, a paint night was hosted for the JEMH Internal Medicine residency. The purpose of this event was to implement a resident wellness activity in a way that is interactive and mentally engaging, but also fun. As residents, we spend most of our time...

... working, learning, and studying to improve our clinical skills. This event allowed us to take a moment to step back and shift our focus to art.

We chose art because it is therapeutic for many but does not require a proficient skill set. During the event, a painting session was instructed by a fellow resident who has a strong interest in the fine arts. We bonded as a program inclusive to both those who share a love for art and those who were painting for the first time.

Art therapy is a tool proven to help improve mood and well-being. Residency hours are long and often residents may not find time to pursue hobbies outside of their daily responsibilities. This form of expression has been shown to increase emotional stability and self-confidence, two traits that are vital to our success inside the workplace.

Facilitating this painting session was also a way to provide a cost-free opportunity to learn art and share our own experiences with each other.

The main takeaway from this event was that wellness can be shared in many ways with those around us. Creativity allows us to relieve stress by focusing on something new, but it also cultivates an enjoyable environment. Upon returning to work, our goal was to ensure residents felt like they were able to relieve stress and enjoy a new activity together. Our hope is that this opportunity will inspire more residents to take initiative in planning creative events on a small or large scale with colleagues.

Moving forward, POMA can continue to provide financial support and facilitate ideas for wellness events, big or small. We would appreciate reminders and encouragement to prioritize wellness, as these can easily be forgotten during the day-to-day commitment.