Residency is an exciting and challenging time of our lives. Graduating from medical school, we are finally doctors...and we are making the important decisions that affect our patients lives. A huge honor and responsibility for sure.

While this season would not be complete without hard work, personal growth and career development, it also would not be complete without good friends and fun times.

In addition to weekly conferences, residents and faculty have the chance to interact socially and professionally at our monthly Journal clubs.  Each month a faculty member welcomes the Department into their home for this lively discussion of controversial topics in EM. A select group of residents is responsible for doing the literature search and coming prepared to lead the discussion with the assistance of the faculty host.

Each year, we welcome our new group of residents at a party hosted by Dr. Ornato at his home. This popular event is attended by faculty, residents and their families. In the summer, the department fields a co-ed soccer team that plays in the city’s adult sports league. Code Red has been so popular that it now attracts residents from other departments in the hospital as well. Largely made up of people who just love to play, all skill levels are welcome. This continues to be an annual hit.

Each winter there is a holiday party that draws friends and family from the entire Emergency Department. The event is open to all members of the ED family and their guests and is usually held at a local hotel or country club. Everyone peels off the scrubs and “puts on the Ritz” for this formal bash.

Outside of the department, Richmond offers a wide variety of activities for all interests. Sports enthusiasts have year round attractions including minor league baseball (Richmond Braves) and soccer (Richmond Kickers), as well as athletics of several major universities, most notably the Richmond Spiders and VCU Rams here in the city and one hour the nationally ranked University of Virginia Cavaliers. Moreover, with the Washington-Baltimore area within two hours, the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB are all within your reach.

For those who’d rather play than watch, there are several affordable athletic outlets in the city. Membership is subsidized for all housestaff at the University’s athletic centers. The University has over 5 athletic centers including the world-class Siegel Center with free weights, nautilus, cardio equipment and athletic courts for basketball, volleyball, and racquetball. VCU also has a gym dedicated to the MCV hospital campus that has a selection of all of the above as well as a swimming pool, whirlpool, Sauna and steam room facilities. For residents that would prefer a private gym, the city offers several options to suit your taste. These include 24-hour all inclusive centers like American Family Fitness and Gold’s Gym-many of which offer child-care as well, to the more upscale Capital Club located just three blocks from the hospital featuring luxury facilities and a business club. All of these are within residents’ budgets and are currently attended by residents in the program.

The city also is full of biking trails along the James River. The James is a popular weekend destination for whitewater rafters and kayakers alike. The rapids run right through the heart of the city. Beginners can take classes at VCU to teach you all the basics of navigating a kayak or canoe. Richmond’s proximity to so many other centers and easy access to the interstate gives residents several destinations within a short drive that can satisfy every craving. For water lovers, Virginia’s shore is just 2-3 hours away. Run down for the day or a long weekend and enjoy all that Norfolk, Virginia Beach and the Eastern Shore have to offer. Whether it’s sailing, kayaking, camping or just laying in the sun, Virginia’s coast provides something for everyone.

Residents are even closer to the mountains heading west on I-64. Charlottesville, a mere one hour away, serves as the gateway to the hiking, camping, skiing and snowboarding in the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. If the theaters, festivals, and variety of restaurants in Richmond just aren’t enough for you sometimes then you can get a “culture” fix by heading north to Washington D.C. The restaurants, museums, and nightclubs of the nation’s capitol are all within an easy drive.