From classroom to clinic

Support for residents and fellows

There are currently 744 UF College of Medicine residents and fellows treating patients under the supervision of faculty physicians at UF Health Shands. Each July brings a new batch of freshly minted physicians, who will spend three to seven years training in the medical field.

Known as hospital housestaff, these physicians receive a stipend from the government and are supported by UF’s Graduate Medical Education program. Residents begin work at a hospital after graduation from medical school. Fellows are physicians who completed their residency and are pursuing a specialty.

The UF Graduate Medical Education office supports residents and fellows while they continue their education. The housestaff affairs office conducts orientation, manages complaints, offers free counseling and ensures housestaff have a positive, successful residency or fellowship.

“Residents and fellows are in extremely high-pressure situations,” said Cristin Owens, UF GME housestaff affairs manager. “We’re here to help them through the challenges they face.”

The program is governed by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. UF’s GME office is also responsible for evaluating and advancing the housestaff’s education. Yearly evaluations ensure accreditation standards for residents and fellows are met.

“We’re advocates for housestaff — they can turn to us if something is wrong, whether it’s their work or personal life that’s causing the problem,” Owens said. “It’s our job to open the lines of communication and be their support system.”

To learn more about resources for residents and fellows, visit gme.med.ufl.edu.