Although residency requires a great deal of time to be spent in the hospital, at Elmhurst we take pride in the close-knit, supportive community that becomes family for most residents.
Our residency program at Elmhurst is proudly an all-International Medical Graduate program. We have recent residents from more than 20 countries, including Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, India, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Russia, the United States, Uzbekistan, and Venezuela.
Within the hospital, attendings, residents, and support staff share multiple activities, including mock codes, wellness activities like narrative medicine and mindful meditation, and educational time.
Outside the hospital, our Queens location offers unlimited activities. The hospital is close to three subway stations with access to different local and express lines—you can be in Midtown Manhattan in less than 20 minutes. Our wellness team including attendings is always on the lookout for fun activities like concerts, marathons and half-marathons, visits to museums, picnics, bike rides, rock climbing, and hikes.
Wellness
Christina Cuccia, MD
Wellness Champion
Our Resident Wellness Champion works closely with the chiefs and the department to organize various activities both during and after the workday. The activities focus on promoting bonding/ team building, wellness, and prevention of burnout.
Residency can be a difficult and challenging time. At Elmhurst Pediatrics, we understand the importance of balancing a healthy personal and professional life. Our goal is to empower residents with the tools they need to be resilient and well throughout their training. At Elmhurst, we have an entire wellness curriculum with themed lectures that are integrated into our didactics, as well as monthly wellness events. We have an annual Wellness Competition between residents that encourages residents to participate in wellness activities for points.
Wellness curriculum includes:
- Narrative medicine sessions
- Mindfulness series
- Multicultural fairs
- Group outdoor activities
- Fun team-building activities
Benefits and Housing
Every year each resident has four total weeks of vacation, divided into two two-week blocks.
House officers receive health coverage through Mount Sinai, and cost sharing is available if you desire family coverage. Additional benefits offered at Mount Sinai include:
- Dental coverage
- Prescription drug plan
- Vision plan
- Short- and long-term disability, workers' compensation, life insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance
- Dependent care and tax-sheltered annuity plans
- Malpractice insurance
In addition, residents are part of the Committee of Interns and Residents and receive benefits including yearly education funds.
Housing around the hospital is affordable. Our residents usually live in the Queens neighborhoods of Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Woodside, Sunnyside, Rego Park, Long Island City, Astoria, or Forest Hills. Most people commute to work by public transportation or are within walking/biking distance.
