When we began our chief resident year in June of 2021, we knew that it would be one filled with learning and evolution, however none of us could have expected the degree of impact that it would have on us. It has been a year of professional and personal growth for us—from expanding our skills in conflict resolution, curriculum development, presentations (we have learned to make fancy figures!), to balancing trying to be “fun chiefs” with setting expectations. After leading procedure clinics, expanding quality improvement projects, teaching POCUS and board review, building detailed schedules, developing new tracks and pathways, and having another successful virtual recruitment season, the year has certainly flown by. Our only hope is that we were able to give as much back to the program as it gave to us in the form of teaching, leadership, and friendship. The mentoring (both giving and receiving) has been invaluable, and the opportunity to learn from the best is unparalleled. To Dr. Suneja, Dr. Smock, Dr. Harris, Dr. Johnson, Dr. Gehlbach, and Dr. Bryant, thank you for your endless coaching and leading by example. To Cindy, Denise, and Abbey, thank you for being the best program leadership and helping us with all of the hidden details that we never would have known and highlighting the importance of a strong team. And most importantly, thank you so much to all of the residents this year who have placed their trust in us, allowing us to grow and learn with and from you. We will always keep this experience close to our hearts as we move forward in our careers.

Sincerely,
Chief Residents, 2021–22
Desmond, Derek, Sydney, and Yana

Desmond Barber, MD; Sydney Bowmaster, MD; and Yana Zemkova, MD will all begin fellowships in Pulmonary Disease & Critical Care Medicine at University of Iowa Health Care. Derek Hupp, MD, will begin his new role as a Hospitalist at Gundersen Health in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, where he will expand his focus on quality and safety.