Welcoming the interns to Iowa

Though today, July 1, is the first day of the new academic year and the first day that the newest class of interns to join our residency program are officially on the job, they have spent the last week getting ready for “Day One.”

Their first morning started early with a breakfast orientation. Program Director and Vice Chair for Education Manish Suneja, MD, began the day with a welcome for the new physicians. He encouraged them to ask lots of questions, to trust their seniors and their nurses, and most important, he said, to embrace opportunities to learn without expecting instant perfection.

He then introduced the program leadership who were there to provide that support and instruction. Each assistant and associate program director spoke briefly with a few personal details about family or a helpful tip for navigating residency. Abbey Gilpin, program administrator, and Stacey Sueppel, program coordinator, each introduced themselves as well.

The Chief Residents also said a few words before inviting each of the assembled interns to go around the room and say a bit about themselves, where they were from and their specialty interest.

The ice was broken and the day’s agenda of procedures and policies was underway.

After a day of “if this, then that resource,” everyone was ready to unwind. Everyone, including partners, family, and friends, reconvened at Field Day Brewing Co., a local microbrew and restaurant in neighboring North Liberty. A buffet of small plate options and desserts was kept stocked while guests could take advantage of craft beers and duckpin bowling.

Over the course of a couple hours, new bonds were formed and old bonds solidified. And another new year was kicked off.