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Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
McGaw McGaw

Wellness

Providing care to patients begins with caring for oneself. Graduate medical training often requires rigorous work that can be draining and stressful. A key component of your success will be maintaining good health during training. Our team at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University understands and wants to help prepare trainees for continued success and health.

You may need a new personal physician or mental health provider when you start training. Even if you have no medical problems, we strongly encourage you to make an appointment with a primary care provider. Search our resources by type of care below.

 Emotional / Mental Health

If you have been treated in the past for emotional or mental health issues, it’s especially important for you to continue treatment during training. This brief behavioral health screening is completely anonymous and confidential, and immediately following the brief questionnaire you will see your results, recommendations and key resources.

Because McGaw is committed to helping make mental healthcare accessible for trainees, we offer two pathways toward support and care:  

  • For acute or urgent issues, trainees should utilize Perspectives for counseling available 24 hours a day. Call or text 800-456-6327.
  • For establishing ongoing care with a mental health professional, trainees should utilize McGaw’s Wellness Program with our partners at Meridian Psychiatric Partners. The wellness coordinator will respond to your email or call within 48 hours, discuss your needs and help establish either short- or longer-term care with an appropriate provider: mcgawwellness@meridianproviders.com | 312-477-2109

Likewise, the Department of Health and Human Services offers The Lifeline; free and confidential support services for talk, text and chat assistance for those seeking immediate 24/7 emotional support. Anyone can access via phone by dialing 988, texting 988 or by online chat.

As a reminder, McGaw trainees are allowed to attend medical appointments during weekday clinical and educational hours. Trainees must inform their program director in a timely fashion if they will be away to attend a medical appointment.

 Physical Health

Physical wellness – including fitness, nutrition and proper rest – encourages the balance, energy and stress reduction. The following programs, services, resources and reading materials can help you achieve your personal fitness, nutritional and overall health goals.

Rest, Health & Wellness

  • Your lives as trainees are busy and complicated. While this is an exciting time, as physicians-in-training you are vulnerable to mood disorders, anxiety and substance abuse problems, which can derail professional development and personal fulfillment. Please review this slide set to learn more about the signs of burnout, depression and substance abuse.
  • Osher Center for Integrative Medicine
    Optimize your health with a customized health and wellness plan and support.
  • Because those in-training can face challenges in their pursuit of good quality sleep on a consistent basis, you will find an educational session on sleep health for trainees “Sleep and Circadian Health: Residency and Beyond” by Phyllis Zee, MD, PhD. The recording is available online to all McGaw housestaff (NU NetID credentials required for login).
  • NMH Nap Rooms
    Napping rooms are located on the 4th and 6th floors of Feinberg (Door Code-67430).

Fitness

 Substance Use

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