For Current Residents and Fellows

Creating a community and resource for residents and fellow physicians is our goal in helping resident and fellow physicians thrive at UC Davis Health. Below includes a list of residents and fellow physicians' community groups current residents and fellows can participate in ranging from journal club, networking, mentorship, departmental sponsored clubs, and more. If you would like to establish a new group or learn how to get involved, reach out to Office of Medical Pathways at osrd@health.ucdavis.edu or Eva Lee at eclee@health.ucdavis.edu

Black Excellence Group (BRO)

Leads: Tanya Thomas M.D., Miquell Miller M.D., and Elise Fannon M.D.

Meets quarterly to support Black / African American residents and fellow physicians. Consists of a listserv of Black/African American identified residents/fellows and faculty. Join the BRO listserv by emailing BlackExcellence@groups.ucdavis.edu

Surgery Socially Responsible Journal Club

Leads: Rachel Ingrid Ekaireb M.D., Alyssa Bellini M.D., Priya Suri M.D., and Leah Timbang M.D. 

Socially Responsible Surgery (SRS) has the goal of improving surgical equity and patient outcomes. First conceived at Boston University and now expanding to UC Davis Health, SRS creates research and educational initiatives tailored to our unique community. UC Davis Medical Center treats a diverse group of patients, both rural and urban from Northern California and surrounding states. Admission to a surgical service is often the first point of care for many under- or uninsured patients in this large region. This offers exciting opportunities for residents and attendings to devise and implement cutting edge research and educational studies, while advocating for surgical equity in Northern California. To learn more, visit Socially Responsible Surgery

DICE: Doctors for Inclusion and Community Engagement

Resident lead(s): Thi Doan and Ana Martinez

Department: Internal Medicine

The mission of the UC Davis Internal Medicine Residency Program is to nurture and train physicians whose cultures, lived experiences, and perspectives reflect the breadth of our pluralistic nation, preparing them to become outstanding internists who will improve the health of their patients and communities.  The Doctors for Inclusion and Community Engagement (DICE) committee is a resident–led committee that upholds this mission by fostering an inclusive environment within our residency, our department, and across our institution.

Guiding Principles: 

• Advance efforts to ensure broad participation and an inclusive environment throughout the residency program.
• Inform policies, programs, and practices to better meet the needs of our heterogeneous and culturally rich community.
• Provide a network of support and mentorship for residents.
• Increase the belonging and inclusion of our residency program.
• Support resident wellness.

Meets: Monthly and AD HOC meetings

Residents can review information about DICE website. All residents are welcome and encouraged to join all DICE meetings and events. Meeting invites are sent via email. 

Resident Medical Staff Committee(RMSC)

The Resident Medical Staff Committee (RMSC) is comprised of representatives from every residency and fellowship training program at UC Davis. They meet once a month where representatives voice opinions on vital issues that impact patient care and the housestaff experience. To learn more visit Resident Medical Staff Committee

To establish your own resident/fellow interest group, connect with Eva Lee, Resident Recruitment and Engagement Specialist at eclee@health.ucdavis.edu on how to get started.

The Office of Medical Pathways is dedicated to recruiting and supporting residents and fellows from diverse backgrounds to better reflect on the
communities we serve. In partnership with the Office of Graduate Medical Education, we offer tailored services to UC Davis residency and fellowship
programs to enhance their recruitment and retention efforts.

Each department may request up to $300 per fiscal year, subject to funding availability.

Funding may be requested for:

• Recruitment events and programs aligned with the mission of the Office of Medical Pathways
• Networking opportunities with current medical students for residency
• Initiatives that connect residents and fellows with faculty programs to promote careers in academic medicine

Departments can submit a funding request using our form at bit.ly/osrdfund.

The Office of Medical Pathways is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment while actively supporting the development of a physician workforce that reflects the diversity of our communities. Our mission is to cultivate physicians who are well-equipped
to serve all populations, dedicated to reducing health disparities, and passionate about advancing health equity.

To support this mission, current residents and fellow physicians are eligible to apply for funding through the Office of Medical Pathways for resident-led events and programs that align with our goals and enhance the learning and professional development of trainees. Funding is
limited and awarded on a case-by-case basis.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be current resident or fellow physicians at the time of application and award (For faculty and staff applicants, events must be for residents related events)
• Events must align with the mission of the Office of Medical Pathways
• Events must be open to all current residents and fellow physicians
• Funding may be used for:
  • Food and beverages (no alcohol)
  • Travel related reimbursement for guest speakers
  • Event supplies and materials (including educational materials e.g., textbooks,
    literature)
• For resident-led group submissions, residents or fellows may request funding for up to two events per fiscal year, with a maximum of $300 per event, funding permitted

Items not eligible for reimbursement

• Honorariums
• Networking/social only events
• Past events prior to the submission of a funding request

Application Requirements

• Event name, date, location, time
• A business justification that includes the goal, objectives, anticipated outcomes, and
  alignment with the Office of Medical Pathways’ mission
• Estimated number of attendees and target audience
• Applications must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event for review and
  approval
• To submit an application with the details requested, visit form: bit.ly/osrdfund

Examples of Past Funded Activities and Materials

• Educational literature, journal articles, and textbooks
• Training awareness
• Discussions and forums on inclusive excellence related topics

The Office of Medical Pathways support residents and fellow physicians who have been accepted to attend or present at a conference that advances academic and community health with an emphasis on inclusive excellence. 

This funding is designed to encourage and elevate trainee contributions to the broader dialogue on equity, access, and innovation in healthcare.

Funding for U.S.-based, non-specialty conferences that align with the Office of Medical Pathways mission is available as a reimbursement, up to $500 per person, per academic year, subject to availability. Trainees must secure their own time off. Additional funds may be considered for recruitment efforts.

• Amount: Up to $500 per person, per academic year (subject to availability).
• Format: Reimbursement only.
• Eligible conferences: U.S.-based, local, regional, or national conferences that align with the Medical Pathways mission. Specialty specific conferences are not eligible.
• Exceptions: Additional funding may be considered for trainees involved in recruitment for the School of Medicine.
• Note: Trainees are responsible for securing approval for time off; the Office of Medical Pathways cannot excuse clinical or work duties.

Reimbursable Travel Costs

• Conference registration fees
• Lodging
• Transportation, including airfare/ mileage, and ground transportation between event locations
• Meals and incidentals, up to $92 per day, per person
• Expenses may include up to one day before and one day after the
  event

Examples of eligible topics include, but are not limited to:

• Research addressing health disparities in underserved populations
• Community-based participatory research initiatives
• Equity-focused medical education or curriculum development
• Inclusive clinical practices and culturally responsive care
• Pathway programs and workforce shortages in medicine

Trainees may submit an application at bit.ly/osrdfund.

For questions or to determine if your travel qualifies, contact Eva Lee, Resident Recruitment and Engagement Specialist, at eclee@health.ucdavis.edu.

Inclusive excellence in medicine is an area we deeply care about as we recognize the importance of representation in helping vulnerable communities. Which is why we welcome residents’ participation throughout the year in different aspects of recruiting and engagement with the local community and future physicians. Residents have opportunities throughout the year to volunteer to support the next generation of physicians by serving on career panels, provide tips and strategies at networking events, and participate at outreach and recruiting events to share about their experience. 

If you are interested in sharing about  your academic, career, and personal journey with the future physicians. Check out the HEALTH Equity Academy. 

Residents and fellows who experiences instances of bias can anonymously report their concerns in the MedHub system directly to the Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education or to their Program Director. Instructions to anonymously report are available here.

Since its establishment in 2012, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has provided renewable, two-year term legal protections and other benefits for recipients from undocumented backgrounds, allowing them the opportunity to pursue higher education in the United States without fear of deportation. DACA was rescinded by the White House on September 5, 2017; the future of DACA is currently being decided in the US court system. In the meantime, UC Davis residency and fellowship programs will continue to consider all eligible applicants, including those with DACA status. Individuals with DACA status have contributed greatly to the education, research, and patient care activities of the University of California and have enriched the diversity of our training programs. The UC Davis Health Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC) and the Office of Medical Pathways will continue to support students, residents, and fellows with DACA status in achieving their goal of becoming America Board of Medical Specialties certified physicians.

We are grateful for the leadership of UC President Napolitano and UC Davis Chancellor May in championing the rights of those with DACA status.

For more information, please see the additional resources below:

Health Equity by Design for Inclusive Excellence

UC Davis AB540 and Undocumented Student Center

University of California - Information on Immigration