Fitness for Duty/Wellness

At Upstate Medical University, we believe in ensuring our Fellows are well-supported throughout their time with us. We strive to foster an environment with open lines of communication should a Fellow need to step back for fatigue. If you are facing health challenges, use the following guidelines to ensure your fellow peers and Program leaders are aware of your situation so they better know how to proceed.

We recognize the challenges of our profession and further appreciate the rigors of post-graduate training. While we have designed the program to foster work-life balance, we know there will be ups and downs and, thus, encourage you to reach out to those you trust (family, friends, peers, program leadership, etc.) in addition to utilizing the following tools to help promote both resilience and wellness:

The Resident and Fellow Counseling Service (RFCS):

This service is free-standing and private. The providers are not part of Upstate and do not use Epic. The first three of the four components of this service are now available, and we will let you know when the final component is in place.

  1. CNYMIPS (607-547-3244 or clinicianpeertopeer@bassett.org). This is a peer support program that will help anyone in the healthcare profession by connecting them with a Trained peer supporter of a similar job title (resident to resident) at a different institution to maintain anonymity. This is meant to be a one-session Peer Support interaction, and the Peer supporters have additional references to offer to the person if they need more help.
  2. Contact Crisis Hotline (315-218-1962). If you require immediate assistance, you can call this number any time, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
  3. Counseling Services (315-491-3676). This number (by phone or text) will allow you to schedule an appointment with a licensed mental health provider at Psychological HealthCare (not part of Upstate). This is a concierge-type service. This practice has agreed to work with Upstate residents and fellows and whatever insurance they have, and to set up an appointment with a single call or text.
  4. Mental Health Medication Management. Psychological HealthCare at (315) 491-3676 also will serve as an initial contact for facilitating psychiatric medication management when needed.
  5. Screening and Prevention. Online tool for screening for and prevention of suicide and substance abuse. (Coming soon!)