Resident and Fellow Bucket List Challenge builds connection to Gainesville
Medical Alumni Affairs team encourages residents and fellows to participate in group activities to explore area
Aug. 9, 2022 — Attending a Gator gymnastics meet, painting the 34th Street Wall and enjoying Satchel’s pizza and live music are a few activities University of Florida College of Medicine residents and fellows can check off their Gainesville bucket list and possibly earn a prize.
The college’s Office of Medical Alumni Affairs poses a challenge: check off at least 10 items from its bucket list within two years and receive a free UF Health fleece jacket. The list offers 48 opportunities to explore Gainesville and encourages residents and fellows to connect with the place they will call home throughout their training.
“We started the Resident and Fellow Bucket List Challenge for several reasons; one was to connect current residents and fellows and their families with the UF culture and Gainesville area, and the other was to provide fun opportunities to build camaraderie with their department outside of the hospital,” said Heather Holcomb, senior director of alumni affairs at the College of Medicine. “It’s also a great way to de-stress.”
First-year family medicine resident Grace Benmhend, M.D., visited an Orlando theme park, took a trip to St. Augustine, explored Paynes Prairie and snorkeled at Devil’s Den. She has completed 10 tasks and loves her jacket.
“I think the challenge is very beneficial to help residents prioritize having fun and appreciate their locale,” Benmhend said. “The challenge definitely motivated me to try new things around Gainesville.”
Rushi Patel, M.D., first-year internal medicine resident, said he was unsure how he’d spend his free time after relocating to Gainesville from a large city like Atlanta, but the challenge acquainted him and his friends with their new home. He’s completed six bucket list items so far and plans to cross off more.
“This challenge showed me that Gainesville has so much more to explore, and I doubt I’ll be able to hit all the spots in my three years here, but I’ll try,” Patel said.
Participants can share their completed tasks by posting their photos as public on their Facebook pages using #UFMedBucketList and tagging @UFDrGator or emailing photos to drgator@health.ufl.edu.
