UF College of Medicine enhances trainee experience with robust support services
Residents and fellows have access to facilities, tools and services to enrich their experience
Martina Murphy, M.D.
July 10, 2025 — Starting residency or fellowship is a powerful milestone filled with anticipation, responsibility and long hours. Faculty and peers at the University of Florida College of Medicine recognize that while medical residents are eager to begin leading the care for their patients when they embark on their training each July, their well-being matters just as much as the well-being of the patients they serve.
The Office of Graduate Medical Education plays a key role in supporting residents and fellows throughout every stage of their training, said Martina Murphy, M.D., the senior associate dean for graduate medical education. From onboarding and comprehensive benefits to wellness resources and career development, the GME team is committed to helping trainees navigate the demands of residency and fellowship. The graduate medical education office at UF Medicine aims to create an environment where every resident and fellow feels supported to grow both personally and professionally.
“One of our core missions in GME is to create a culture where every resident and fellow feels supported, valued, and cared for,” Murphy said. “As they help lead the way in caring for patients, we’re redefining what it means for an institution to care for them.”
Below, read about a handful of the resources available to UF College of Medicine residents and fellows:
The UF Housestaff Wellness Center is available for free use 24/7 by trainees.
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Housestaff Wellness Center: Trainees have free, 24/7 access to a new wellness center, equipped with cardio and strength training equipment, as well as an indoor track, which recently opened in the North Tower at UF Health Shands Hospital.
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Housestaff lounges: Multiple locations at UF Health Shands Hospital and other clinical sites are open to housestaff 24/7, with access to free snacks and beverages.
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GYN for GME clinic: To help ensure trainees are receiving the health care services they need, a gynecology clinic created specifically for residents and fellows is available on a periodic basis. The clinic provides contraception counseling, pap smears, IUD insertions, pregnancy testing and more, all in a private setting staffed by faculty physicians and coordinated on days and times that accommodate the busy schedules of trainees. Due to the clinic’s success, the GME team is exploring launching clinics for other specialties.
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PEDS for GME clinic: To help ensure housestaff’s children have access to the care they need, a pediatric clinic created specifically for residents and fellows is now available on select weekday evenings. The clinic offers routine well-child visits, adolescent care and immunizations in a convenient location and at times that accommodate the demanding schedules of trainees. This initiative reflects GME’s ongoing commitment to supporting housestaff and their families.
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GatorBites: A food voucher program, funded by UF Health, provides housestaff with an allowance to access food, at several vendor locations throughout the hospital, in hospital cafeterias, Opus coffee shops locations and restaurants located within UF Health Shands Hospital and the Sun Terrace.
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Professional development: Housestaff have the opportunity to develop leadership skills and collaborate with peers through participation in various committees, such as the Housestaff Quality and Patient Safety Committee and the Housestaff General Council. These provide valuable opportunities for housestaff to engage with one another and senior leadership, advocate for change and contribute to the continuous improvement of
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Social events: The GME office organizes various events and initiatives aimed at fostering a supportive and engaging environment for housestaff. These include the Housestaff Annual/Biannual Mixer, Thank a Resident and Fellow Week, and fun social gatherings like a New Year celebration and Trivia Night. These events help build camaraderie and create opportunities for informal networking among housestaff.
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GatorPerks: This discount program offers exclusive discounts to UF faculty and staff for a variety of needs. These include restaurant discounts, savings on shopping and services and more. With proof of a residency offer letter, trainees can even receive discounted Gator football tickets.
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Child care: The UF Early Childhood Collaboratory at Baby Gator has three centers on campus that serve infants ages 6 weeks to 5 years old, including a center adjacent to UF Health Shands Hospital.
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Lactation spaces: Private rooms for trainees who are nursing are available for use throughout the hospital campus.
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Employee Assistance Program: This program supports UF employees by providing a safe space and quality mental health and wellness resources.
