Fortify Resilience Initiative
The Fortified Resilience Initiative is a HRSA funded institutional initiative at UTRGV SOM to build and sustain a culture of wellbeing for medical residents and fellows (R/Fs). The FRI helps R/Fs maintain wellbeing by addressing key issues of personal health throughout their graduate medical education. The FRI currently provides support to over 250 R/Fs across 19 residential programs. R/Fs who opt into the FRI receive well-being resources, direct counseling support for mental health needs, and targeted feedback to build sustainable practices for personal wellbeing. Access to mental health services are designed with low-barriers. Physicians typically avoid seeking mental health care due to stigma and its potential to disrupt their future career prospects. We are able to provide low-barrier, confidential support through Tend Health. The FRI is implemented through three key measures to address the issues of resident health and wellness: Access Strategy, Empowerment Initiatives, and System Redesign.
Access Strategy
Tend Health Partnership
Tend Health is an innovative company that specializes in the care and wellbeing of health professionals. Through partnership with Tend Health, the FRI provides R/Fs with flexible access to one-on-one counseling and coaching by licensed mental health practitioners. Tend Health also facilitates live online skills training monthly and an opt-out annual wellness consultations. With medical integrated medication support, these services are delivered by psychologists and psychiatrists with extensive experience in healthcare delivery settings. Click HERE to view more of Tend Health’s service offerings, or HERE to meet Tend Health providers assigned to Texas.
Empowerment Initiatives
Fortify Resilience Mobile Application
Medical residents enrolled in the FRI have free access to Fortify Resilience, UTRGV SOM’s proprietary wellness mobile application. Available on Android and iOS systems, Fortify Resilience helps students anonymously assess their overall wellbeing at their own convenience, receive evidence-based recommendations, contact a wellness professional through Tend Health, set personal goals, and track their progress throughout the duration of their residency. students also have access to self-management tools and strategies to respond to significant stressors, such as burnout. Click HERE to download Fortify Resilience, or search “UTRGV Fortify Resilience” in the Google Play Store or Apple Store.
Wellbeing Champion Toolkit
FRI coordinators have developed the Wellbeing Champion Toolkit (WCT), which is a manual entitled Promoting wellbeing and preventing illbeing within program committees: A team-based toolkit for wellbeing champions. This is the foundation of several hour-long workshops provided through the FRI to supported residency programs, where attendees acquire and practice team-based skills for wellbeing and overall health. Additional consultations and feedback through the WCT help form Program Specific Wellness Committees (PSWCs) and aid in setting goals and identifying key issues.
Program Specific Wellness Committees (PSWCs)
Program Specific Wellness Committees (PSWCs) are resident-led, faculty involved teams dedicated to providing wellness support to aspiring physicians at FRI programs. By participating in PSWC activities, residents are empowered to take ownership of their climate and practice principles of shared governance with faculty. Each residency program under the FRI has its own PSWC to provide in-depth focus on the specific needs of medical residents on an individual basis. Contact your residency program coordinator to learn more about the PSWC at your program.
System Redesign
Master Trainer Faculty Development
Through consultation with Tend Health provided at the institutional level, the Master Trainer Faculty Development (MTFD) track is implemented to train a cohort of up to 20 selected SOM faculty and staff to full competency in addressing the needs and issues of resident health and wellness. Tend Health facilitates the MTFD training, with expert psychologists and wellness experts leading faculty through a four-phase training process over the duration of two years of continuous development. In coordination with the Office of Faculty Affairs, Clinical Chairs, and each program leadership, MTFD coordinators will introduce and improve additional training pathways for future cohorts.
If you are a UTRGV medical resident or fellow and are interested in the FRI, please contact 956-362-3520 or email tanya.eychner@utrgv.onmicrosoft.com for more information.
For consultation services and additional information, please contact: