Mentoring and advising is a central feature of NYU's Primary Care Residency Program and is approached in a rigorous manner, both formally and informally. The "Big Sib" Program helps smooth each resident's transition into the new environment and the demands of residency. In this program, each incoming resident is matched up with a second- or third-year resident and a faculty member. Big Sibs participate in orientation and in a holiday grab bag, and they create a supportive and welcoming environment for all residents. Each year the program is highly rated at the annual Primary Care Retreat.
The faculty and residents consider the Primary Care Residency Program an intimate college within a large university. The group is small enough to allow faculty and residents to get to know each other well, through primary care blocks, conferences, and precepting. Each fall a series of career-crafting workshops is offered. All faculty welcome involvement in projects and provide career-counseling advice. Residents naturally gravitate to faculty with similar interests and are encouraged to meet as often as needed. The program directors meet annually with all residents for formal formative feedback sessions.
