UT San Antonio

Wellness


Resident wellness is a top priority for our program — it’s built into how we train and the culture we cultivate. Our Wellness Committee, made up of faculty and residents working side by side, develops the resources, activities, and support systems that help our residents flourish, both personally and professionally, throughout training.

Wellness Initiatives

  • Annual Dr. Deborah Mueller Leadership Retreat
  • Sponsored attendance for PGY3 class to American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress
  • Van to Vote initiative
  • Call room supplies (toiletries, improved mattresses)
  • Resident Mentorship Groups
  • Resident Life Fund: offers financial support during major life event

Community Building

  • Incoming PGY1 Welcome Picnic
  • Fall Chili Cookoff
  • Resident Holiday Party and Faculty Cookie Exchange
  • Spring Chicken N Pickle Social/Tournament
  • Aust Society Resident Appreciation Party
  • Aust Society Chief Resident Graduation Banquet
  • Tickets to shows, plays, and performances in town

Dedicated Wellness & Leadership Lectures

Five dedicated sessions are held each academic year. Prior topics include:

  • Empathy
  • Mindfulness and Meditation
  • Gratitude in Leadership
  • Residents as Teachers
  • Supporting a Peer through Burnout
  • Creating a Culture of Psychological Safety

Stress Assessment

  • Wellness Needs Assessment

Identifying High-Risk Residents

  • Transition To Residency Risk Index (TRRI) for new residents
  • Anonymous Stress, Depression, and Burnout Assessment – a secure, easy way to learn whether stress, depression, or burnout is affecting you for all residents
  • Circle of Care appointments with GME wellness counselors

Resources for Help and Support

  • Dr. Cari Calvo-Strube – APD for Wellness
  • GME wellness team: gmewellness@uthscsa.edu​
  • If you are in crisis and need immediate help, please know there are resources available to you:​

           988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org​

           University Hospital Emergency Center, 210-743-0024​

           Deer Oak Employee Assistance Program, 1-866-EAP-2400

2026-2027 Wellness Committee

  • Jason Kempenich, M.D. – General Surgery, Program Director
  • Ashley McGinity, M.D. – Trauma, APD
  • Danielle Fritze, M.D. – Transplant, APD
  • Cari Calvo-Strube, M.D. – Surgical Oncology, APD for Wellness
  • Ross Willis, Ph.D. – Director of Surgical Education
  • Suruthi Baskaran, MD – PGY3
  • Shreyas Bellur, MD – PGY3
  • Monica Martinez, MD – PGY3
  • Tyler Chappel, MD – PGY4
  • Shamsher Pasha, MD – PGY4
  • Maddie Silva, MD – PGY4
  • Aysel Al Issa, MD – PGY5
  • Angie Atkinson, MD – PGY5
  • Grant Gershner, M.D. – Research
  • Vika Guloyan, MD – PGY5
  • Sam Murphy, MD – PGY5
  • Mykaela Watt, MD – Research