| Vacation |
Residents receive 15 weekdays of vacation, split into 3 five-day periods. The Department of Medicine also may offer a holiday schedule in late December and early January, which would entail additional days off. |
| Meals |
Residents receive a meal card with $1600 preloaded to utilize in the UPMC Mercy Cafeteria and the 1847 Café. |
| Parking |
Residents receive free parking in the lot across from the Department of Emergency Medicine. In addition, the Department of Medicine will assist in offsetting parking fees incurred during off-site experiences. |
| Insurance |
Residents are provided with UPMC Advantage HMO health insurance (with basic dental and vision coverage). Enhanced dental and vision coverage is available for residents and their eligible dependents for an additional fee.
Residents are provided with Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, and Medical Malpractice insurance. For questions on this coverage please contact your Program Coordinator. |
| Education Expenses |
PGY2 and 3 residents are eligible for $1000/year in reimbursement for educational expenses, subject to content approval by the Program Director. Funds remaining from your PGY2 year may be rolled over to your PGY3 year. |
| Presentation and Conference Expenses |
Residents are encouraged to participate in external scholarly activity (e.g. presentation at a recognized medical conference of abstracts and posters pertaining to research). Travel expenses may be reimbursed up to $500 per presentation, pending approval by the Program Director. Receipts must be provided for reimbursement to occur. |
| Excused Absences |
Eligible excused absences include:
- Death of an immediate family member: 3 days, or as otherwise offered
- USMLE Step III Exam: 2 days (not eligible during Floor Medicine, Night, or CCM blocks)
- Maternity Leave: Per UPMC FMLA guidelines (not to exceed 6 weeks)
- Paternity Leave: 2 days
- Sickness: up to 5 days; a physician’s note may be required per hospital policies (beyond 5 total days, training may be extended, or the resident may utilize existing vacation time)
- Interviews: up to 4 days per PGY2 and PGY3 year, with approval; (not eligible during GIM, Night, or CCM blocks)
All planned excused absences require completion of the Excused Absence Form. Please submit this form with two months prior notice. |
| Unexcused Absences |
Unexcused absences are not permitted and are a violation of your UPMC contract. Proper notification of all absences is required and must include the chief resident, attending, the Department of Management, and the Mercy Health Center. The Department of Medicine may proceed with corrective action if this process is not followed. |
| Board Prep |
The Department of Medicine provides each incoming PGY2 resident with the newest version of the MKSAP. |
| Lab Coats |
Residents receive two lab coats at the start of their PGY1 year. One additional coat is provided upon resident request in the first three months of each additional year of training. |
| ScrubEx |
Residents will be provided with access to 2 pairs of scrubs. These scrubs are to be returned to the ScrubEx machine when soiled, at which point the resident will have access to a clean pair of scrubs. |
| Dress Code |
Business attire is expected, in addition to wearing your lab coat with your UPMC Mercy identification badge visible at all times. |
| UPMC Perks |
Special community discounts are available to UPMC employees. |
| Fitness Facility |
Residents may utilize the fitness area on the 5th floor of the Mercy Professional Office Building at no cost. Please contact your Program Coordinator to request a key. |
| Moonlighting |
Moonlighting is permitted only with approval by the Program Director – see Moonlighting Policy. |