Pilot program matching physicians for lunch, discussion continues through March 27

A pilot program to match physicians who are free for lunch at the same time is underway.

The program is an initiative focused on improving physician wellness and building a sense of community and collegiality.

Given the nature of clinical and hospital work, many physicians’ immediate colleagues are not available to eat lunch at the same time, and oftentimes a physician may end up eating alone when he or she would prefer not to. The new program is designed to provide an opportunity for physicians to sit down and eat with other physicians who happen to be free for lunch at the same time.  

The program will sponsor a community table designated for participants in the VUH Physicians Lounge every Friday  through March 27, from noon to 1 p.m. Lunch is not provided, but feel free to bring your own or pick something up at the cafeteria on your way in. On each of those Fridays, a designated volunteer physician host/hostess will welcome people to the table and facilitate conversation. Among those already scheduled are Reid Thompson, MD, chair of Neurological Surgery, and Mary Yarbrough, MD, MPH, executive director of Vanderbilt’s Faculty/Staff Health and Wellness Programs.  

If the three-month pilot is a success, the plan would be to have this community table available all the time, perhaps eventually not requiring a host/hostess. 

For more information, contact ana.e.nobis.1@vumc.org.