Resident Affairs Office

The resident affairs office works to ensure the success of learners by promoting wellness and resilience and by helping address issues of concern in their professional and person lives.  There is a resident affairs director at each campus that can assist and direct learners in finding appropriate supports.

• Dr. John Miller, Hamilton Campus
• Dr. Kathleen Nolan, Waterloo Regional Campus
• Dr. Adrian Jaffery, Niagara Regional Campus

Mental Health & Wellness Supports

• Lisa Giles, Wellness Counselor, Hamilton Campus is a registered psychotherapist who provides free counselling services to all trainees.
• Dr. Tom Ruttan, Psychologist, Waterloo Regional Campus provides counselling services to trainees based at the Waterloo Regional Campus.
• HHS Employee Assistance Program (through Lifeworks)  is a full-service, confidential, bilingual employee assistance program for learners and their families, offering counselling and connection with wellness resources. Toll free phone number: 1-888-521-8300
• SHINE Wellness is a HHS initiative that offers wellness workshops, fitness classes, and more to HHS employees (including trainees), and runs the fitness/wellness centres in each hospital. (Access to the SHINE website is available through Citrix)

Professionalism & Equity Supports

• Robin Edwards, Professionalism Adviser, Faculty of Health Sciences can offer confidential assistance on issues of professionalism, harassment, and intimidation.
• McMaster Equity & Inclusion Office provides guidance and assistance with issues related to harassment and intimidation.
• Student Accessibility Services SAS offers support services to learners with disabilities, including chronic health, psychological, neurological, ADD/ADHD, learning, sensory, and mobility disabilities.
• Meaghan Ross, Consultant on Sexual Violence Pre Response Coordinator, offers support and information to survivors of sexual, intimate partner, or family violence. The Sexual Violence Response Protocol is available as well.

• Professional Association of Residents of Ontario (PARO) is the official representative voice for Ontario’s doctors in training, with the mandate of advocating on behalf of its members and optimizing the training and working experience of trainees. 24/7 confidential helpline: 1-866-HELP-DOC (1-866-435-7362) for emergency or urgent matters, as well as for referral to resources on a variety of issues. Resource to note:
  • PARO Career Counselling Handbook: career tips and resources

• OMA Physician Health Program (OMA-PHP) provides confidential advice, preliminary assessment, intervention coordination, and referral for counselling and clinical services to trainees and their family members. They will assist with issues such as stress, burnout, marital and family issues, substance abuse or dependency, conduct or behavioural problems, sexual boundary issues, gambling, and mental health. Confidential helpline (M-F 8:45am-5:00pm): 1-800-851-6606. Resource to note:
  • Fundamentals of Civility: OMA Physician Health Program series

• Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) provides information and resources regarding medico-legal concerns. Resources to note:
  • CMPA Article – When Physicians Feel Bullied – Effective Coping Strategies
  • CMPA resources and articles related to medical-legal issues

• Resident Doctors of Canada (RDoC) is a not-for-profit organization representing over 10,000 resident doctors across Canada and providing a unified, national voice for its members. Resources to note:
  • RDoC – Discrimination and Harassment Prevention: variety of resources and a position paper
  • RDoC Career Planning Page: career resources and resident profiles

For current learners requiring further wellness information, please visit MedPortal