i'm a bit of a cynic..

dh's "celebratory dinners" during residency were jokes. it was not a close knit group, nor a "fun" group of attendings (think uber-nerds w/o the sense of humor). It just doesn't seem like Path is a partying group of peeps - which is okay w/me. As Tara said, IMO they spend enough of their time together.

[Vishenka69]

DH's program never had any sort of celebratory dinners or at least none that I know about. He'll often not tell me if he doesn't want to go to something. At the very beginning the program director had a barbeque in her back yard, which was the only time I met other residents, attendings and their SO's. Most of the residents don't even attend the Holiday Parties, as the hospital makes them pay for bringing a date.

[houseelf]

This surprises me. Our annual Holiday and Chief dinners are over the top fancy. The take place at a country club or at the top floor of a major landmark building and come with ice sculptures, silver candelabras, valet parking, open bars, and waiters plying us with champagne. My thought is why the hell can't some of these funds be used to increase salaries?

Kelly

[SuzySunshine]

Ours are very similar to Kelly's. The residency dinner is held at a private home that used to be a Mayo family home. Its really more for the residents than the department, last year I would guess there were 4/10 attendings present and almost all residents and their spouses. I actually enjoy going because it gives me a chance to see some of the wives that I don't see very regularly. Most of them don't work so they see each other quite often. They tell stories, make fun of the attendings, give awards, etc.

Our holiday party is also held at the local country club, again a very poor showing by the attendings but it is for the full department so a lot of the nurses, PAs, etc. are also present. One of the residents always has a pre-party which we actually spend more time at then the actual holiday party.

[DCJenn]

During residency in San Antonio, the peds dept had great parties- of course I was on the planning committee after the first (disastrous) Holiday Party. Once I got on board with some other fun people we had great meals at really nice places.

Fellowship has been another story entirely. There has been one graduation dinner. It wasn't that it wasn't nice, it was just obvious that they tried to jam too many people into one room. That and they had everyone sitting at long tables which makes conversation nearly impossible.

This year we have the promotion ceremony in two weeks and then we have graduation/dinner so I'll be curious to see what happens.

Jenn

The internal medicine Christmas party that DH's department had was pretty nice.

Here they have an annual banquet -- I don't go because it is $45 a plate and just not worth the money or a babysitter. I think this means I am not a "team player". They do a slideshow that is funny for the residents and faculty. DH has a good time. The Christmas party isn't too bad either -- I do go to that. Hmmm, I complained a lot about that party. It isn't too bad in retrospect, perhaps.

I don't get the retreats and such. Don't they spend enough time together already?

Bring your own desserts and we will provide soft drinks? Wow, that is really bad!

[alison]

Dh's holiday party was held at a brewery on a really snowy evening. The department rented out the whole thing. We don't drink, but the atmosphere was pretty cool with the snow piling up outside the huge windows. Spouses were invited and I kept telling dh that there was not enough food for it being an open bar. There were some appetizers, but nothing else. That is of course, until we decided to leave after an hour or so, and saw the buffet line on our way out with lots of yummy looking things... We couldn't really take off our coats and join the buffet line.

DH isn't really a "joiner", so I've been spared some of these events because he's chosen not to go, though truth be told I'd probably end up enjoying myself. He enjoyes his reputation of being aloof and untouchable, does wonders for his ego

They don't have a retreat, but have this event each year where they give silly awards and do skits before going out to a bar. Reminds me of camp, well except for the bar part. Spouses and others aren't involved, but I get the lowdown when he gets home. He got the "Lance Armstrong Award" last year because he bikes to work everyday.

[Vanquisher]

There are basically four "events" each year that the residents attend.

There is a holiday party. Unless you are on call, you pretty much have to go - spouses too. This is at the chairman's house. Appetizers and wine. No children.

There are night before interview things. Spouses can attend, but I never have. No children. There are two of these. All residents are required to attend. They even have a rotating resident cover call these nights.

Then there is the graduation dinner. Pretty much required unless you are on call - spouses too. This is at a club in a hotel downtown. Dinner. Some people wear formal attire, but I usually wear a skirt. No children allowed. The graduating residents rost the attendings, and the attendings roast them. Awards are handed out. None of these awards go to peon junior residents.

Then the residents have journal club once a month at a nice restaurant. Spouses are not invited. A drug rep usually pays for the dinner, and everyone presents an article of some type.

In July there is a Lake House party, but we have never gone. I'm not going to be the only cow in a bathing suit. All the other spouses are rail thin - tiny, super, super tiny. I could kill them.

Occassionally they have poker night. Dh has never gone because I haven't been "invited" per se, and he sees them more than he sees me. No, that's okay. We have had a few residents and spouses over to our house for BBQ's and such.

I hate residency.

[Tenacious_D]

No children.

Why don't they ever have things with kids. I hate this whole idea of excluding the family that sacrifices for the doctor. It sounds like the un-happily married people and single folks are planning all these events . Not looking forward to more awkward social gatherings...when will they end....retirement?

[migirl]

DH's department is actually pretty close (fairly small-ish, maybe that's why?) and they have several nice dinners over the course of the year for various reasons (holiday party, chief's dinner, etc.). We always enjoy going and have a good time, partly because we do happen to like the other residents (and most of the faculty) and their respective spouses.