Resident Complaints and Concerns
SUNY Downstate residents have several avenues of communication to identify problems related to their work environment or issues related to the program or faculty without fear of intimidation or retaliation.
Residents are expected to address complaints and grievances to their Program Director and/or department chair. However, if this fails to resolve the issue, or if the resident does not wish to discuss the matter within the program, the resident may directly and confidentially contact the Associate Dean/DIO who serves as Ombudsman for GME. Residents are assured that nothing can be communicated about what they say to the Ombudsman without their express permission. Referrals as well as problem solving interventions are provided in strict confidence. Residents can reach the ombudsman by phone, email or in person as is needed.
Program Level
Chief Resident
In most programs, Chief Residents serve effectively as liaisons advocating on behalf
of their residents and students.
Faculty Advisor or Mentor
Many programs assign residents to faculty advisors or mentors. This concerned faculty
members assist residents with issues related to performance in the program and often
provide career guidance and help with both professional and personal concerns. In
addition, many residents develop informal mentoring relationships with faculty, and
these faculty can be a very helpful resource.
Program Director
Program Directors along with their Associate Program Directors are charged with the
responsibility of looking after the welfare of their residents and assuring an appropriate
environment for training and patient care. Program Directors are the principal advocate
for residents are should be consulted for any areas of concern.
Resident Review of Program and Faculty
Programs are required to provide residents with at least an annual opportunity to
review and evaluate their educational program and their faculty anonymously in writing.
Departmental Level
Educational Committee
Each Department has established a committee to address program outcomes, resident
concerns and/or resident performance. They are sometimes referred to as Resident Councils,
Housestaff Affairs, or similar names. Residents can raise concerns to their department’s
education committee or to peer elected representatives who sit on this committee.
Each department has policies which describe the process and role of the Education
Committee.
Department Chairperson
The Chairperson of each Department has responsibility for oversight of the conduct,
quality and outcomes of all its training programs and clinical services. Chairs are
very concerned, dedicated and potent advocates for students, residents and, of course,
patients.
GME Level
To raise issues regarding your education, work environment or patient safety, any
type of harassment, or any other interactions that may impact your ability to flourish
and develop into the best possible doctor, the GME Office is available as a resource
to hear your concerns in complete confidence.
GME training in Downstate's programs should be a positive experience. To facilitate
that, there are multiple options for addressing issues that concern you. Beginning
within your program and its division/department, you can contact your Chief Residents,
Faculty Mentors, Attendings, Program Director, Section Chief and Chairperson. However,
if the needs arises, you can also address your concerns to the GME Office by speaking
to us in person, calling or contacting us by email (The GME Resident Ombudsman is
Dr. Helen Valsamis). Confidential comments regarding issues or concerns pertaining
to SUNY Downstate's GME programs, faculty and the clinical and educational settings
can be sent to GMEHelp@downstate.edu. Comments will be reviewed and addressed appropriately by the D.I.O./Associate Dean
for GME. The GME office will assure that your comments remain anonymous as requested.
However, please provide a valid email address or other contact information if you
would like a response or in case we need to obtain additional information.
If you prefer, you can send email from an anonymous universal Gmail account that has been created to assure that your anonymity is fully protected. The username is Downstate.gmecomplaint@gmail.com and the password is resident (all lower case). Send to GMEHelp@downstate.edu
We care about you, and we strive to provide you with an excellent training experience. If you need us, contact GMEHelp@downstate.edu or call x-1984, or come by the GME Office.
GME Office Staff: Many issues can be addressed by the GME Office staff. When necessary, referrals will be made to the DIO and Resident Ombudsman.
Chair of Resident Subcommittee: For educational, work environment and institutional issues, residents from each department elect peer representatives to serve on the GMEC Resident Sub-committee. This committee meets, without program directors or faculty present, monthly as a forum for communication and exchange about resident concerns.
Resident Ombudsman/DIO: Residents can speak directly and confidentially to the Associate Dean/Designated Institutional Official (DIO) who serves as Ombudsman for GME. Residents are assured that nothing is communicated about what they say to the Ombudsman without their expressed consent. Referrals as well as problem solving interventions are provided in strict confidence.
Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC): After consulting with the Associate or Vice Dean for GME, residents may formally seek adjudication through the GME Committee. (Please Policy for Adjudication of Resident Complaints and Grievances) An ad hoc grievance subcommittee of the GMEC will be appointed to address the grievance or complaint.
Employer Level
Affiliated employing hospitals may provide additional avenues for you to raise concerns.
Union Representation
For residents assigned to Kings County Hospital pay lines or other affiliated hospitals
where they are represented by the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR) as well
as residents salaried by SUNY and represented by UUP, there are additional avenues
for the redress of grievances within policies developed through collective bargaining.
Formal charges of discrimination based on race, sex, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or veteran status, should be filed with the campus ODAA Office and addressed as per institutional policy.