"We like it here. We like it a lot!" And there's a reason for that. It's not just the great medicine, the variety in pathology or the wonderful teaching we get. It's the camaraderie we share with other residents, faculty and students. We enjoy a variety of events, celebrations and just casual gatherings throughout the year.

The backbone of our social calendar is the monthly student dinners. This year the dinners will be hosted at a different resident's or faculty member's home each month so that we and our families can mix and mingle in a laid back atmosphere. Also, so we can get to know each other on a personal level. Some of these will be holiday-themed parties - perhaps a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, a costume party, an Easter egg hunt...who knows? But it's always a good time!

We also like to get out and about from time to time. We're planning a resident retreat for the fall of this year, and we're close enough to Atlanta to visit the Georgia Aquarium or go to an Atlanta Braves game. Our own Rome Braves always provide a great atmosphere out at the State Mutual Stadium! In August we know that whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River will be calling our names so those of us who are feeling adventurous will be making that trip. And, of course, there are the ever-present impromptu nights out on the town in our beautiful and historic downtown district.

It's not all just fun and games, a lot of it is just fun community service. We are always geared up for the annual ACS Relay for Life. This year's theme was "Duke's of Hazard," and our barbeque got rave reviews! We also do sports physicals, school physicals and other local medical services on an almost monthly basis. The local Women's Shelter is always grateful for our contributions to their Christmas Angels program and we are always grateful to have the opportunity to participate.

Our spouses group does a great job of making sure there are opportunities for socializing for the husbands and wives of our residents. They do a great job planning wedding and baby showers for our lucky couples and they are the biggest supporters at our Scrubs softball games.

And the year always comes to a bittersweet close with a graduation ceremony and party for our exiting residents and lots of welcome socials for our entering interns. We become like family here, and we like to work, play and celebrate together!

Sincerely,
Allison Key, M.D. PGY-2
Aldrich Mendoza, M.D. PGY-2
Social Directors

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