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On June 16, 2004, BWH kicked off its second annual Brigham Urban Intern Learning Day (BUILD) to introduce new residents to the hospital’s surrounding area. The optional orientation offered to incoming Internal Medicine residents was started by Alexandra Molnar, MD, in 2003 and is designed and planned by current residents with the assistance of JudyAnn Bigby, MD, director of Community Health Programs.
“One of the goals for BUILD is for residents to have a sense of where their patients are coming from,” said Molnar, a 3rd-year Primary Care and Internal Medicine resident.
Molnar said that this year more than half of the incoming Internal Medicine residents opted to arrive early and receive the community orientation.
The day began with a community panel discussion that touched upon healthcare concerns of members of the Mission Hill, Jamaica Plain and Roxbury/ Dorchester areas. Panelists included a community member from each surrounding neighborhood. After the discussion, panelists led residents on walking tours through one of the three communities.
In the afternoon, each of the three groups participated in a community service project. This year’s projects included delivering mail to homebound elders, volunteering at a neighborhood farm and homeless shelter, as well as helping put on an ice cream social for underserved elderly residents.
Molnar highlighted one resident comment on the survey distributed after the event to sum up the day: “What a fantastic way to understand where the hospital fits into the community around it, and about the incredible history and legacy of the place.”