Dartmouth-Hitchcock

House Staff Groups

The DHMC House Officer Association

Mission Statement

The House Officer Association exists to improve the overall experience at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Areas of focus include:

• Improve the educational experience of residents and fellows at DHMC
• Optimize house staff well being both in and out of the hospital
• Improve overall patient care by optimizing resident involvement and performance
• Ensure resident/fellow involvement at the hospital level thru participation in hospital committees

Membership

1. Each ACGME accredited residency/fellowship program should have between one and two voting representatives on the HOA.
2. Representatives will be selected by each department, either by selection or election, based on interest in each particular department.
3. Representatives will serve for a term of one year. Representative may serve more than one term if so chosen by their respective department.
4. Each designated representative will have voting rights on the HOA. 60% attendance is required to retain voting privileges. If a voting member is unable to come to a meeting, they should designate a person to vote in their absence.
5. Any DHMC interns, residents, or fellows are invited to attend all HOA meetings and contribute to the meetings. They will not however have voting privileges.
6. The President will be elected by the HOA and will serve a term of one year. This term will start in January and go for 12 months. This will allow for the past president to help with the transition before leaving the institution.
7. The President will select a vice president and other directors based on individual interest as outlined above. Residents/fellows will serve in the positions at the discretion of the President.
8. The membership director of the HOA will be responsible for ensuring equal representation among the various departments.

Meetings

1. Meetings will be held monthly at the discretion of the leadership, typically on the 4th Tuesday of the month.
2. The meeting schedule will be published and distributed to all departments with the anticipation that members of the committee be relieved from clinical duties whenever possible to attend meetings
3. The meeting agenda will be open for additions until 24h before the meeting starts. It will then be distributed by email before the meeting.
4. All meetings are open to all house staff.

Purpose

1. To foster communication between house officers and the administration and staff at DHMC and associated hospitals.
2. To foster communication among house officers from different hospital departments.
3. To provide a means by which house officers can actively participate in the formation and change of policy that affects patient care. Specifically, this will be achieved by active participation in quality improvement projects, membership and various hospital committees, etc.
4. To provide a means to monitor the quality of benefits provided to house officers.
5. Optimize the educational experience by house staff
6. Contribute to house staff wellness by providing resources and opportunities for healthy living inside and outside of the hospital setting.