Competitive GME Stipends and Benefits

New UT Resident/Fellow Stipend Scale 2022-2023
Chattanooga Campus

PGY Level	Annual Base Stipend	Adjusted Stipend with Life/Disability Insurance Offset
PGY-1	$ 55,162	$ 55,822
PGY-2	$ 56,063	$ 56,723
PGY-3	$ 57,289	$ 57,949
PGY-4	$ 60,027	$ 60,687
PGY-5	$ 61,824	$ 62,484
PGY-6	$ 64,188	$ 64,848
PGY-7	$ 66,564	$ 67,224

Benefits

1. Insurance: The University provides excellent group insurance plans beginning the first day of residency or fellowship training, including:    
       Health, Prescription, Vision, and Dental Insurance
        Life insurance ($100,000 benefit)  
        Long-term disability insurance (choose monthly benefit of $1500, $2500, $4000, or $5000) 
   NOTE:  The University adds an additional $55 per month ($660 annually) to your base stipend to help offset the cost of Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability premiums.
2. Vacation and Leave: The University provides up to three weeks vacation per year, including a few days or week during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Residents are not guaranteed holiday leave unless the service or area to which the resident is assigned is closed for the holiday. Paid annual sick leave (up to three weeks each year) is available as well as a parental leave (paid and unpaid) in accordance with UT GME Policies.
3. Educational Conference Leave: Programs permit up to one-week educational conference leave each year. Funds are available from the department at the discretion of the Chair and Program Director. Reimbursement is subject to The University of Tennessee Travel and Reimbursement Policies and Procedures.
4. Immunity from Professional Liability (i.e., Malpractice): As employees of the State of Tennessee, Residents and Fellows have immunity from professional liability (i.e., malpractice).  Residents and Fellows are protected against suits for malpractice via the Tennessee Claims Commission Act. The State is self-insured so there is no insurance carrier; however, coverage is similar to what would be stated in an insurance policy. 
5. Reimbursement for Professional Development Expenses: Each program has some annual funding that may be used at the discretion of the Chair and Program Director for reimbursement of professional development activities (e.g., regional or national conference, textbooks, electronic CME materials, USMLE Step 3/COMLEX 3 fees, etc.).  Actual amounts vary by program and level of training.  UT Reimbursement and Travel Policies must be followed and all travel must be approved in advance by the Department and Deans' Offices.  Travel receipts and reimbursements must be handled through the CONCUR System.

Other Benefits

• One-time GME orientation stipend ($600) and GME communication stipend ($350) -- a total of $950 -- for incoming Residents and Fellows who complete all onboarding documentation and attend all required institutional and program orientation and certification training (last half of June for most incoming Residents and Fellows).
• Funding for call meals at Erlanger with evening and weekend snacks and drinks provided in call and work areas -- swipe cards are pre-loaded with amounts that vary between programs depending on call frequency, ranging from $1,200 annually for non-surgical programs and $1,560 annually for surgical programs.  These funds are not added to your payroll benefits so they are not subject to federal income tax (an estimated tax savings of 25 - 30%, $240-$300 for non-surgical Residents/Fellows or $312-$390 for surgical Residents/Fellows, depending on your tax filing status).
• Call Quarters -- Erlanger provides call quarters for Residents and Fellows within the hospital with snacks and drinks during evening hours in the call quarter lounges.
• Initial certification and recertification courses provided at no charge to our GME trainees (e.g., BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP, ALSO, and ATLS)
• Covered parking in the hospital parking garage provided at no charge to trainees
• White monogrammed lab coats each year
• Discounted software downloads through the University for personal computers and devices (e.g., Microsoft Office, Office 365 Web Apps, Office 365 ProPlus, and SPSS)
• Hepatitis B immunization and other required immunizations, annual TB skin testing, and flu/COVID vaccines at no charge
• Email accounts at no charge (provided by both the University and Erlanger)
• Medical Library (UTHSC in Memphis and our own UT Medical Library in Chattanooga) 24/7 access
• 24-hour computer access for research and personal use
• 24-hour access from within Erlanger and access from anywhere outside the hospital via physician VPN access, including electronic resources (e.g., Up-to-Date, and Visual DX)
• Copying privileges at no charge in our local Chattanooga UT Medical Library
• Access to all electronic databases via the UT Health Science Center Library (in Memphis) via UT Net ID login
• Funding available via departments toward presentations at regional and national conferences -- at the discretion and request of the Chair and/or Program Director
• Local CME conferences and seminars sponsored by the University at no charge to Residents and Fellows
• Resident House Staff Association
• Resident Advisory Board
• Well-Being Initiatives and activities at both the institutional and program levels
• Availability of on-site childcare available at the hospital (Erlanger e-Kids) on a space available basis and at a discounted rate equivalent to Erlanger employees
• Notary services provided in most departments at no charge to our Residents, Fellows, Students, and Faculty
• Onsite GME Advocate/Counselor at no charge to our Residents, Fellows, Students, and Faculty
• Resident Employee Assistance Program at no charge through CIGNA for counseling, legal, and financial matters
  (GME CIGNA Employee Assistance Program)
• LifeBridge Physician Well-Being Initiative through the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society for in-person access to mental health providers at no cost the resident or fellow
• AIRS Program(Aid to Impaired Residents) offers intervention and assistance to Residents and Fellows who admit impairment and comply with recommended treatment. Given compliance with treatment guidelines, every effort is made to allow a Resident or Fellow to continue and complete residency training and benefits.
• Exercise room in Erlanger at no charge
• IHI Open SchoolPatient Safety and Quality Improvement online modules at no charge
• Workers Compensation coverage for work-related illness, accident, or exposure
• Full service US Post Office at Erlanger or boxes within several departments
• University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Aquatic and Recreation Center (ARC) fitness facility membership available at a discounted fee of $150 per six months plus one-time $15 fee. Spouse memberships also available at a discounted rate of $75 per six months plus a one-time $15 fee.