GME Benefits for Residents & Fellows at the ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú College of Medicine

Our Lexington residents and fellows receive a robust benefits package - including health coverage, leave time, licensure support, retirement plans, and educational funding - designed to support your professional growth, wellness and future success.

Contact Us

Email GME Benefits Coordinator or call 859-323-1011

Email ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú Benefits  or call 859-257-9519

Email  GME Office  or call 859-323-1011. Open M-F, 7:30AM-5PM

Leave Benefits


Paid Leave Time

ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú Graduate Medical Education provides a generous leave package. Residents and Fellows are eligible for leave time as outlined below: 

Vacation Leave- 15 paid vacation days per contract year. Vacation days are available as soon as you start your employment.

Holiday Leave- 10 days (11 during presidential election year) and 5 floating or 'bonus' days.

Temporary Disability Leave (TDL/Sick Leave)- 12 days per contract year. Unused TDL carries over into next contract year. TDL days are available as soon as you start your employment.

Wellness Leave- 2 of the 12 TDL days are wellness days. In general, an excuse from work from a healthcare provider is not required. 

Funeral and Bereavement Leave- Paid leave time, following ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú HR policies:

Educational Leave- Programs may allow residents/fellows to have educational leave for conference or courses that further education. 

Family Medical Leave-  30 days paid leave per program. See below for more information.

Jury Duty Leave- Submit a copy of the call to jury to the Program Director as soon as possible. The GME Registrar can provide a request for temporary postponement. 

Military Leave- Submit a written request alongside copy of military orders to the GME Office and Program Director. 

 

Paid Leave Time

ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú Graduate Medical Education provides a generous leave package. Residents and Fellows are eligible for leave time as outlined below: 

Vacation Leave- 15 paid vacation days per contract year. Vacation days are available as soon as you start your employment.

Holiday Leave- 10 days (11 during presidential election year) and 5 floating or 'bonus' days.

Temporary Disability Leave (TDL/Sick Leave)- 12 days per contract year. Unused TDL carries over into next contract year. TDL days are available as soon as you start your employment.

Wellness Leave- 2 of the 12 TDL days are wellness days. In general, an excuse from work from a healthcare provider is not required. 

Funeral and Bereavement Leave- Paid leave time, following ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú HR policies:

Educational Leave- Programs may allow residents/fellows to have educational leave for conference or courses that further education. 

Family Medical Leave-  30 days paid leave per program. See below for more information.

Jury Duty Leave- Submit a copy of the call to jury to the Program Director as soon as possible. The GME Registrar can provide a request for temporary postponement. 

Military Leave- Submit a written request alongside copy of military orders to the GME Office and Program Director. 

 

Family Medical Leave Process

Family Medical Leave Process:
  • If you are interested in Family Medical Leave please contact the GME Benefits Coordinator. 
  • The GME Benefits Coordinator will send you information on the FML Policy, along with the GME FML Request Form. In order for the FML Request to be approved, it must be sent directly to the GME Office by the resident/fellow's physician.
  • When the GME Office has received the FML Request Form, you will receive a confirmation email from the GME Office.
  • The GME Benefits Coordinator will then reach out to the Program Coordinator and work together to complete the FML Agreement Form. This form is then signed by the resident/fellow and the department/ Program Coordinator. 
  • Lastly, a 'Status Closed' email will be sent to the resident/fellow and Program Coordinator. The main purpose for this final email is for record keeping and to provide ease of mind so you know that all requests are approved and processed.

*Please make sure to send all forms to the GME Office and not ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú Human Resources 

Family Medical Leave Process
Family Medical Leave Process:
  • If you are interested in Family Medical Leave please contact the GME Benefits Coordinator. 
  • The GME Benefits Coordinator will send you information on the FML Policy, along with the GME FML Request Form. In order for the FML Request to be approved, it must be sent directly to the GME Office by the resident/fellow's physician.
  • When the GME Office has received the FML Request Form, you will receive a confirmation email from the GME Office.
  • The GME Benefits Coordinator will then reach out to the Program Coordinator and work together to complete the FML Agreement Form. This form is then signed by the resident/fellow and the department/ Program Coordinator. 
  • Lastly, a 'Status Closed' email will be sent to the resident/fellow and Program Coordinator. The main purpose for this final email is for record keeping and to provide ease of mind so you know that all requests are approved and processed.

*Please make sure to send all forms to the GME Office and not ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú Human Resources 

Family Medical Leave Policy

Summary of Family Medical Leave Policy (Effective 7/1/2022):

Per  all residents/fellows will have a one-time allotment of 30 days (6 work weeks) paid leave per training program for an approved, qualified Family Medical Leave (FML) event. Paid FML leave is provided in addition to other forms of paid leave for the academic year including: 15 vacation days, 10 holidays, 5 floating ‘bonus’ days, and 12 Temporary Disability Leave (TDL) days. Paid FML leave is available to any resident/fellow with an approved, qualified FML event, at any time during a training program, starting the first day the resident/fellow is required to report for training for the program. Paid FML provides residents and fellows 100% of their salary for the duration of the 30 days (6 work weeks). In the event that all accrued time has been exhausted, the remainder of the FML will result in being placed in FML without pay status. 

 

Key Reminders:

  • All FML paperwork must be submitted to the GME Office no later than 2 weeks after the start of FML
  • If you use 5 or more consecutive Temporary Disability Leave (TDL or sick) days, you will be required to submit a Request for Family and Medical Leave form (attached) from a provider.
  • Paid FML can be used intermittently, depending on the nature of the qualifying event.
  • In some cases, residents/fellows opt to use vacation time rather than TDL for a qualified event, to avoid submitting FML paperwork. This is generally discouraged, vacation time does not roll over each contract year, and taking advantage of the Paid FML protects your vacation time for use later in your contract year.
  • Training credit and successful completion of each PGY level is determined by your program and CCC, so I would defer to your program if you have any specific questions regarding impact on training due to leave.
  • J1 VISA Learners Taking FML : ECFMG requires reporting of all leave. Related forms can be found on our website. 

 

 

Family Medical Leave Policy

Summary of Family Medical Leave Policy (Effective 7/1/2022):

Per  all residents/fellows will have a one-time allotment of 30 days (6 work weeks) paid leave per training program for an approved, qualified Family Medical Leave (FML) event. Paid FML leave is provided in addition to other forms of paid leave for the academic year including: 15 vacation days, 10 holidays, 5 floating ‘bonus’ days, and 12 Temporary Disability Leave (TDL) days. Paid FML leave is available to any resident/fellow with an approved, qualified FML event, at any time during a training program, starting the first day the resident/fellow is required to report for training for the program. Paid FML provides residents and fellows 100% of their salary for the duration of the 30 days (6 work weeks). In the event that all accrued time has been exhausted, the remainder of the FML will result in being placed in FML without pay status. 

 

Key Reminders:

  • All FML paperwork must be submitted to the GME Office no later than 2 weeks after the start of FML
  • If you use 5 or more consecutive Temporary Disability Leave (TDL or sick) days, you will be required to submit a Request for Family and Medical Leave form (attached) from a provider.
  • Paid FML can be used intermittently, depending on the nature of the qualifying event.
  • In some cases, residents/fellows opt to use vacation time rather than TDL for a qualified event, to avoid submitting FML paperwork. This is generally discouraged, vacation time does not roll over each contract year, and taking advantage of the Paid FML protects your vacation time for use later in your contract year.
  • Training credit and successful completion of each PGY level is determined by your program and CCC, so I would defer to your program if you have any specific questions regarding impact on training due to leave.
  • J1 VISA Learners Taking FML : ECFMG requires reporting of all leave. Related forms can be found on our website. 

 

 

Family Medical Leave FAQs

When should a resident/ fellow let their program know they will be needing FML? Preferably, as soon as possible. If the FML event is unexpected please communicate with your program and make it a priority to have the FML Request Form sent to the GME Office. All FML paperwork must be submitted to the GME Office no later than 2 weeks after the start of FML.

Is it possible to use TDL, Vacation or Holidays to be paid for additional FML time? Yes. Since only 6 weeks of paid FML is offered, you can use other paid leave if you are in need of additional time. However, that time needs to be accounted for in the FML Request documentation sent in via your healthcare provider. 

Can I have multiple FML events? Yes. The FML process will still have to be followed. Be mindful that residents and fellows only have 30 days of paid FML for the entirety of their program. These days do not reset at the beginning of a new contract year. 

Family Medical Leave FAQs

When should a resident/ fellow let their program know they will be needing FML? Preferably, as soon as possible. If the FML event is unexpected please communicate with your program and make it a priority to have the FML Request Form sent to the GME Office. All FML paperwork must be submitted to the GME Office no later than 2 weeks after the start of FML.

Is it possible to use TDL, Vacation or Holidays to be paid for additional FML time? Yes. Since only 6 weeks of paid FML is offered, you can use other paid leave if you are in need of additional time. However, that time needs to be accounted for in the FML Request documentation sent in via your healthcare provider. 

Can I have multiple FML events? Yes. The FML process will still have to be followed. Be mindful that residents and fellows only have 30 days of paid FML for the entirety of their program. These days do not reset at the beginning of a new contract year. 

Health Care Benefits


New Parent Resources


Find Maternity Lead Aprons

Locating Aprons

  • Chandler MOR: Contact the charge nurse at the control desk by calling (35631). The control desk is located on Pav A 2nd floor, Room A.02.408.
  • CAS: Contact the charge nurse at the control desk by calling (34130). The control desk is located on Gill 4th floor, Room G465.

Tracking and Return Process

  • Users must provide their first and last name when accessing maternity lead aprons. This information will be logged in a tracking sheet.
  • After use, aprons should be returned promptly. If an apron is not returned, Perioperative leadership will follow up and escalate to the PMT (Perioperative Management Team) if necessary.

Assistance with Sizing Concerns

  • Any trainee concerned about accessing lead that fits appropriately during a rotation can contact ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú Healthcare Radiation Safety at ukhcradsafety@uky.edubryan.lemieux@uky.edu, or by calling (257-7128)
Find Maternity Lead Aprons

Locating Aprons

  • Chandler MOR: Contact the charge nurse at the control desk by calling (35631). The control desk is located on Pav A 2nd floor, Room A.02.408.
  • CAS: Contact the charge nurse at the control desk by calling (34130). The control desk is located on Gill 4th floor, Room G465.

Tracking and Return Process

  • Users must provide their first and last name when accessing maternity lead aprons. This information will be logged in a tracking sheet.
  • After use, aprons should be returned promptly. If an apron is not returned, Perioperative leadership will follow up and escalate to the PMT (Perioperative Management Team) if necessary.

Assistance with Sizing Concerns

  • Any trainee concerned about accessing lead that fits appropriately during a rotation can contact ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú Healthcare Radiation Safety at ukhcradsafety@uky.edubryan.lemieux@uky.edu, or by calling (257-7128)

Breastfeeding Resources

for breastfeeding surgeons brought you by American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Women in Otolaryngology Endowment Fund and University of Kentucky Health Care. 

Breastfeeding Resources

for breastfeeding surgeons brought you by American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Women in Otolaryngology Endowment Fund and University of Kentucky Health Care. 

Other Benefits