Residents Auxiliary creates community to retain medical families

This article originally appeared on and was written for DRIVE Industry PA by Golden Shovel Agency.

Talent retention is essential for any community’s growth, and the Residents Auxiliary is doing its part to help medical residents fall in love with Central Pennsylvania. The organization brings together doctors and their families through social events, support groups, clubs, and shared resources, supporting them through residency and the transition into life as an attending physician.

“Danville has a huge population of medical professionals, specifically residents and fellows who have completed medical school but are doing their residency,” says Alex Cooper, President of the Residents Auxiliary. “Some people only stay for their three or eight-year contract, but others choose to remain in the area afterward.”

Cooper’s husband completed his fellowship at Geisinger Medical Center, and their family decided to stay in Danville because they love living here. Now Cooper spends her free time creating a culture that makes others want to stay here as well.

Medical Residents Don’t Pick Where They Are Trained

Many medical professionals arrive in Danville on assignment, not because they actively chose to come here. They often have few connections in the area and a limited understanding of life in Central Pennsylvania. Cooper says this can be incredibly difficult, especially for spouses who don’t have peers to work alongside in the hospital.

“I frequently meet people who tell me how lonely they are,” she says. “We want to let people know they have a community they can join and friends they can make in the area.”

The Residents Auxiliary is a 501(c)3 non-profit that is entirely volunteer-driven. The group organizes small meet-ups each month based on community interest (like a bike and walk group and a cooking group) and large events that attract more than 100 people at a time.

The Residents Auxiliary is also parent-friendly. Many meetups are at parks or libraries where people can bring their kids. They recently started offering babysitting services at some events so more parents can attend.

Cooper emphasizes that most people start their medical residency in their 20s and 30s, the years when they are also most likely to get married and have kids. People need resources as they navigate parenthood for the first time, and they need friends to share their hopes and worries as they hit various life milestones. In short, they need a community, which is what the Residents Auxiliary provides. 

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