Life at Stanford

Resident wellness is a high priority at Stanford, and we offer a strong support network as well as  opportunities for collaboration and professional development.

Situated in one of the most stunning locations in the country, Stanford is surrounded by hiking trails, mountains, beaches, nature preserves, and urban getaways to restore and recharge.

The resident community is an important component of wellness, and we offer events throughout the year to connect professionally and socially with one another.

Ideal Location

The Bay Area, the hub of technology, is considered one of the most beautiful places to live, with adventures in all directions:

  • San Francisco (30 minutes)
  • Napa and Sonoma valleys (2.5 hours)
  • Lake Tahoe ski and hiking areas (4 hours)
  • Yosemite National Park (4 hours)
  • Carmel, Monterey and Big Sur (2-3 hours)

Intern Orientation Month

Incoming interns have a four-week orientation consisting of lectures, workshops, training, and proctored ED shifts to start residency on the right foot and make connections with one another and faculty that prove invaluable.

Bay Area Combined Programs

The Bay Area programs gather together intermittently for conferences and/or wellness events, and to provide opportunities for networking. Highland Emergency Medicine, UCSF-SFGH Emergency Medicine, and Stanford Emergency Medicine take turns hosting.

World-Class Recreation Facilities

Residents can enjoy use of the extensive Stanford University recreation facilities that include four pools, thirty tennis courts, three fitness centers, an indoor rock climbing facility and a championship golf course. Residents also receive discounted tickets to NCAA sporting events and may even work alongside the Sports Medicine team. 

Where Our Residents Live

Stanford Health Center in Palo Alto is 30 miles south of San Francisco and 15 miles north of San Jose. Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara is 15 miles to the southeast, and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center is 20 miles southeast. Most of our residents live between the cities of Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Mountain View. Some live as far south as San Jose, while others commute from San Francisco.