As physicians in this great city, we are challenged by diverse disease and pathology, and are rewarded with living in a city rich with history - where live music fills the streets, and gourmet food is found around every corner.
Tulane prides itself on giving its residents time to enjoy many of the local and national events that occur in the New Orleans area. In addition to 412 festivals, Jazz Fest and Mardi Gras, New Orleans is home to both the Saints, and the Pelicans (the program has season tickets for both.)
But be prepared… should you find yourself living in the Big Easy, you will constantly have friends and family asking to visit… they’ll be after your couch or extra bedroom as a place to stay during Mardi Gras, Jazz and Heritage festival, or any number of the 412 other festivals that occur throughout the year.
And then there is the Tulane Residency Social Curriculum, a series of events that are sure to keep you balanced as you develop clinical excellence.
Please select from the categories on the right to learn more about some of the events that occur yearly in New Orleans. While this is just a start, we have attempted to provide a "local's guide" to diving into our city.
And remember, residency is three years of your life. Don’t you want to look back on this time in your life and say, “Wow, that was unique!”? It's time you lived the good life! Come be a part of one of the last unique cities in America. We would love to have you.
Why is Mardi Gras celebrated? Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is the last day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. The Lenten season is dedicated to repentance and fasting in preparation for Easter. In preparation for this lean, hungry and virtuous season, age-old European tradition is to eat, drink and party like mad to get it out of their collective system.
This season between Twelfth Night and Ash Wednesday is called Carnival (from the Latin "farewell to flesh"). The Carnival ball is a formal party given by a krewe for its members and their guests. It consists of a royal court with king and queen, dukes and duchesses and the like, who are presented in lavish costumes to an audience of invited guests. The more traditional balls present tableaux, which are staged pageants that depict stories, usually from mythology or history. A queen's supper, which might be a dinner dance or informal party, often is held after the ball. Sometimes balls are also cotillions. The Original Illinois Club, for example, has an annual ball and debutante cotillion.
By our informal count, there are 137 local Carnival balls. The first is always the Twelfth Night Ball, held on Jan. 6, or Kings' 
Day, by the Twelfth Night Revelers. This signals the start of the Carnival season. Traditional balls are still by far the most popular, with 87 organizations favoring them. Another 23 groups present tableaux, followed by balls or supper dances. Eighteen krewes have changed to supper dances alone, while seven stage balls followed by dances.
Future Mardi Gras Dates During Your Residency/ Fellowship
Important Mardi Gras tips (from the pros):
1. Bathrooms - Know where the nearest facilities are. Port-o-lets are around but lines are long. To use the restrooms in restaurants and bars, you need to purchase something. Lots of things are allowed during Mardi Gras, but not public urination. This will get you in the klink for the whole festival.
2. Sun screen - New Orleans is tropical, so bad sunburns can be had even in Feb.
3. Folding chairs - unless viewing parades from a balcony or grandstand, you might want to bring folding chairs with you. Of course, if you bring them, you have to carry them. If you are planning on just viewing parades, it's a great thing. If you planning on going to the Quarter, you won't want to lug them around.
4. Beverages - I think this goes without saying.
5. Don't pick up beads from the ground: you will end up with a broken finger. Step on whatever you want, then retrieve it. Downtown, on St. Charles and Canal, especially.
6. Do not cross barricades to pick up throws.
7. Driving/parking - Police block traffic from major parade routes well before the parades. Allow extra time to arrive and find parking. On foot, take care not to cross police barricades. Especially on Canal Street, crossing a barricade.
Who we are:
A group of residents from all levels of training working to promote a culture of wellness while recognizing the reality of burnout and how we as a residency can take measures towards prevention. Residency is one of the most challenging times in our lives,but with the right resources and support it can be a period of tremendous personal growth.
What we do:
-Regularly meet to discuss the topic of wellness and brainstorm areas of improvement in our program with the support of faculty mentorship
-Provide up-to-date resources for mental health providers, counseling, clinics, child care, and 24/7 resource phone line
-Develop a curriculum focused on wellness techniques and burnout prevention
-Provide resources for wellness activities around the city of New Orleans and organize events within the program
-Work to improve resident workspaces and shared environments
