Promoting Well-being at Rutgers Health

August 22, 2024

Dear Rutgers Health Community,

I am excited to announce the establishment of the Office for the Promotion of Well-being, an initiative of the Office of Clinical and Health Affairs that will serve as a central hub for wellness activities within Rutgers Health.

The Office for the Promotion of Well-being was created to enhance the wellness of our entire community—faculty, staff, and learners alike. Its mission is to promote a culture of respect and well-being, ensuring that every member of our community has access to the resources and support they need to thrive. This office is part of our continued efforts at Rutgers Health to promote well-being and a psychologically safe work environment. Rutgers Health is part of the Healthcare Professional Well-being Academic Consortium, a cohort of academically-affiliated medical centers committed to innovative strategies for advancing the well-being of health care professionals.

Leading the office is Reka Somodi, who will serve as Senior Director. With her extensive academic and clinical experience, Reka has developed a deep passion for student, clinician, and community wellness. She brings a wealth of knowledge to this role, weaving together her experience as an acute care advanced practice nurse, her teaching, and her focus on clinician wellness during and after her doctoral studies. In her new role, Reka will provide vision and strategic planning for wellness initiatives across Rutgers Health, alongside colleagues Chantal Brazeau and Noa’a Shimoni, Chief Wellness Officer and Associate Vice President for Student Health and Wellness, respectively.

The Office for the Promotion of Well-being offers a variety of programs and resources designed to support our community, including:

• Events: Join us for an upcoming Suicide Prevention 5K community run/walk and other wellness events that promote physical activity and community engagement.
• Search Inside Yourself (SIY) Program: Originally developed by Google and Stanford, this emotional intelligence and psychological safety program provides tools to navigate the world successfully for optimal professional, personal, and leadership growth. For more information and to join the program, email Reka.
• MyRutgers Health Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence Community: This virtual community welcomes all Rutgers members interested in mindfulness-based teachings and weekly meditations. It is a supportive space to explore mindfulness and emotional intelligence.
• Wellness Resources: Access a range of resources designed to support your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
• Membership with Healthcare Professional Well-being Academic Consortium: Membership, research, engagement, and benchmarking on a national level.

For more information about the Office for the Promotion of Well-being and its programs, please visit the website.

Wishing you good health, 

Vicente Gracias, MD 
Senior Vice Chancellor for Clinical Affairs, Rutgers Health
Vice President for Health Affairs, Rutgers University