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Wellness Programs at Rutgers Health

Back to Well-Being at Rutgers Health

Explore the Wellness Calendar

The Wellness Calendar is a hub for health and wellness events designed to support the well-being of our students, faculty, and staff. From mindfulness sessions and art breaks to yoga classes and workshops on mental health and nutrition, the calendar features a variety of events with something for everyone. Submit an event

Find Upcoming Events

My Wellness App for Employees

A thumbnail preview of the my wellness app from Rutgers, which offers wellness resources for students, faculty, and staff

The My Wellness app is available within the Rutgers University mobile app and within the MyRutgers portal. Launched by Rutgers University Human Resources in 2021, the app is part of the Rutgers Employees First Initiative intended to provide employees with tools and resources to support and promote employee wellness and build communities of interest.

“The purpose of the My Wellness app is to support the physical, emotional and social well-being of Rutgers employees by providing quick and easy access to wellness content from your mobile device,” said Vivian Fernández, senior vice president for human resources at Rutgers.

All members of the Rutgers community are encouraged to participate in activities that promote physical, emotional and social well-being. The My Wellness app features accessible, mobile-friendly content such as articles, podcasts and videos to cope with stress, uncertainty and other mental health impacts.

Downloadable Well-Being Resources

Explore Resources for Faculty, Staff, and Students

Find links to stress management support, resiliency tools, mental health coaching, employee assistance programs, peer supports, and more for students, faculty, staff, health professionals, trainees, and fellows at Rutgers University, RWJBarnabas Health, and University Hospital.

Find additional resources, activities, and more for Rutgers Health students.

Visit Student Health and Wellness

About the Program

A colorful word cloud featuring prominent terms like “mindfulness,” “listening,” “journaling,” “connection,” “work,” and “situation.” Other smaller words and phrases include “self compassion,” “breathing,” “meditation,” “empathy,” “micropractice,” and various related concepts. The words appear in different sizes and colors to emphasize frequency or importance.

Search Inside Yourself (SIY) is a two-day, in-person mindfulness intensive training that takes an evidence-based approach, combining neuroscience, attention training, and emotional intelligence to provide practical tools you can apply immediately in life or at work.

The admission fee is supported by Rutgers Health as part of our commitment to fostering a culture of wellness. Several hundred participants—including staff and faculty from various Rutgers departments and schools—have completed the SIY two-day program.

Register for an Upcoming Training

Participant Affiliations

Here are some of our participant affiliations:

  • Rutgers Health
  • New Jersey Medical School
  • Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
  • RWJBarnabas Health
  • Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
  • Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
  • School of Health Professions
  • Rutgers School of Social Work
  • Rutgers School of Communication and Information
  • Rutgers School of Public Health
  • School of Nursing
  • Rutgers Camden
  • Rutgers Cancer Institute
  • Penn Medicine

Applications Closed for 2025-2026

The 2025-2026 application cycle is closed. Please check back in spring 2026.

About the Program

The Rutgers Health Joy at Work Mini-Grants Program supports projects that promote a culture of well-being in the work environment. This includes community, collegiality, peer support, respectful/supportive teamwork, a place where people get to know each other as people, feel heard when they voice concerns or suggestions, where they feel like they belong, and where leadership is supportive of such a culture.

Grant applications are accepted each spring through REDCap, with awards ranging from $500 to $1,500. During an annual symposium where recent grantees share their accomplishments, faculty and staff can gain ideas and learn about current projects to foster well-being at work.

Application Information

Note: Only applications submitted through REDCap will be accepted. We will not accept applications submitted by e-mail.

  • Rutgers Health faculty and staff are eligible to apply. The work environment for the grant can include faculty, staff, team members, and/or learners. Interprofessional activities are encouraged. The work environment can be clinical, academic, research, and/or administrative.
  • Grants from $500 to $1,500 will be awarded. Please provide descriptive justifications for each budget item. We will not consider applications with sparse or vague budget justifications or requests over $1,500. Refreshments can be included but must not be the focus of the application. Rather, the emphasis should be on the process or program. Funds may cover the cost of a guest speaker. Funds cannot cover travel, conferences, personnel (e.g., will not cover stipends or time for an evaluator or other personnel) or student stipends. We are unable to consider applications with requests for ineligible budget items.
  • All qualified applications will be evaluated by a committee using the following criteria:
    • Clarity of objectives and of project summary
    • The need for the project
    • People involved (the project should involve a group of individuals in their work together to promote a culture of well-being, not solely support individual wellness activities)
    • Meaningful evaluation of the impact of the project
    • Longitudinal aspect of the project (the initiatives occur throughout the duration of the project or through activities that occur in day-to-day work to foster well-being)
    • Sustainability of the project beyond the grant funding time (how and if the project will be continued)
    • Reasonableness and justification of the budget
  • Preview the proposal questions that can be found on the REDCap application, as well as word count limits, below.
    • Provide the title of the project
    • Provide objectives and a summary of the project. (up to 150 words)
    • Explain the need for this project. (up to 150 words)
    • What is the intended effect (impact) of the project? Please describe how the project promotes a culture of well-being in your work environment (e.g., community, collegiality, peer-support, respectful/supportive teamwork, a place where people get to know each other as people, feel heard and that they belong and where leadership is supportive of such a culture. The project should not solely support individual wellness activities.) (up to 150 words)
    • How will you evaluate the impact of your project? (up to 150 words)
    • How is this project longitudinal? Explain how project events are distributed throughout the year (July–March) and can affect day-to-day well-being and/or how the project initiatives include activities that occur day-to-day (up to 150 words)
    • How will you sustain and incorporate the project activities in your future workplace? Will this project be continued, and how? (up to 150 words)
    • Budget request/total amount requested: Please describe how the funds will be used. List each item and cost of each item for which funds are requested. Funds cannot cover travel, conferences, personnel (e.g., will not cover stipends or time for an evaluator or other personnel) or student stipends. Funds may cover refreshments if not the focus of the project. Funds may cover the cost of a guest speaker. We will not be able to consider applications with requests of ineligible budget items or requests over $1,500. (up to 250 words)
    • Optional: Please provide any additional information that you believe will be helpful to the selection committee other than already mentioned in the application. (up to 100 words)

Past Projects

    • Crafting Calm: Promoting Wellness and Connection for Pharmacy Faculty and Staff through Creative Endeavors
      • The creative initiative project promotes wellness and facilitate interpersonal connections among colleagues to enhance campus community cohesion, with activities like painting holiday cards and gnome-making. 
      • Project leaders: Mary Bridgeman, PharmD, and Lauren Aleksunes, PharmD, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
    • Thriving Together Wellness Calendar
      • The aim of the program is to foster team building, strengthen connections, boost staff morale and reduce burnout through a monthly wellness calendar.
      • Project leader: Iyana Anderson, University Behavioral Health Care
    • Caring for Caregivers: Focusing on Emotional, Exhaustion, Self-Care and Peer Support
      • The goal of this project is to enhance health care providers well-being through discussions on self care tools, organizing facilitated sessions and follow-up debrief meetings. 
      • Project leader: Laura Pachella, Rutgers Cancer Institute
    • Recognition and Wellness–Improving the Environment at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
      • The program aims to enhance the culture of well-being by recognizing faculty contributions and promoting work life balance through wellness programs. Activities include awards to formally recognize faculty, faculty development series and mindfulness wellness sessions. 
      • Project leader: Emily Sabato, EdD, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
    • Committee for Inclusion and Diversity: Coordinate Annual Diversity Day Celebrations
      • The focus of this project is to promote inclusion and diversity among Physician Assistant faculty, staff and students through small cultural celebrations and quarterly open discussion gatherings. 
      • Project leader: Jennifer Joseph, DHSC, PA-C, Physician Assistant Studies and Practice, Rutgers School of Health Professions
    • Crafting Calm: Promoting Wellness and Connection for Pharmacy Faculty and Staff through Creative Endeavors
      • The creative initiative project promotes wellness and facilitates interpersonal connections among colleagues to enhance campus community cohesion, with activities like painting holiday cards and gnome-making. 
      • Project leaders: Mary Bridgeman, PharmD, and Lauren Aleksunes, PharmD, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
    • Thriving Together Wellness Calendar
      • The aim of the program is to foster team building, strengthen connections, boost staff morale and reduce burnout through a monthly wellness calendar.
      • Project leader: Iyana Anderson, University Behavioral Health Care
    • Caring for Caregivers: Focusing on Emotional, Exhaustion, Self-Care and Peer Support
      • The goal of this project is to enhance health care providers well-being through discussions on self care tools, organizing facilitated sessions and follow-up debrief meetings. 
      • Project leader: Laura Pachella, Rutgers Cancer Institute
    • Recognition and Wellness–Improving the Environment at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
      • The program aims to enhance the culture of well-being by recognizing faculty contributions and promoting work life balance through wellness programs. Activities include awards to formally recognize faculty, faculty development series and mindfulness wellness sessions. 
      • Project leader: Emily Sabato, EdD, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
    • Committee for Inclusion and Diversity: Coordinate Annual Diversity Day Celebrations
      • The focus of this project is to promote inclusion and diversity among Physician Assistant faculty, staff and students through small cultural celebrations and quarterly open discussion gatherings. 
      • Project leader: Jennifer Joseph, DHSC, PA-C, Physician Assistant Studies and Practice, Rutgers School of Health Professions
    • Healthier Together
      • The program focuses on building community by promoting staff engagement and establishing an inclusive environment that supports vitality. Activities include wellness walks,5k run, blood pressure screening, yoga, art/craft and nutrition class. 
      • Project leader: Mary Beth Green, BSCJ, Office of Education, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
    • Data Masti: Curating Dosti With Regression Revelry and Plot Pizazz
      • This program unites South Asian Quantitative Health Education trainees to explore data-driven insights improving health of understudied populations. Participants engage in collaborative exercises, share knowledge and refine data visualization and analyses skills (celebrating data), networking opportunities, team challenges, and discussions to foster community. 
      • Project leader: Jaya Satagopan, PhD, School of Public Health
    • Pediatric Hospital Medicine Peer Mentoring Program
      • This mentoring program focuses on strengthening clinical excellence, collegiality, and wellness through lecture series, interdisciplinary journal clubs, and peer recognition awards. 
      • Project leader: Katrina Foo, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
    • Employee Recognition Program–UBHC Community-Based Services
      • The program provides staff members within the department opportunities to formally recognize and acknowledge achievements of colleagues, express appreciation and celebrate the diversity within the Department. Activities include shout out board and employee of the month recognition awards. 
      • Project leader: Jeanmarie Leitch, PhD, University Behavioral Health Care
    • Expressions of Community: A Workplace Program of Mind and Body Wellness
      • The aim of the project is to support the mental and physical well-being of our members and to foster a sense of belonging and community by offering activities such as yoga sessions and art classes. 
      • Project leaders: Michelle Ruidiaz-Santiago and John Ciampi, School of Public Health
    • Joyful Eating: Whole Foods for Health and Community 
      • The program emphasizes the importance of self-care for healthcare practitioners through food and nutrition lectures and cooking activities. It also highlights the role of meals in supporting health, energy, cognitive function and social connection. 
      • Project leader: Mary Wagner, PharmD, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
    • Building Resilience and Unity: Transforming Team Culture and Collaboration 
      • The program is designed to promote a workplace that fosters unity and inclusivity where team members feel safe.Members’ concerns, creativity and ideas are welcomed through activities such as administrator meetings, dinners and charity/fundraising events. 
      • Project leader: Maricel Quinones, Department of Pediatrics, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
    • Brews and Bites: Monthly Coffee Chats With Flavorful Surprises
      • This program aims to strengthen connections and make the fellowship experience more enriching and enjoyable by fostering a close-knit community among Rutgers Institute for Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship fellows across different states through monthly coffee chats and a one-time uber eats gift card.
      • Project leader: Kishan Patel, PharmD, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
    • NJMS Department Feud Challenge: Promoting Teamwork, Collegiality, and Wellness Through Fun Activities
      • The program aims to develop and implement a game-based wellness project for NJMS staff, inspired by Family Feud, to enhance teamwork, promote psychological well-being, support stress management, and improve overall mental health. 
      • Project leaders: Debra Pittman and Catherine Jones, Department of Faculty Affairs, New Jersey Medical School
    • Owl’s (Our Wellness Lessons) Nest
      • The program aims to promote mental and physical wellness in our team, share ideas to de-stress and improve communication and relationships to build a supportive culture through activities such as mindful walks, potluck, holiday celebrations and birthday club. 
      • Project leaders: Vishakha Dutt and Missy Wimbush, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
    • Happy Program Director, Happy Resident
      • The program supports residency program directors by building a supportive network through quarterly meeting sessions which focus on faculty well-being. Activities include meet and greet your fellow program directors, holiday party events, peer mentoring program-pairing experienced program directors with new appointees. 
      • Project leaders: Evelyne Kalyousseff, MD, and Neil Kothari, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, New Jersey Medical School
    • Crafting Connections
      • This project promotes the overall well-being of the School of Health Professions community members through interactive and creative endeavors that foster connection and a safe space. Activities consist of door decorating, arts and craft and journaling events. 
      • Project leader: Kubra Akbas, PhD, and Emily Peters, MPH, School of Health Professions
    • Gratitude Attitude: Expanding Beyond the Ed (Phase 2) 
      • Phase 2: The project continues to offer an intentional effort to cultivate wellness of emergency medicine residents by fostering consistent appreciation through email shout outs and recognition of colleagues who have made significant impacts. Activities include recipient of the month, monthly breakfast gatherings and 1-2 outings to bond with each other such as dinner and ax throwing. 
      • Project leader: Irene Lieu, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, New Jersey Medical School
    • Create a Sustainable Well-Being Model: Fika at RWJMS Research Tower
      • The program fosters an environment of small talk with no agenda on various topics to share opportunities and offer support. Activities include coffee/tea gatherings, yoga/mindfulness, potluck and scheduled speakers. 
      • Project leader: Rahul Mittal, MD, Department of Health Informatics, Rutgers School of Health Professions
    • A Multicultural and Multi-Faith Initiative to Foster Well-Being and Joy at Work: A Rutgers Health–Newark Initiative (Phase 2)
      • Phase 2:The aim of the program is to expand phase 1 of the project by celebrating all cultures and faiths across our community. The program’s purpose is to promote connection, bonding, and wellness through inclusive activities that honor diverse traditions. Activities include yoga sessions, celebrations of cultural and faith-based festivals, inspirational talks featuring speakers who explore the role of faith in supporting well-being. 
      • Project leader: Christine Ramdin, PhD, Department of Emergency Medicine, New Jersey Medical School
    • The Women in Emergency Medicine Initiative
      • The aim of this project is to promote the empowerment of women in emergency medicine at the New Jersey Medical School by cultivating mentorship and the sharing of experiences across all levels of training and practice with scheduled events for residents and faculty to discuss relevant topics. 
      • Project leader: Marwa Ali, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, New Jersey Medical School
    • OBGYN Department Skill Share
      • This program allows residents, fellows, faculty and staff to share any personal interest, hobby or skill they have with the rest of the department, fostering connections and community building beyond work roles through activities such as pickle ball, knitting and frisbee. 
      • Project leader: Jessica Greenberg, MD, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Health, New Jersey Medical School
    • Women in Emergency Medicine “Night Report”
      • This program promotes female physicians mentoring and championing other female physicians in the Department of Emergency Medicine through organized evening get-togethers to discuss the unique role and challenges in a male-dominated world and profession. 
      • Project leader: Katie Sanghvi, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
    • The Chain Reaction of Healthcare Worker Happiness in Vascular Surgery
      • This project provides an avenue and opportunity for healthcare professionals to share with other medical colleagues’ interests, successes, and challenges outside of medicine through monthly discussion topics, team building events that include family members and activities such as team art and creative cooking.
      • Project leader: Huong Truong, MD, Department of Surgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
    • Chandler Cares
      • Chandler Cares promotes a culture of well-being by setting aside protected time for staff to meet, engage, and plan monthly events that improve workplace camaraderie and show patients that Chandler is more than a health center, Chandler is a resource. Activities include social sports gatherings, wellness programs, community volunteering and team building activities. 
      • Project leader: Jamila Hughley, Eric B. Chandler Health Center
    • Come Together Now
      • The goal of this project is to strengthen teamwork, communication and workplace connection by revitalizing personal, professional, and collaborative relationships among team members. Planned activities include engaging group experiences and team building events such as painting classes.
      • Project leaders: Dani Scarmozzino, Sharon Anderson, School of Nursing
    • Increasing Sense of Belongingness in Emergency Medicine Residents by Recognition of Milestones in Professional Development
      • This project aims to foster a stronger sense of belonging among first-year emergency medicine residents by recognizing and celebrating key training milestones. Each accomplishment will be displayed on a board during resident conferences. Individuals will share reflections on their achievements and receive feedback from peers. In addition, stickers will be displayed on a water bottle purchased for each resident.
      • Project leader: Laryssa Patti, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
    • Project Potluck to Celebrate Our Cultural Diversity
      • The project seeks to build trust, morale, and unity at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School by fostering cultural appreciation and connection among staff. The pediatric and surgery departments will host cultural potlucks and storytelling events, with a bulletin board showcasing team milestones and celebrations to promote engagement and inclusivity.
      • Project leader: Dana Nordstrom, RN, Department of Surgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
    • You Rock, We Rock
      • The project is designed to promote a culture of well-being across a diverse workforce, inclusive of faculty and staff, by encouraging peer support connection and support with a focus on workplace climate, recognition and wellness. Activities include decorating rocks with meaningful words, phrases and images to display on the Rutgers Cancer Institute front lawn.
      • Project leader: Rachel Pavoni, Rutgers Cancer Institute
    • Excellent Demo of the Week Award
      • The program initiative promotes staff recognition, collaboration, and team morale through weekly virtual demo sessions that celebrate creativity, efficiency, and teamwork. Participants vote for the excellent demo of the week, and the winner receives a gift card and is also recognized through the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Cheers/Peers Program for their positive contribution.
      • Project leader: Miranda Esposito, Information Technology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
    • The Women in Surgery Experience at Rutgers (WISER)
      • The aim of the project is to inspire women residents, fellows and faculty in Surgery to join for emotional, professional and academic support through activities such social gatherings, book clubs and discussions on the experiences of women surgeons.
      • Project leader: Anuradha Reema Kar, MD, Department of Surgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
    • Reawakening Humanity at Work
      • The aim of the project is to foster a workplace culture of well-being by encouraging employee volunteering and offering meaningful opportunities to give back. Volunteering strengthens community and teamwork, while enhancing employees’ sense of purpose, accomplishment, and belonging. Activities include service at Elijah’s Promise, a toy drive, and support for a women’s shelter.
      • Project leader: Angela Lowder, Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
    • Improving Sonographer Wellness
      • This program is designed to help cardiac sonographers prevent physical and mental fatigue by promoting self-care and providing access to professional mentorship. Activities include hands-on educational sessions, monthly self-care lectures, and ongoing support from experienced mentors.
      • Project leader: Kameswari Maganti, MD, Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
    • Building Resilience: Hospitalist Edition
      • This initiative aims to cultivate a workplace culture rooted in positivity, gratitude, and teamwork by fostering a supportive environment and creating safe zones for colleagues to share freely in confidence through team huddles, celebrations and wellness events such as meditation and yoga sessions.
      • Project leader: Ting Yu Jih, MD, Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
    • Reflective Writing in Residency
      • This initiative invites residents to reflect on shared experiences through writing and open discussions by fostering emotional connection and mutual support. This helps with strengthen bonds among residents and serves as a proactive approach to preventing or addressing burnout.
      • Project leader: Jessica Greenberg, MD, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Health, New Jersey Medical School
    • The Art of Being
      • The project aims to foster employee connections by promoting collaboration and teamwork through art therapy sessions. The art sessions provide colleagues with an opportunity to explore emotions and address sources of distress in a safe and supportive environment.
      • Project leader: Jeannette Manchester, DNP, School of Nursing
    • Celebrating the Joy of Discovery in Pharmacology
      • The project initiative is to create a workspace that reflects the beauty of science and the interests of community by launching a photo contest centered on scientific discoveries. Colleagues can learn from each other and celebrate the work they do.
      • Project leader: Nancy Walworth, PhD, Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
    • Assessing Headspace to Improve Longitudinal Resident and Faculty in Women’s Reproductive Health Professions
      • The aim of the project is to reduce stress, improve quality of sleep and reduce/prevent burnout by using the headspace app. The app promotes overall well-being through opportunities such as exercises, mindfulness and meditation.
      • Project leader: Suzanne Magherini-Rothe, MD, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, RWJBarnabasHealth Medical Group
    • Well-Being Walks at the School of Public Health
      • The goal of this project is to create a supportive social environment where members can participate in wellness activities and strengthen connections across units at the Rutgers School of Public Health. Activities include scheduled walks designed to promote both physical and mental well-being for faculty and staff.
      • Project leader: Stephanie Shiau, PhD, MPH, School of Public Health
    • CMRSS Serenity Room: The Wellness Space to Keep Pace
      • The purpose of this project is to boost morale and reinforce a sense of value and purpose in the work performed by mental health professionals. The serenity room provides a safe, supportive environment where staff can practice self-care and build meaningful connections with one another. 
      • Project leaders: Viva White, PhD, Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care
    • Wellness Wednesday for Edison Outpatient Clinical Staff
      • The program is designed to boost office morale, strengthen interpersonal connections, and enhance collaboration through monthly “Wellness Wednesdays”. During these sessions, staff gather over the lunch hour to step away from work, relax, and engage in activities that promote well-being.
      • Project leaders: Michael Pente, MA, Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care
    • Growing Community
      • This project is designed to bring faculty and staff from the rehabilitation and movement sciences department together to create something meaningful for the Newark community by planting flowers along a fence to brighten and revitalize the area. At the same time, this will foster a sense of shared purpose and collaboration among team members.
        Project leader: Nancy R. Kirsch, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA, Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences, School of Health Professions
    • REHLACS (Re-Establishing Healthy Living in Acute Care Surgery)
      • REHLACS is an initiative to promote mindfulness and quality of life in the division of acute care surgery using the headspace app. The app promotes overall well-being through opportunities such as exercises, mindfulness, meditation and exclusive webinars catered specifically to the team.
      • Project leader: Amanda Teichman, MD, Department of Surgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
    • RU@The Fellows’ Club
      • The project aims to reduce fatigue and stress, foster resilience and self-care, and support a compassionate, resilient physician community through a structured wellness program. The program includes quarterly meetings that address all aspects of wellness—mental, physical, social, and spiritual.
      • Project leader: Richa Nahar, MD, Department of Medicine, New Jersey Medical School
    • The Development of an Inclusive Hindu Interfaith Group for Interested Faculty and Staff at Rutgers Health–Newark
      • The project aims to create a vibrant Hindu interfaith group that welcomes all faculty and staff—whether Hindu or simply interested in learning about Hinduism. This project promotes wellness and connection through monthly sessions with guest speakers on stress management and burnout prevention, along with cultural festival celebrations that honor tradition and build community.
      • Project leader: Christine Ramdin, PhD, Department of Emergency Medicine, New Jersey Medical School
    • Improving Professional Growth While Learning About Your Colleagues: RUPPADAYS
      • This program fosters collaboration and professional growth among faculty while encouraging connection and well being through activities that contribute to positive workplace culture. Activities include research discussions and creative crafts sessions.
      • Project leaders: Rupal Mansukhani, PharmD, Mary Bridgeman, PharmD, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
    • Improving NJMS Emergency Medicine Faculty Well-Being Through Education
      • The aim of the project is to enhance faculty well-being for the Emergency Medicine faculty by having standing wellness components to our existing monthly faculty development sessions. Topics include discussions about mindfulness/meditation, team building, increasing resilience and improving mental health.
      • Project leader: Mehruba Parris, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, New Jersey Medical School
    • Healthy Eating Cookbook: Promoting a Positive Culture in the Workplace
      • The objective of the project is to provide a collection of delicious and healthy recipes to encourage employees to make healthier food choices while celebrating workplace diversity, enhancing well-being, reducing stress and fostering community and collegiality.
      • Project leader: Ozlem Gunal, MD, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, New Jersey Medical School
    • gRatitude
      • The project encourages gratitude and recognition among residents by highlighting acts of kindness and positive contributions. Activities include writing notes of appreciation, which are displayed on a gratitude board, with a “gratitude of the month” honored at a wellness breakfast.
      • Project leader: Irene Lieu, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, New Jersey Medical School
    • Color Your Way to Wellness
      • The aim of our project is to enhance the health and well-being of physicians and staff—both clinical and non-clinical—through engagement with the arts. Activities will include various forms of visual art, such as painting, drawing, and photography (including photo editing).
      • Project leader: Iona Monteiro, MD, Department of Pediatrics, New Jersey Medical School
    • Hunting for Well-Being, Sharing a Vision
      • The objectives of this project are to boost team morale, enhance communications, support a positive team dynamic, and establish an environment where even the smallest voices on the team can feel heard. Planned activities include team-based challenges, group lunches, vision board sessions and mindfulness workshops.
      • Project leader: Ellen Pagan Indoe, MA, MCHES, Rutgers Cancer Institute

About the Program

Peer support programs are becoming more widespread among healthcare institutions and academic health centers. Fellow peers are a powerful source of support because they understand the daily challenges and stressors in the work environment.

The One 2 One 2 CARE (Colleagues Aligning to Respond with Empathy) Peer Support Program trains faculty, healthcare professionals, and learners to provide individual support to colleagues who are stressed or in distress. Trained peer supporters can provide scheduled or on-site real-time support when challenging situations arise at work. They can support a peer facing a challenge by offering a listening ear or helping hand.

Connecting with Peer Supporters

Two health care workers walk and talk in a hospital hallway

Peers understand the joys and difficulties of our work. Yet, our healthcare culture supports shouldering our own concerns. We all need to learn to check in with one another, “This was a hard situation, how are you doing?” and respond beyond the automatic response of “I’m fine.” It is helpful to share how difficult experiences affect us with a trusted colleague.

About the Program

The CIRCLE (Colleagues Involved in Reaching Colleagues through Listening and Empathy) Peer Talk and Peer Text groups are discussion groups that allow faculty to connect with peers and discuss what it means to be “well at work,” as well as other issues that we might not ordinarily address during day-to-day work. Groups like CIRCLE Peer Talk and CIRCLE Peer Text have been demonstrated to positively impact well-being.

These groups meet synchronously (via an online platform or face-to-face) or asynchronously (by text) every other week. The program is open to all Rutgers Health faculty.

How to Form a Group

  1. Form a group of five to eight colleagues based on your own definition of “peer." This could be members of the same department, specialty, stage of career (years in practice or residency), life stage (having young children), career focus (research, education), gender or ethnic/race background, etc. Assistance in assembling a group can be provided.
  2. Select a group leader who will begin the discussion and ensure that all participants meet initially. The group leader will receive themed evidence-based discussion topics every two weeks.
  3. Select a type of group:
    • CIRCLE Peer Talk: Meets synchronously using any online virtual platform or face-to-face for one hour every two weeks at a time of your choice.
    • CIRCLE Peer Text: Meets asynchronously via text on a secure platform (WhatsApp) over the week following the release of the topic.

If you are interested in starting a CIRCLE group or connecting with an existing group, or if you have any questions about the program, please contact Norma Hernandez at hernanno@njms.rutgers.edu, or Chantal Brazeau at chantal.brazeau@rutgers.edu.

Watch: Introduction to CIRCLE Groups

Testimonials

Talk Participants

We had a lot of common things to talk about and we understood exactly where we were going and how we felt at that time, so it was helpful, almost therapeutic at times.

We built relationships like we had never before.

It was really just about us and supporting one another, so I think that was the most meaningful part of it.

Text Participants

I think it helped to bring up a lot of issues that we deal with on a regular basis that we sometimes don't appreciate that are more common.

Gave me a sense of community.

It was the shared experience. It was as if I was no longer an island. I had people that were experiencing exactly as if they took the words right out of my own head when they're typing. So I learned a lot.

Supporting our Programs

Special thanks to our faculty and staff partners from across Rutgers University for their ongoing support of the One 2 One 2 CARE, Joy at Work, and CIRCLE employee wellness programs at Rutgers Health. 

Chantal Brazeau
Chief Wellness Officer, Rutgers Health
Professor of Psychiatry and Family Medicine, New Jersey Medical School
Assistant Dean for Faculty Vitality, New Jersey Medical School and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Norma Hernandez
Administrator, New Jersey Medical School

Manasa Ayyala
Associate Professor of Medicine, New Jersey Medical School
Director, The Healthcare Foundation Center for Humanism and Medicine, New Jersey Medical School

Ping-Hsin Chen
Associate Professor, New Jersey Medical School

Margaret (Peggy) Swarbrick
ScarletWell Director, Rutgers University–New Brunswick
Professor, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology
Associate Director, Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies

Funding Support

The One 2 One 2 CARE, Joy at Work, and CIRCLE programs were made possible by grants from the Sandra and Arnold Gold Humanism Research Fund, the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey, and the ALL IN: WellBeing First for Healthcare coalition.

Continuing support is provided by the Rutgers Health Office of Clinical and Health Affairs.

Research and Presentations