(left to right) Sam Ryan, Ceylan Metin, Alessandra Dutra, Bess Renjilian, Emily Warsavage (yellow shirt), Dr. Ann Kellams (behind), Tara Srivastava, and Gaby Mazzoni
Congratulations to the newest Wisdom and Wellbeing Peer Support Champions: medical students Gaby Mazzoni, Sam Ryan, Tara Srivastava, Bess Renjilian, Ceylan Metin, Alessandra Dutra, and Emily Warsavage. The students recently completed the Wisdom and Wellbeing Program Team Wellbeing Advocate training, a health system initiative launched in 2016 to train peer supporters to help team members thrive—both personally and professionally. This latest training was led by Ann Kellams, MD, a professor and educator in the Department of Pediatrics.
Introductory training and orientation to the Wisdom and Wellbeing concepts have been integrated into the medical school’s wellness curriculum, fostering awareness and building skills for resilience, peer support, and early recognition of stress injury in oneself or others.
The Team Wellbeing Advocate training is designed for students in leadership roles or those with a strong interest in supporting their peers. The students participated in two evening workshops to deepen their knowledge and strengthen their ability to serve as a resource for others. With this shared language and training, they are well-prepared to collaborate with UVA healthcare professionals and lead wellbeing efforts on their teams.
Many of these students are also involved in Aid to Medical Students, a peer-led initiative that promotes student wellbeing through community building, mentoring, and support. We also recognize the important contributions of other student wellness-focused groups and the Wellness Steering Committee. Together, these groups form a strong network of support and advocacy for student wellbeing.
We are grateful to these students for their commitment to fostering a culture of compassion, resilience, and peer support. Their leadership strengthens our community and sets a powerful example for the future of healthcare. We look forward to seeing the positive impact they will continue to make—both here at UVA and beyond.
Filed Under: Education