EDITION 2.1

Fall 2024

Rutgers Health Hub

Dear Rutgers Health Community,

This fall, I am filled with enthusiasm for the strides we are making in fostering a culture of wellness across our community. At Rutgers Health, the well-being of our faculty, staff, and learners is a top priority, and this commitment is evident in our recent initiatives designed to support and uplift every member of our community.

The establishment of the Promotion of Well-Being initiative is one such example of this commitment. It will serve as the cornerstone of our wellness efforts, offering resources and programs tailored to enhance our collective health—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Whether through our mindfulness programs, Suicide Prevention Month events and trainings, or the Search Inside Yourself initiative, I encourage each of you to take advantage of these opportunities. Together, we can continue to build a community where everyone can thrive, taking care of ourselves so we can take care of the people we serve.

Warm regards,

Brian L. Strom, M.D., M.P.H.

Chancellor, Rutgers Health

Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Rutgers University

Promoting Well-Being at Rutgers Health

This fall, the Office of Clinical Affairs and Health Affairs launched The Promotion of Well-Being, a new initiative dedicated to fostering a culture of wellness for faculty, staff, and learners. Led by Senior Director Reka Somodi, this initiative will serve as a central hub for a variety of wellness programs and resources, including community events, mindfulness initiatives, and the Search Inside Yourself (SIY) Program. The program is committed to ensuring that every member of our community has access to the support they need to thrive, as part of Rutgers Health's ongoing efforts to promote a psychologically safe work environment. Check out resources here, and to sign up for SIY or to learn more, contact Reka.

People of Rutgers Health: Reka Somodi

Senior Director for the Promotion of Well-Being

What is your favorite part about being part of the Rutgers Health community?

The engagement that everyone embodies and the passion with which our community approaches their projects and work. This community truly finds meaning in the work.

How do you envision the Well-Being programs, such as the Search Inside Yourself (SIY) and MyRutgers Health Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence Community, contributing to a culture of well-being at Rutgers Health?

Workplace culture is deeply impacted by how we connect and interact with one another. SIY and other mindfulness based initiatives aim to first examine how we speak to ourselves to ultimately understand and optimize why and how we speak to one another. These programs impact the fabric that weaves us all together for the greater good.

Professional Well-Being Survey

Faculty and staff are encouraged to take the Professional Well-being Survey, part of the Healthcare Professional Well-being Academic Consortium. By taking a few minutes to complete the survey, you will contribute to meaningful changes that can improve your daily work experience and benefit the entire Rutgers Health community.

For clinicians, survey here. For educators, scientists and non-clinicians, survey here .

A Research Powerhouse

Mental Health First-Aid Training May Enhance Mental Health Support in Prison Settings

A recent study from the School of Public Health reveals that Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training can play a critical role in improving mental health support within prison settings. The research found that correctional staff who received MHFA training were more adept at identifying and responding to mental health crises among incarcerated individuals. These findings suggest that implementing MHFA training could lead to more effective mental health interventions in prisons, ultimately enhancing the well-being of those in custody.

Discover more

That Online Discount Code from Your Favorite Influencer for "Miracle" Mushrooms or Vitamins Isn’t Your Key to Health

Perhaps it’s time to think twice before adding that supplement you saw on TikTok to your shopping cart. A study conducted by researchers at Rutgers School of Public Health warns that these products are not regulated by the FDA and are often promoted by paid social media influencers, many of whom push unproven health claims about the supplements and services they endorse.

A Gun Safety Paradox: Study Finds Some Precautions Linked to Riskier Storage Practices

Researchers have found that parents who actively teach their children how to handle or shoot firearms are more likely to store loaded guns in unsecured locations.

"Some parents may believe that modeling responsible firearm use negates the need for secure storage,” said Jennifer Paruk, the study's lead author and a postdoctoral researcher at the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center. “But storing firearms securely is a part of firearm safety."

More Research at Rutgers Health

Researchers Aim to Pull Back the Curtain on Long COVID in Kids

Researchers Explore Health-Promoting Behaviors of African American and Black Immigrant Men

Study of Different Autism Types Finds Shared Mechanism That May Respond to Drugs

Clinical Care

Supporting Public Health: Immunization Standards and Resources for Providers

Vaccination is a key public health tool to protect individuals and communities from serious diseases. The New Jersey Department of Health’s Vaccine Preventable Disease Program provides Immunization Standards and Job Aids to help healthcare providers ensure patients follow recommended vaccination schedules. These resources support high standards of care and operational efficiency.

More Information

Wellness Resources for Students

Rutgers Health offers a range of resources to support student mental health and wellness. Students can access Student Health Services and Counseling Services, including the Uwill app for tailored mental health support. Peer support is available through Togetherall, a digital platform for peer-to-peer mental health connections. Additionally, a comprehensive Wellness Programming suite is under development, featuring activities like arts and crafts, physical exercise, and healthy cooking.

Rutgers Health University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC) also offers a Student Wellness Program.

Health Education Matters

Bringing Home the Bronze

Rutgers Health has become the first in the nation to receive the AAAS SEA Change Biomedicine Bronze award, recognizing its commitment to advancing inclusion and health equity in STEM fields. This historic achievement highlights the institution's dedication to fostering a diverse and thriving faculty, aligning with its broader strategic goals.

Suicide Prevention Month at Rutgers Health

September is Suicide Prevention Month and Rutgers Health is dedicated to raising awareness and destigmatizing conversations around suicide, providing support, and fostering a community of understanding and care for our faculty, staff, and learners. Visit our new Suicide Prevention Month landing page, where you will find links to vital resources, a calendar of in-person and virtual events such as Recognizing and Managing Suicide Risk in Healthcare Settings, discussions and workshops, registering for a local community 5k, and more.

A Milestone in Youth Mental Health Healing and Recovery

Rutgers recently marked a major milestone in youth mental health with the ribbon cutting of the Youth Behavioral Health Center, a collaboration involving Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care and the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology. The center aims to provide critical support for adolescents through comprehensive healing and recovery services and is the first in the state to be backed by a university or college.

Rutgers Health Names New Dean to Lead School of Nursing

Angela Starkweather, an accomplished nurse-scientist and clinician with extensive higher education experience, has been named dean of the Rutgers School of Nursing. Formerly, she served as assistant dean of research development at the University of Florida College of Nursing.

Many thanks for Linda Flynn, who retired this year as dean. Be sure to read the latest cover story of the Rutgers Nursing magazine, which celebrates her legacy.

Joy at Work Mini Grant Program

Many in our community are familiar with the Rutgers Health Joy at Work grants, which support projects that promote a culture of well-being in the work environment. The grant program was accepted to be part of the 2024 International Conference on Physician Health, as a presentation titled, Building a Community of "Joy at Work" Mini-Grant Awardees: Using the Power of Connections to Promote Sustainable Well-being Initiatives at the Local and Organizational-levels.

Rutgers Health in the News

OPINION: As a Medical Student and an Air Force Second Lieutenant, I See Value in Combining Medical Schools

HELIX Marks Phase One Topping-off Milestone

Alcohol, Red Meat, Sugar and Soda are Linked to Poor Health. But You Don't Need to Swear Them Off Entirely

Why Your First Year After Discontinuing a Statin Can Be Deadly

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