Wellness and Resilience

Department of Pediatric Annual Report 2022 BannerThe mission of our POWER (Promoting Overall Well-being Engagement and Resilience) in Pediatrics initiative is to support individuals and groups in our department as we navigate the stressors in our system through programs and initiatives that will reach and support everyone in Pediatrics. POWER’s vision is to create a departmental culture of well-being, engagement, and resilience with the following values: 

• Empowering every individual to take an active role in building a community-oriented and supportive environment 
• A multi-level, multidisciplinary effort to prevent burnout and moral injury 
• Unifying well-being efforts across the department, including paying attention to what has worked at other institutions 
• Engaging the science of well-being, including the principles of CBT, DBT, and trauma-informed care for our community at large 
• An evidence-based approach to measure the impact of programs and initiatives  

Initially, department leadership launched POWER in Pediatrics in January 2020 to support our health care providers and learners through the challenges and stressors anticipated in our system as we transitioned to a new electronic record, EPIC. The department was fortunate to have POWER in place at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and has grown POWER’s activities to navigate  the department’s needs and meet new challenges. 

POWER Advisory Board 

The interdisciplinary POWER Advisory Board, with representation from multiple divisions and disciplines, continues to promote and support well-being initiatives throughout the department. The board co-chairs, supported by Jordan S. Orange, MD, PHD; William M. Runkle, FACHE, MBA, MHA; and Marina Catallozzi, MD, MSCE, are: 

• Michelle Bombacie, MS Dipl. Ac. (NCCAOM), Manager, Integrative Therapies Program, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, & Stem Cell Transplant 
• Anita Patel, MPH, Deputy Department Administrator (Pediatrics)/Chief Operating Officer 
• Art Smerling, MD, faculty in Pediatric Critical Care and Hospital Medicine 
• Amelia Warshaw, MD, PGY3 Resident and one of the Residency Wellness leads 

Advisory Board Members: Dara Steinberg, PhD (Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant); Tina Leone, MD (Neonatology); Julie Khlevner, MD (Gastroenterology); Sabrina Law, MD (Cardiology); Susanne Bifano, MPS, LCAT, ATR-BC, MSEd (Child Life);Kanwal Farooqi, MD (Cardiology). 

Board co-chairs meet regularly to develop a range of activities to engage our pediatric clinicians, staff, and learners. Additionally, POWER co-chairs  meet quarterly  with the Columbia University Irving Medical Center cross-campus Wellness Leadership Team, led by Lourival Baptista, MD, to increase our capacity and resources in wellness and support. 

2024 Initiatives 

This past year the POWER team supported the following initiatives and programs: 

Maslach Burnout Index and Areas of Worklife Survey 

The first wave of the Department of Pediatrics' Maslach Burnout Index (MSBI) and Areas of Worklife Survey (AWS) overlapped with the start of the pandemic, and in 2022 learners, staff, and faculty in the department had a second opportunity to fill out the survey and other items related to departmental well-being. This data, in conjunction with CUIMC center-wide collected data, informs the POWER team about the changing needs of our faculty and staff, including how to support individual wellness and create a scaffolding within the department to amplify connection and gratitude. Third survey coming in 2025! 

The Healthy Monday Employee Wellness Initiative 

The Healthy Monday Employee Wellness Initiative offered to faculty, trainees, and staff across CUIMC and the Columbia School of Nursing (CUSON) staff and faculty, was a 24-week prospective cohort study, delivered in two cohorts between Fall 2022 – Fall 2023 

Content reflected evidence-based mind-body practices, including videos filmed by CUIMC experts. The program assessed the impact of weekly recommended self-care practice on attitude toward self-care, stress, and burnout through a post-program retrospective survey. Demographics and engagement with web and video traffic data were collected.

Demographics:

• 50% clinical, 50% non-clinical roles 
• Mid-age participants 
• <25 years in healthcare role 
• Majority female and non-Hispanic 
• About 50% white 

Results 

• 99 participants completed the post-program retrospective survey—67 answered at least one question and 46 answered demographic questions 
• Perceived stress and importance of self-care to well-being were found to be statistically significant self-reported benefits 
• Mean score for perceived stress: 1.61 to 1.48 (range: 0 – 4) 
• Importance of self-care to well-being: percentage after program was completed is higher for ‘extremely’ category (33.3% to 48.9%) 
• Participants rated their likelihood to recommend the program to a friend or colleague at an average score of 6.02 (range: 0 – 10) 

Engagement 

• Web page visits: 3,444  
• Video views: 438 

Integrative Therapies and POWER Lerner Fellowship Pilot Grant in Employee Wellness 

The Department of Pediatrics, POWER, and the Integrative Therapies Program invited Child Health faculty, residents, and fellows to submit their project ideas (either individualized interventions or structured programming) for a department-wide initiative to become a Lerner Fellow.  

In 2024, the first two awardees, Danielle Ahn, MD (Associate Professor of Pediatrics), for her proposal of CALM: Cultivating a Lifetime of Mindfulness in Pediatrics and Sivan Kinberg, MD (Assistant Professor of Pediatrics), for her proposal of The HEROES Room: Healthy Environment to Recharge and Optimize Energy and Spirit, received IRB approval and have launched their studies! Results to come in 2025. 

Disseminating POWER  

POWER Knitting Circle 

The circle started meeting January 2024, bi-monthly, in-person in PH17 conference room and via zoom. 45 members responded to the initial announcement; anywhere from 3-15 knitters join each circle. It provides a lovely opportunity to connect, create, and unwind together. Knitting caps to be donated to the NICU with a goal of 85! Collaborating with Knitted Blessings, a non-profit organization through a physician at Texas Children’s, who will donate and send hypoallergenic wool and teach how to knit hats. (Special thanks to Stephanie Lovinsky-Desir, MD and Patrisha Woolard, MD, for their knitting tutelage). 

Pediatric Resident & Fellow Appreciation Day  

POWER hosted a Resident & Fellow Appreciation Day including on-site chair massage and acupuncture for the pediatric residents and fellows.  3 POWER Massage therapists helped create an oasis in the resident lounge/Education Suite with music, aromatherapy, and massage chairs arranged in a circular fashion, fostering a community of well-being. Flyers included information on the therapeutic benefit of essential oils with a QR code linking to integrative health stress reduction practices. 

Valentine’s Appreciation Day  

Over 100 Valentines were sent to colleagues, staff & friends on February 14th throughout the Department to show appreciation. The administrative staff organized a Valentine’s celebration on PH-17 with sweet treats, joyfulness, hot chocolate and whipped cream!  

Juneteenth March (5K Run/Walk/Roll) 

On June 19th, Dr. Orange and 15 members of the Department of Pediatrics marched together through Central Park in POWER t-shirts designed by Hannah Pai. All proceeds went to the Harlem Center, a community center offering services to 30+ CBOs from across the 5 boroughs of New York City to provide community support services.  

Velocity 

• 13  P.O.W.E.R Pediatric Pedalers participated in the Velocity ride (Columbia’s ride to end cancer) through Hudson Valley, New York. The team goal was $500, $3,111 was out total raised. There was a post-ride Wellness area with yoga mats and foam rollers to alleviate any anticipated soreness.  
•  2 rode 100K: Sarah Kleinknecht, MD, Clinical Fellow PGY4, Division Heme- Onc, and Matthew Anderson. 
• 3 rode 50K: Daniel S. Hirsch, MD, FAAP, Division of Neonatology 
• Michelle J. Bombacie, MS, Lac, Program Manager Integrative Therapies, Division Heme Onc, rode with my friend Kathy Welker who I performed with in a European tour of West Side Story back in my theater days! 30-year friendship shared 30-mile Velocity!  
• 2 registered for the 15k: Hannah Pai and Dr. Gabby Estevez 
• 7 participated “Velocity your way”

Highlights 

The route was beautiful! There were a few tough hills, but it was worth it! Hannah enjoyed the face painting and Kathy loved the speeches before and after the ride. She said they were inspiring, and Columbia has a great community! Kenna Bouvet, Research Integrative Therapist, Division Heme-Onc, and family walked 2 miles along the Gantry Plaza State Park Loop in Long Island City waterfront. Pooja Vyas, Project Coordinator of Integrative Therapies hiked Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge for hours with her family. They really enjoyed exploring the tranquility of the refuge and spending quality time together. 

Growing Our Reach 

In an effort to expand the outreach of the POWER initiative, we collaborated with other programs at Columbia and continued to establish alliances with local partners in the community. Collaborators and projects in 2024 included: 

CUIMC Human Resources Well-Being Working Group Committee

POWER and Integrative Therapies co-created and hosted CUIMC’s first Well-Being Fair: Well-Being at the Heart of CUIMC, located in the Alumni Auditorium/Schafer Gallery on February 7, 2024.  

• Tables included: aromatherapy, gratitude board, coloring mural, heart healthy nutrition tips, snacks, and QR codes linking to evidence-based mindbody stress reduction practices.  
• Pop-up tent included 3 POWER massage therapists who provided 10-minute chair massages for attendees.  
• Hosted Integrative Health Workshops: Hands-only CPR, Community Style Acupuncture, Aromatherapy, and EFT Tapping.  

POWER and Creative Arts Therapy co-created a Nature Experience for CUIMC’s Mental Health Awareness Fair in October 2024. 

• Designed an immersive nature room inviting participants to engage all Five Senses: Listening to birds chirping and waterfalls, touching moss and stones from the Hudson River, smelling aromatherapy nature blend of cedarwood, fir and lemongrass, observing the green surroundings and scenery, and tasting herbal  tea following the experience.  
• QR code linking to Forest Bathing/Shinrin-yoku, the practice or process of therapeutic relaxation where one spends time in a forest or nature environment, focusing on sensory engagement to connect with nature. Research shows Forest Bathing improves mental health and mood, helps decrease blood pressure and stress, and boosts the immune system. (Special thanks to Melanie A. Gold, DO and LuAnn Cibik from Inner Harmony). 
• Participants created a Community Moss Art Panel to be displayed in V&S medical student lounge. (Special thanks to Susanne Bifano, MPS, LCAT, ATR-BC and interns).  

CUIMC Human Resources-Benefits and Integrative Therapies

POWER, in collaboration with CUIMC Human Resources-Benefits and Integrative Therapies team, hosted 2 Massage Therapists, Community Style Acupuncture and Emotional Freedom Technique workshops for each HR Benefits Expo at CUIMC, Morningside, and Manhattanville campuses. Further emphasizing the importance of self-care on well-being. (Special thanks to Melanie A. Gold, DO). 

Office of Student Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

In collaboration with the Office of Student Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, POWER created and hosted the State Pre-College Enrichment Program: Discover Your Future Career; Integrative Medicine section. 

• Dynamic event to empower students to explore careers in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) and healthcare. 
• Aimee Layton, PhD; Michelle J. Bombacie, LAc; Kenna Bouvet, LAc; Donya Rhett, PhD; Melanie Gold, DO; Ryan Smith, LAc; and Rachel Groth, MPH; co-facilitated three 45-minute workshops where students learned about their career paths and engaged in interactive activities related to their expertise.  
• Topics: Exercise Physiology and Nutrition, Integrative Medicine and Public Health, and Adolescent Health and Wellness Using the Power of Technology. 

Teamwork Makes the Green Work! POWER Launches an Eco-Enterprise 

In an effort to reduce the Department of Pediatrics’ carbon footprint, the POWER team launched the POWER Green Initiative, which will support planet friendly behaviors across divisions and teams. As we brainstorm ways to get everyone involved, our initial effort is Partying with the Planet, a project to reduce waste during holiday celebrations.   

The POWER team sent an email request for divisions’ holiday celebration date/time. POWER Green then provides reusable serving implements, biodegradable napkins, and a compost bin for food scraps. A volunteer from each division or someone on the POWER team will help clean up reusable serving implements and compost any food scraps at a nearby NYC compost bin.   

What can you do? 

• Encourage division members to bring their own silverware 
• Use wrapping eco-alternatives: fabric wraps, environmentally friendly bags or paper, or one of the many reusable shopping totes we have all collected 
• Drop wrapping paper and recyclables in a blue recycling bin 
• Send us pictures showing how your group reduced waste at the gathering! 

What to Expect in 2025

Cheers to a Greener Season: Bring a Mug; Share the Love. Clean out those cabinets at home by donating mugs to our central kitchens and pantries so everyone can use these for water/coffee/tea. Reach out to the POWER team (email here) if you’d like to get involved and stay tuned for more initiatives!