Your Support Powers Peer-to-Peer Connection
Thanks to donor support, the East Valley Foundation launched a dedicated Peer Support Team in 2021 to foster employee well-being through trained volunteers who offer empathetic listening and valuable resources. The diverse 65-member team spans multiple departments, from nursing and pharmacy to spiritual care and social work, ensuring comprehensive support across the organization. Team members actively engage with their colleagues, providing peer support at least five times quarterly while maintaining their skills through regular check-ins, creating a robust network of emotional support throughout the healthcare system.
For Chelsea Griggs, Rehab Therapy Coordinator, joining the Peer Support Team was deeply personal. After experiencing the devastating loss of Dr. James Zozobrado, a beloved mentor and physician in her NICU unit, Chelsea received crucial support from the Crisis Intervention Team.) This experience inspired her to become part of the solution, joining the Peer Support Team to help others navigate similar challenges.
"As caregivers, one of the greatest gifts we can be given is the ability to serve," Chelsea reflects. Her role has become particularly vital as the healthcare community has faced unprecedented challenges, from COVID-19 losses to the personal struggles of staff members. Through it all, she has witnessed firsthand how peer support strengthens the resilience of healthcare workers who remain dedicated to providing compassionate patient care despite their own hardships.
Now celebrating her tenth year with Dignity Health, Chelsea credits programs like the Peer Support Team for creating an environment where caregivers can thrive. Her position as Program Coordinator for Rehabilitation Services, combined with her work in the NICU, allows her to connect with staff across the hospital, expanding her ability to offer support when it's needed most.
"Caring for our caregivers has become one of the greatest sources of joy in my work," Chelsea shares, embodying the program's mission of creating a supportive workplace culture where healthcare professionals can find strength and solace in their peers.
Critical Incident Stress Management
Behind the Scenes: The Team That Helps Our Healthcare Heroes Heal
When healthcare workers face traumatic events, the East Valley Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team of 40 dedicated nurses, social workers, and chaplains stands ready to help them process and heal. Since 2014, this vital program has provided critical emotional support through group debriefs and one-on-one sessions, helping our caregivers cope with the most challenging moments of their work. Thanks to the East Valley Foundation's support, our CISM team continues to be a crucial lifeline, ensuring those who care for others receive the care they need too.
The impact of this team reaches far beyond numbers and statistics. Emergency Department RN Carrie Gonzalez shares a powerful story that led her to join the CISM team. "Years ago, I was the nurse for a trauma case involving a two-year-old boy and his mother," she recalls. "He didn't survive the accident, and we wheeled his bed to his mother's trauma bay so she could hold his hand and say goodbye." That heart-wrenching moment, which left Gonzalez driving home in tears, highlighted the critical need for emotional support in healthcare settings.
The difference was that the CISM team had been established and was available to do a debrief for the staff involved. What we see in our profession is not what the average person sees, and we have to process that.
Carrie Gonzalez, RN
In fiscal year 2024 alone, the team facilitated 20 group debriefs, complemented by numerous one-on-one support sessions. These interventions create a safe space where healthcare workers can process their experiences and emotions in a healthy, constructive manner.
The CISM team's quarterly check-ins ensure that support remains consistent and accessible. As Gonzalez notes, "The impact this team has on the staff and hospitals it supports is immeasurable. My personal experience prompted me to take the training and join the team.”
