Medical facility designates forward-thinking management squad for wellness division
## A New Era of Well-being at The University of Rochester Medical Center
The University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) has taken a significant step towards prioritizing the well-being of its healthcare professionals and student populations with the appointment of Dr. Jessica Shand and Dr. S. Craig Rooney as the Associate Chief Wellbeing Officer and Chief Wellbeing Officer (CWO), respectively.
Dr. Shand, who began her career working on wellness issues at the grassroots level in the Department of Pediatrics, brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her new role. Prior to this, she served as an associate professor in Pediatrics, Health Humanities, and Bioethics at URMC since 2013. Dr. Rooney, who will take up the position of CWO starting February 2024, comes with extensive experience in well-being initiatives, having served in a similar role at the University of Missouri.
Their joint mission is to articulate a strategic plan for wellbeing at URMC, focusing on creating a work environment where every person feels valued and safe. To achieve this, they will lead the first institution-wide Wellbeing office at URMC, overseeing a strong team dedicated to the well-being efforts.
### The Role of the Chief Wellbeing Officer
The CWO is tasked with developing and implementing comprehensive well-being strategies that address the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of medical staff, students, and faculty. Key responsibilities include strategic planning, collaboration with various departments, providing training and education, ensuring mental health support, conducting research, and evaluating the effectiveness of implemented programs.
### Achievements and Goals
The new CWO aims to build on existing achievements, such as the successful implementation of well-being programs, increased awareness about the importance of well-being, and reduction in burnout rates. Future goals include the expansion of well-being initiatives, integration with community resources, technology integration, and incorporation of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles.
### Collaborative Approach
Recognizing that wellness is a larger issue than one leader can take on alone, Dr. Rooney and Dr. Shand will begin to map out a comprehensive data-driven approach to problem solving. They will work closely with the medical center's equity and inclusion efforts, and advance professional fulfillment, health, and wellbeing across URMC's clinical, education, and research missions.
The partnership with Dr. Shand acknowledges her passion for caring for her colleagues and the valuable work she has done at the medical center. Dr. Rooney was drawn to URMC by its spirit of innovation, the energy of its people, and its collaborative decision-making processes.
With Dr. Rooney also serving as a vice president at URMC and reporting directly to CEO Mark Taubman, MD, and Dr. Shand serving as the associate CWO, the future of well-being at URMC is in capable hands. The new CWO will move to Rochester with his husband and dog, ready to embark on this exciting new chapter.
- Dr. Rooney, in his new role as Chief Wellbeing Officer (CWO), will focus on education and self-development by providing training and education to medical staff, students, and faculty at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC).
- Under their joint mission, Dr. Shand and Dr. Rooney aim to improve mental health by conducting research, ensuring mental health support, and reducing burnout rates at URMC.
- To foster a healthier and more productive workplace, the new CWO plans to integrate fitness and exercise, health and wellness, and workplace-wellness initiatives into the strategic plan for wellbeing at URMC.
