Protecting the health and well-being of those who protect our own.

As an employee of the Department of Anesthesiology and Washington University, you are a priority in everything we do. You are essential to achieving our missions of research, teaching, and patient care. WashU strives to provide a valuable employee experience – one that helps you thrive at work and outside of work.

Newsletter

View our latest health & wellness newsletter, or check out past versions.

Featured Events

Browse upcoming events and register for those that pique your interest.

Podcast

The Well-developed Podcast bridges the gap between well-being and professional development.

Have you thanked a colleague today?

Take 2 for the Team is an initiative and app designed to promote gratitude and positivity among our anesthesiology department’s team members. This digital peer-to-peer gratitude program encourages us all to take just 2 minutes each day to acknowledge and express gratitude towards a fellow team member.

You can find the app on our departmental INTRAnet, making it accessible to everyone in the department. Using the app is a breeze —simply compose a thank-you note, and your heartfelt “Thank You!” will be sent directly to your colleague’s inbox.

Take 2 today>>


Wellness Outside Work

Below are photos of members of our department engaging and connecting with each other outside of work. Submit photos of you and/or your colleagues engaging in wellness outside of the office, here, so we can spotlight all of our members.


Wellness Champions

Sarah Jaber, DNP, AGACNP

Sarah Jaber, DNP, AGACNP

APP Wellness Champion

My name is Sarah Jaber. I’m an Acute Care NP working mainly in the surgical/trauma ICU & also cover the CTI, 7800 SICU, and EICU. I have been working at Washu for over seven years now and love it, and recently graduated with my doctorate (DNP)! I have one cat and one dog, am currently rehabbing my house, love staying active, and love to travel!

My current goals as a wellness champion would consist of:

  1. bringing more attention to physical and mental health
  2. Identifying active issues related to our workspace, life, current events, etc.

I am always open for conversation with anyone who wants to talk or reach out!

Parita Jani, MD

Parita Jani, MD

Residency Wellness Champion

My name is Parita Jani and I’m one of the rising CA-1s. I grew up in Atlanta, GA, went to undergrad and medical school at UAB in Birmingham, AL, and couples matched here for residency with my husband (current radiology resident)!

Sadia Karani, MD

Sadia Karani, MD

Residency Wellness Champion

My name is Sadia and I’m also a CA-1. I’m originally from Houston went to medical school at UTSW in Dallas and ended up finally leaving Texas for residency. For me, wellness and self-care are essential and a joint effort in residency between residents and the program. As a wellness chair, I hope to optimize wellness at work and increase inclusivity by celebrating other cultural and religious holidays.

Daniel Nieva, MD

Daniel Nieva, MD

Peds Wellness Champion

Dr. Nieva joined the division of pediatric anesthesiology as a fellow in 2007 and stayed on as faculty. “Max” is the proud father of 10.5-year-old twins, Abigail and Andrew. Working with leadership as well as front line team members, his goal is to promote the eight components of a wellness program that engages all members of the pediatric division including admin, CRNAs, NPs, faculty, and fellows.

Whitney Payne

Whitney Payne

Research Wellness Champion

Whitney joined the department right before COVID-19 hit St. Louis in the winter of 2020. With the switch to work from home, she joined the group of wellness champions to try to find creative ways to connect with co-workers virtually and to encourage them to prioritize their own self-care.

“Personally, I love a good hike to see something beautiful in the natural world,” says Whitney. “I think it’s important to support each other, to remind each other that wellness is more than exercising and fad diets, and to remind one another that it’s not about being perfect. Just try!”

Elizabeth Schappe, CRNA

Elizabeth Schappe, CRNA

CRNA Wellness Champion

Meet Elizabeth Schappe, one of our Wellness Champions and CRNA pod leaders in PVT. Elizabeth serves the PVT ORs and the OB anesthesia team. She recently won a grant from the Washington University Wellness Program for exercise equipment for the department and hopes to have an exercise room in PVT by the end of 2022.

Aside from work, Elizabeth spends most of her free time exploring the outdoors with her husband and three children.

Ilesha Shah, MD

Ilesha Shah, MD

Residency Wellness Champion

My name is Ilesha Shah, and I am originally from Phoenix, Arizona. I did a BA/MD program in New Jersey and then made my way to WashU for residency. My plans for after residency are to pursue a chronic pain fellowship and hopefully have my own practice one day! In my free time, I like to travel with my husband, work out, and cook.

Alex Shero, AG-ACNP-BC

Alex Shero, AG-ACNP-BC

APP Wellness Champion

I’m Alex Shero and I have been a nurse practitioner with the SICU for almost four years.

My goals as a wellness champion are:

  1. Focusing on how to make individuals in our department feel included in our group
  2. Participating in regular self-care
  3. Finding new resources to promote mental health.

I am excited to support our hard-working APPs with social and wellness opportunities

Jenny Stephan, RN, SRNA

Jenny Stephan, RN, SRNA

SRNA Wellness Champion

My name is Jenny. I am a graduate student at Goldfarb School of Nursing in the DNP- Nurse Anesthesia program as well as a former BJH 4400 Trauma/Surgical ICU nurse.

I enjoy spending my free time cooking new recipes, taking walks around Forest Park, and planning my next trip. The most unique places I’ve traveled to are Iceland and Thailand!

I am enthusiastic about wellness for healthcare workers. Specifically, I am passionate about student registered nurse anesthetist (SRNA) wellness because of the nature of the intense and stressful training. Meghan Woodham and I have championed a Wellness Committee within our program to bring awareness to this issue and improve the well-being of all future SRNAs. We plan on incorporating wellness initiatives and regular programming into the curriculum going forward at Goldfarb School of Nursing.

Meghan Woodham, RN, SRNA

Meghan Woodham, RN, SRNA

SRNA Wellness Champion

My name is Meghan, and I am a senior in Goldfarb’s DNP CRNA program. Prior to anesthesia school, I worked in the Trauma/Neuro ICU at Mercy St. Louis.

My husband and I live in South City with our golden retriever, Gunner. We love experiencing all the fun things the city offers (particularly the Tower Grove Farmer’s Market)!

My current goals as an SRNA wellness champion include:

1. Educating my classmates on resources available to us for mental and physical health.

2. Bringing educational wellness guest speakers to our school. (Upcoming: Imposter Syndrome with Erin Herrera)

3. Helping current students feel empowered to prioritize wellness and find their own unique routine.


Featured Resources

There are many apps, mindfulness resources, online support groups, and other tools to help you cope with challenges. Or maybe you just need a fun podcast recommendation or a book to read. Below are some resources recommended by members of the department.

Applications

Applications

There are many mindfulness and other support apps and tools to help you cope with life’s challenges. Here are a few recommended ones to get you started.

Books & Reading

Books & Reading

Love to read? Your peers do too! Check out a mixture of articles and books your colleagues have recommended, and recommend one in return you know others will love.

COVID-19

COVID-19

Resources for parenting, well-being, and more to help you cope throughout the pandemic.

Podcasts

Podcasts

Need a new podcast for your morning commute? We got you covered with a variety of topics to choose from.

Products

Products

From household and personal items to athletic equipment and pet toys, check out some “must-haves” from members of the department.

Recipes

Recipes

In a recipe rut? Scroll through yummy recipes recommended by your colleagues that your whole family will love!

STL Activities

STL Activities

WashU is nestled in the heart of St. Louis—a vibrant and diverse city with a lot to offer in terms of entrepreneurship, culture, entertainment, sports, and dining. Explore!

Stress & Anxiety

Stress & Anxiety

We all suffer from stress and anxiety at some point in our lives. Take control and check out some resources on how to manage when it feels overwhelming.

Videos

Videos

Posture exercises, yoga flow, walking programs, and more.

Health & Wellness at WashU

The majority of the resources below are organized by WashU’s Human Resources office. Those featured here are key resources for members of our department. Visit the HR website for additional resources to support your health, mental health, wellness, learning, and financial wellbeing.

Back-Up Care Advantage Program

Back-Up Care Advantage Program

This program can help you balance life and work by providing back-up child/elder adult care.

BJC EPAP

BJC EPAP

To provide exceptional care and improve the wellbeing of the people and organizations we serve through education and counseling.

BJC Peer Advocate Newsletter

BJC Peer Advocate Newsletter

Are you signed up for BJC’s monthly Peer Advocate Program Newsletter? Check out the latest issues to stay up-to-date!

Clinician Peer Support Program

Clinician Peer Support Program

To provide our physicians with confidential, independent, and collegial support and resources for the inevitable clinical and professional challenges they will face during their careers.

EAP Buddy Program

EAP Buddy Program

Are you looking for a way to connect with others on a more regular basis? The Employee Assistance Program has created a “Buddy Program.”  Check Up or Check in with a buddy through this program to support your mental health!

Mental & Emotional Health

Mental & Emotional Health

Find support for your mental and emotional well-being, from counseling and psychiatric services to helpful tools and resources.

Move into Mindfulness

Move into Mindfulness

This program leads you through practical coping skills to manage stress. Watch expert-based videos on key topics for helping people cope with these challenging times. Hosted by WashU Psychiatry faculty.

MyWay to Health Workshops

MyWay to Health Workshops

Participate to learn new information, practice a new skill or connect with colleagues who are passionate about wellness.

Office of the Ombuds

Office of the Ombuds

A confidential resource that provides assistance in resolving university-related concerns and advocates for fair treatment and process.

Suicide and Mental Health Toolkit

Suicide and Mental Health Toolkit

A useful document, especially if you know someone who needs additional support.

Take 2 for the Team

Take 2 for the Team

Take 2 for the Team is an initiative and app designed to promote gratitude and positivity among our anesthesiology department’s team members.

Wellness Webinars

Wellness Webinars

Discover the resources to help you thrive at and outside of work.

Work-Life Support

Work-Life Support

To help you balance your daily life and family care needs, find resources related to special time off, child care and 24/7 work-life support.

WUCare

WUCare

This is a WashU practice dedicated to University employees and their families enrolled in the University-sponsored health plan.

Some images were created by freepik.

Submit a Resource

There are many apps, mindfulness resources, online support groups, and other tools to help us cope with challenges.

If you have a resource you’d like us to feature that department members might benefit from — recipes, books, podcasts, etc. — let us know!