Peers in Anesthesiology Supporting a Fair Environment

Peers in Anesthesiology Supporting a Fair Environment (PIA SAFE) is a peer-based program in the Department of Anesthesiology aimed to help address concerns about negative behaviors, conflicts, and microaggressions experienced by members of the department.

Our department is continually working toward building a positive and safe culture that creates an environment in which everyone can thrive and actualize their potential.

In collaboration with the university-wide SAFE program, our department will further curate content and training to assure our members champion positive culture in all areas.

Join PIA SAFE

Upcoming Events

    Read our PIA SAFE Newsletters

    July 2023
    April 2023
    January 2023

    PIA SAFE Champions

    PIA SAFE Champions are available to provide guidance and counsel for those wishing to speak to someone following a conflict, not to report concerns of mistreatment or unprofessional behavior. To report a concern, please utilize the School of Medicine’s Safe Reporting program.

    Meet our champions
    Enyo Ablordeppey, MD, MPH, FACEP, FCCM, Associate Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity and InclusionBernadette Henrichs, PhD, CRNA, CCRN, CHSE, Director, CRNA Education and Research; Director, Nurse Anesthesia ProgramClare Ridley, MD, Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology
    Heather Acuff, MD, PhD, Resident – ASAP ScholarErin Herrera, CRNA, Associate Vice Chair for Well-Being; Assistant Director for CRNA ActivitiesFurqaan Sadiq, MD, CCM Fellow
    Michael S. Avidan, MBBCh, FCA SA Head of the Department of AnesthesiologyKirin Khan, MD, ResidentJessica Sanford, MD, Instructor
    Abby Bisch, DNP, CRNAHelga Komen, MD, Pod 5 LeaderElvira Sayfutdinova, MSN, CRNA
    Kara Bockius, Fellowship CoordinatorJoe Kras, MD, DDS, Associate Professor of AnesthesiologyKendall Smith, MD, PhD, Assistant Residency Program Director, Residency Affairs
    Maggie Bradley, CRNA, Team Leader in PVTChris Lee, MD, PhD, MBA, Associate Professor of AnesthesiologyMel Somerick, CRNA
    Kelly Chilson, MD, Professor of AnesthesiologyAndrea Liefer, CRNAKaty Spal, CRNA
    Brittany Christensen, Staffing AdministratorHerman Luther, MD, ResidentAmy Stabenow, Director Opl Data Intg
    Sarah Cooley, ACNPBruno Maranhao, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of AnesthesiologyJennifer Stephan, SRNA
    Meghan Creed, PhD, Associate Professor of AnesthesiologyScott Markowitz, MD, Vice Chair for Professional Development and Diversity, Equity and InclusionParita Sutaria, MD, Resident
    Taylor Crittenden, CRNAAllison Mitchell, MD, Residency Program DirectorBrian Torres, CRNA, DNP
    Anne DeSchryver, JD, Director of Business OperationsRachel Moquin, EdD, Director of Learning and DevelopmentBrandon White, MD, Resident
    Avi Dobrusin, MD, Chief ResidentKhatera Najrabi, CRNAJames Wirthlin, MD, Instructor
    Anne Drewry, MD, MS, Vice Chair & Chief of Critical Care MedicineHunter Niemeyer, CRNAMeghan Woodham, SRNA
    Cat Foster, MD, Assistant Professor of AnesthesiologyDolores Njoku, MD, Vice Chair & Chief of Pediatric AnesthesiologyAmy Yelm, Patient Safety Coordinator
    Bethany Geisler, CRNACorrin Noel, Director of Business Operations
    Rob Gereau, PhD, Vice Chair for ResearchUchenna Ofoma, MD, MS, Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
    Michele Grunwald, Business DirectorTodd Rackohn, MD, Resident
    Mike Havenar, MS, Compliance and Outreach Lead Nurse Practitioner, Critical CareAndrea Reidy, MD, Director of QA/QI
    Melissa Hector-Greene, MD, PhD, Resident & ASAP ScholarShawn Reynolds, MSPA PA-C, APP Lead

    FAQs

    What is a PIA SAFE Champion?

    PIA SAFE Champions are individuals who possess the motivation, skills, knowledge, and courage to be a catalyst for cultural change!

    • PIA SAFE champions are foremost a resource and ally for colleagues.
    • They are here to listen, support, and guide you should you have a concern or need help.
    • They are trained in tools and techniques to be an upstander. They are able to constructively intervene and support colleagues who experience or witness bullying, abuse, microaggressions, and other events that erode the psychological safety of our institution.
    • They are trained in providing feedback to support the success and continual growth of our team members
    • They are educated in the systems and resources offered by the university and department for additional methods of support.
    How can I connect with a PIA SAFE Champion?

    There are two ways to connect with a Champion:

    1. contact Erin Herrera, who will assign a Champion to you, or
    2. contact a Champion above
    What is required of me to become a PIA SAFE Champion?

    We know everyone is busy, so our goal for PIA SAFE training is to maximize impact for your time commitment. Much of our training, exercises, and outreach can be done on your own time.

    PIA SAFE training begins with 10 weeks of short weekly engagement exercises. These only take a few minutes to complete but provide you with skills, education, and exercises to get you thinking.

    At the end of the 10 weeks, we will have an in-person retreat where we come together with other PIA SAFE champions to practice skills and learn more about feedback and upstanding

    After your retreat, you will receive a monthly newsletter with updates, tips, and further engagement activities, events, and strategies.

    Complete the form below if you’re interested in becoming a PIA SAFE Champion!

    Join PIA SAFE

    Are you interested in joining PIA SAFE to address mistreatment and unprofessional behaviors in the learning environment? 

    We encourage all who want to champion positive change within our department to become PIA SAFE champions. As a PIA SAFE Champion we will provide you with hands-on, in-person training in the following areas;

    1. Listening skills & navigating difficult conversations 
    2. Bystander & feedback training
    3. Recognizing and addressing microaggressions/microinvalidations/ misclassifications and bias
    4. Recognizing and verbalizing positive behavior to reinforce expectations
    Webform
    PIA Safe Membership