What is it about the simplest acts of kindness that we find to be so meaningful? Why do these exchanges remain with us long after the waves of distress have receded? Perhaps it is that, in these moments, we are brought back to baseline—through a smile, a comforting touch, or a sweet offering—and reminded that we matter and are appreciated.
Healthcare-related roles are consistently ranked among the most stressful career paths. These professionals are tasked with meeting the physical demands of caregiving while also absorbing the invisible emotional labor that comes with it.
Peer support initiatives, such as the Holistic Response Team (HRT) at Parkview, embrace a proactive approach to address the adverse effects of frequent and long-term exposure to loss and trauma for nurses and other healthcare professionals. When support is requested, the team dispatches an immediate response. Upon arrival, emotionally or spiritually grounding therapies are carried out by specially trained co-workers to provide comfort to those in need.
We sat down with Carolyn Meyer, RN, Holistic Response Team coordinator and Heidi Elyea-Schulenberg, RN, to catch up on how the program has grown and the impact of their presence.
The Holistic Response Team is made possible in part by donors to the Parkview Foundation. Donor generosity helps purchase supplies and tools needed for rounding on nurses, first responders and staff. You can learn more about the Foundation or make a donation here.
