Since 2019, we’ve partnered with VA Sunshine Healthcare Network (VISN 8) to integrate our model of self-care and group support into the VA’s Whole Health Coaching program. We’ve trained 300 VISN 8 staff members, and continue to lay the foundation for a sustained mind-body medicine program across the entire healthcare system.
This past August, VISN 8 staff and 11 Faculty—led by Michelle Winslow, Virtual Care Product Line Manager, and Cherise Paulk, Program Analyst—facilitated a virtual Professional Training Program (PTP).
In 5-day training, 38 nurses, social workers, dietitians, psychologists, and program managers across the VISN system learned about the skills their colleagues attest are the “best thing that ever happened to them” and their patients. Trainees from across the U.S. and Puerto Rico overcame language barriers and natural disasters to participate, a testament to our powerful model.
Faculty Jerrol Kimmel, RN, MA wrote a reflection on her experience working with VISN 8 over the last five years, and watching this group self-lead their first training. Read more below.
I just attended the VISN 8 led virtual PTP. The word that comes to me is “proud” with a lot of love mixed in. For the first five years of this program, each PTP group has been co-facilitated by a group of VISN faculty whom we had trained working with Kathy Farah, MD and me, as Clinical Co-Leads. This year, however, each of the 4 mind-body skills groups was led solo. And our VISN 8 faculty rose to the occasion.
This is a team that says “yes” to anything that is asked of them. They are so grateful for Michelle Winslow’s leadership and the entire team is dedicated, committed, enthusiastic. If you ask them, they will tell you that, “CMBM is the best thing that ever happened to them”. They know their own lives have changed… And they know that the lives of their colleagues and the veterans they serve have also been transformed.
The training began on Monday morning, the 12th of August. Dr. Gordon was able to be present at the beginning and lead the group of 38 participants in their first introduction to soft belly breathing. Having Jim show up is always very special to them, like returning to the source of their inspiration. The participants covered the professional landscape, from nurses, to social workers, to program managers, to dietitians and psychologists. Some were attending from other VISNs across the United States.
There were the usual highs and challenges that happen in any of our trainings. Unique to this group were 3 participants from Puerto Rico, experiencing power outages and hospital lockdowns due to the impact of Hurricane Ernesto. One new solo facilitator, Ashley Rush, had a Spanish speaking group member who required an interpreter. Another group member graciously stepped in to interpret. At one point, Ashley asked this group member to simply share in Spanish – which she did and was able to convey her feelings to the rest of the group. This is a testament to the fact that our work is universal; we don’t always understand the language, but we understand the heart.
And David Strickler, another one of our faculty facilitators, had a family emergency and was not able to attend his last group. So Shilpa Shukla, a pharmacist, who had given two of the lectures, stepped in to lead on his behalf and was welcomed with open arms.
The admin team, led by Michelle Winslow and Cherise Paulk, made the training run seamlessly. Our faculty this round included Gloria Gomez, Kellie McGruder-Miller, Ashley Rush and David Strickler. While they also gave lectures, other faculty stepped in to give a few of the presentations: Natasha Hll, Tonya Lewis, Lisa Martin, Adam Phillips, Aneisha Powell, Stacey Cuebas-Fragoso and Ileana Alexander. We also had two interns, Dee Hurtubise and Joseph Lingerfelt, who have mentors and are providing supervision to new facilitators running groups at the VA. They are on track to become faculty for one of the future trainings.
My participation, I have to say, was a little bittersweet. While it was always our intention to empower VISN8 to build a leadership team and to eventually take over leading the trainings and supervision, Kathy and I will miss working so often and closely with these folks whom we feel are our family.
CMBM will however continue to lead the certification process providing trainees in abbreviated (learning groups), working with the papers and on, “intensive” certification ATP.
And a shout out to all those CMBM staff and faculty who have already joined us in providing supervision and training to this amazing crew. They remember you and speak of you. They hear your voices and always feel your ongoing support.
I found myself a little teary during our last faculty meeting… a feeling of love, of loss, of triumph. Like a proud mom.
