DOM Wellness Program News - July 2026

Welcome to the July newsletter from the DOM Wellness Program. This newsletter is distributed monthly. If you have questions or suggestions for future issues or would like to join the Well-Being Council, please email Jennifer Mosher.

Summer has officially arrived! We hope you are staying cool and taking time to relax and recharge while enjoying activities you love. Be sure to visit the Culture and Community hub on the WashU HR site to learn more about WashU Signature events, designed to help colleagues connect and engage with WashU culture and community activities.

We warmly welcome new faculty members and trainees to the Department of Medicine.

Over the past year, a team of DOM faculty and staff has been working together to organize an awards event that will celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of faculty and staff in the Department of Medicine. We are excited to move forward with this wonderful project. Please be on the lookout for a call for nominations, which will be sent out in mid-July, followed by an awards celebration this fall, with the date still to be determined.

Thank you for all you do to support wellness. We hope you have a wonderful summer!

Rakhee Bhayani, MD
Vice Chair for Wellness and Engagement

Dr. Blaney is an Associate Professor in the Division of Gastroenterology and specializes in clinical luminal gastroenterology and medical education. She joined the DOM Well-Being Council (WBC) when it was founded in December 2022. She wants to help fight burnout, advocate for physician well-being, and identify the best ways to enhance faculty career pathways while sustaining the incredible community at WashU. Dr. Blaney's personal wellness is at its best when she is able to exercise, eat well, and get enough sleep, while staying deeply connected to her mission of caring for her patients, trainees, and family.

Outside of work, Dr. Blaney loves spending time with her family, especially when it involves getting outdoors. These days, that often means cheering at her kids’ weekend soccer games. Some of her favorite memories, though, come from great hikes that combine her love of nature with the benefits of staying active.

OFD Faculty Development Seminar Series
Thursday, July 9, 2026 | 12:00 - 1:00pm | View details
Calling it Fair: Expectations, Evidence, and Effective Feedback
Speaker: Eileen Lee, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Hospital Medicine
OFD Faculty Development Seminar Series
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 | 12:00 - 1:00pm | View details
What an everyday clinician (physician) might not know, but should know about statistics?
Speaker: RJ Waken, PhD, Instructor in Biostatistics
Analytic Lead, Center for Advancing Health Services, Policy & Economics Research (CAHSPER)
DOM New Faculty Orientation
Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | 8:00 - 11:30am | View details
All new or recently hired faculty in the Department of Medicine are encouraged to attend.
Office of Faculty Promotions & Faculty Development
Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 3:30 - 5:00pm | View details
Leading with Insight: Harnessing Emotional Intelligence for Everyday Leadership
The Office of Faculty Promotions & Career Development offers programming to support faculty at every career stage. Check out their calendar of events.

Did you know that WashU Human Resources currently has Caregiver Discussion Groups that provide a supportive space for employees who care for individuals with ADHD and Autism. These groups offer opportunities to connect with fellow caregivers, share experiences, and discuss challenges in a welcoming environment. Each session may include guest speakers who share helpful information about ADHD and Autism, along with resources and strategies to help families advocate for their children and loved ones. The groups also include open discussion time, allowing members to ask questions, exchange ideas, and learn from one another. HR recently launch a new group in 2026 for employees caring for older adults. To find out more about these discussion groups and upcoming meetings and events, visit HR Work-Life & Family Care or contact Amy Dunnegan at FamilyCare@wustl.edu.