School of Medicine Peer Support Program

You're not alone. We are here to support each other.

We've all faced difficult cases or circumstances—whether due to complex clinical situations or the emotional toll of cumulative, distressing events. In these moments, support from peers can make a meaningful difference.

The CU Thrive: Office for Well-being Peer Support Program fosters emotional well-being and resilience by offering confidential, compassionate support from trained colleagues. Rooted in the belief that shared experiences can be powerful drivers of healing and growth, the program provides a safe, nonjudgmental space to process the emotional impact of challenging or distressing workplace events. Scroll to learn more or request peer support today.

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Connect with a Peer Supporter

Individuals may either submit a request for peer support or reach out directly to a peer supporter of their choosing. Take a moment to review our list of trained peer supporters and consider reaching out today or view the steps below to learn more about the process to request peer support.

We understand it can be difficult to take the first step, but know that your colleagues are here for you and are ready, willing, and honored to offer their support.

1. After submitting a request for peer support, the Peer Support Champion will contact you to help decide the best match for support.

2. The Peer Support Champion will connect you with your Peer Supporter. You will decide the best way to engage with your Peer Supporter (e.g. in person, phone, zoom, etc.).

3. You can decide with your Peer Supporter if one discussion is enough, or you'd like to have a follow up conversation.

4. Rest assured that no records are kept, and everything is private and confidential.

Key Principles

Confidentiality

All peer support conversations are confidential, ensuring that individuals feel safe to share their experiences without fear of judgement or repercussions. Confidentiality builds trust and encourages openness.

Accessibility

Our goal is to ensure that peer support is readily accessible to all faculty members, delivered in a timely manner, and tailored to meet the diverse needs of individuals across different departments, roles and career stages.

Voluntary Participation

Participation in peer support is always voluntary, ensuring that individuals seek support only when they are ready and comfortable to do so.

Consistency

Centralized training for our peer supporters ensures a consistent, high-quality experience for faculty members—regardless of department or location—while preserving the integrity and impact of the program.

Continuous Improvement

The peer support program is regularly evaluated and improved based on feedback, engagement metrics, and evolving needs, ensuring its ongoing effectiveness and relevance.

Institutional Support

Supported by institutional leadership, the Peer Support Program fosters a culture of psychological safety, well-being, and meaningful peer connection. While the program is guided by a shared institutional framework and goals, departments retain the flexibility to determine if they implement outreach efforts, enabling a tailored approach to promoting a healthy and resilient environment for faculty.

FAQ

Peer support typically takes the form of a confidential, one-on-one conversation between colleagues using the Ask, Listen, Connect framework to allow for safe discussion to help process emotional response to adverse events we experience in our work. The goal is not to diagnose or provide therapy, but to offer a safe, empathetic space where individuals can process their responses to distressing events, build resilience, and feel less alone.

These situations may include but are not limited to:

Any work-related situation leaving you adversely impacted
Unexpected death
Difficult diagnoses
Serious safety events
Quality/Safety events resulting in additional investigation (Root Cause Analysis or Apparent Cause Analysis)
Professional Standards Committee referral
Difficult interactions with patients, families, or colleagues

Reaching out for peer support offers you a confidential and empathetic space to process the emotional challenges inherent in medical practice. Whether dealing with a difficult patient outcome, workplace stress, or feelings of burnout, connecting with a trained colleague who understands your unique pressures can provide meaningful relief and perspective. Peer support fosters psychological safety, reduces isolation, and promotes well-being—helping you feel cared for, not judged. It’s not therapy; it’s a conversation with someone who has “been there” and is ready to listen. By seeking peer support, you are taking a proactive step toward resilience and a healthier professional life.

Healthcare workers regularly face emotionally and physically demanding situations and are particularly vulnerable to distress following unanticipated adverse events. Without timely support, this can result in insomnia, anxiety, withdrawal, physical symptoms, and even departure from the workforce (Scott, 2009; Wu, 2000). Supporting team members in the aftermath of such events is essential—not only to promote personal well-being and emotional safety, but also to uphold patient safety and professional sustainability.

Peer support is especially critical in academic medicine, where faculty navigate high emotional, intellectual, and clinical demands. By offering a confidential space to process difficult experiences—such as patient loss, medical errors, or cumulative stress—peer support reduces burnout, mitigates isolation, and combats stigma. It fosters emotional resilience, strengthens reflective practice, and reinforces adaptive coping skills, enabling faculty to sustain meaningful and effective careers.

Beyond individual benefits, peer support strengthens collegial relationships and fosters a culture of connection and belonging. It enhances faculty well-being while equipping them to model healthy coping strategies for learners. Ultimately, peer support contributes to a psychologically safe and empathetic academic environment—advancing professional growth, retention, and institutional excellence.

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of peer support, ensuring that conversations remain private and fostering a safe space where faculty can speak openly without fear of judgment or professional repercussions.

Confidentiality in peer support is only broken under specific, limited circumstances—typically when there is a duty to report. This includes situations where:

There is a risk of harm to self or others
There is suspicion of abuse or neglect (e.g., of a minor, elder, or vulnerable adult)
There are concerns about impaired professional performance that could endanger patient safety
Mandatory reporting laws or institutional policies require disclosure

Peer supporters are trained to recognize these situations and are expected to consult appropriate institutional resources (e.g., risk management, legal, or designated reporting channels) when necessary. All other conversations remain strictly confidential to protect psychological safety and trust.

"We all understand how vulnerable we are as surgeons when an outcome is not what we hoped for. I am so glad I can help my colleagues when they are in need, and I feel inspired listening to how other professionals navigate and overcome difficult times in their career."

-CU Anschutz Peer Support Program Participant

"Participating in the peer support program has been a meaningful source of support throughout my career. Having a space to connect with someone who understands the unique challenges of healthcare has helped me feel less alone and more comfortable navigating the ups and downs of this journey. It has been reassuring to know that I can share my experiences without fear of judgment and receive support from someone who genuinely understands. I’m grateful for this program, and I would encourage any of my colleagues to take advantage of this resource."

-CU Anschutz Peer Support Program Participant

Become a Peer Supporter

Peer Supporters often report that the experience is deeply meaningful. They feel they’re making a positive difference, serving a greater purpose, and developing a stronger sense of self-awareness. If you're interested in becoming a Peer Supporter at CU Anschutz School of Medicine, we’d love for you learn more. Our program includes a 2-hour training session where you'll gain practical tools and skills to support colleagues through challenging experiences. Expand the sections below to learn more, and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or to express your interest.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Jenny Reese.

Criteria for Peer Supporters:

Affiliation: Must be a faculty member or medical staff provider in good standing, with no ongoing professionalism or practice concerns.

Endorsement: Participation must be endorsed by the individual’s section head and/or other relevant section leaders.

Nomination: May be nominated by colleagues

Trust and Approachability: Recognized by peers as a trusted, approachable colleague—someone others would feel comfortable turning to for support.

Commitment to Program Values: Peer Supporters are expected to uphold the values and expectations of the Office for Well-being Peer Support Network, including:
- Participating in program education, training, and curriculum offerings when feasible
- Gathering and relaying feedback to support program improvement
- Sharing relevant program updates and opportunities with their departments

Psychological Safety: Help foster a psychologically safe environment in which faculty feel comfortable expressing concerns and seeking support.

Inclusive Practice: Demonstrate respect for all individuals and a commitment to fostering a supportive environment that values diverse perspectives and lived experiences—consistent with institutional values and applicable federal and state laws.

All Peer Supporters complete a 2-hour training session focused on peer support principles and coaching-based conversations, facilitated by Dr. Jenny Reese and/or designated faculty facilitators. Ongoing skill-building and check-in sessions are offered periodically to reinforce best practices and provide continued support.

The training includes:

Core peer support skills- including empathetic listening, thoughtful question-asking, and selective sharing of personal experiences to foster connection and trust

Best practices endorsed by Legal Affairs and Risk Management to minimize the risk of conversations being discoverable or used in litigation

Clear guidance on mandatory reporting requirements and how to respond to concerning or high-risk situations

Resources and referral pathways for additional support when needed

Emphasis on confidentiality and psychological safety- creating a safe, supportive environment for colleagues seeking help

An active referral and outreach program is essential to ensuring that peer support is truly accessible and effective—especially following adverse events or emotionally challenging circumstances. While having trained peer supporters available is important, data suggest that faculty often face barriers to seeking help on their own.

That’s why proactive outreach—initiated by clinical or organizational leaders who are already part of existing event reporting processes—can make a critical difference.

Offering peer support early, rather than waiting for someone to ask, can help mitigate emotional distress before it escalates and create a more supportive and psychologically safe clinical culture.

The Office for Well-being is here to help departments develop a referral and outreach process tailored to your division, section, or department specific needs. We offer consultation, implementation support, and customizable resources—including email scripts, promotional templates, and outreach materials—to help your department launch effectively and sustainably. Our goal is to set you up for success from day one.