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Psychiatry Wellness Initiatives
We must always strive to be at the forefront of health and wellness, both in the work we do and in the culture we create for our department. It came to our attention that to support employee wellness we needed dedicated leadership to champion the wellness initiatives of DOPsych. After completing a department-wide search for these roles, we are very excited to announce that Liz Chamberlain, PhD, Dana Kennedy, BA, Shanna Trott, BA, and Emily Muther, PhD have been appointed as the Department of Psychiatry's Wellness Leaders.
The Wellness Leaders' work will focus on establishing a comprehensive baseline measure of wellness in the department, followed by numerous opportunities for employee input, and the creation of corresponding wellness initiatives and departmental policies. Outcomes from these changes will be examined using a continuous evaluation and improvement process, with the aim of improving workplace culture, job satisfaction, employee health, and employee happiness. Please give Liz, Dana, Shanna, and Emily a well-deserved and warm welcome to these exciting new roles!
Meet Your Wellness Leaders
Liz Chamberlain, PhD - Faculty Wellness Leader
Dr. Liz Chamberlain is a Licensed Psychologist and Senior Instructor in the Department of Psychiatry, who also has worked at the CU Wellness Clinic in the CU Anschutz Health and Wellness Center since 2016. She earned her BA in English and Psychology from The University of Michigan in 1991, and graduated with her PhD in Counseling Psychology from The University of North Texas in 2003. Dr. Chamberlain’s work in private practice, university counseling centers and community mental health/family therapy settings, demonstrates her passion for creating wellness across many dimensions of health and in multiple environments. She has focused her clinical work in mindfulness-based interventions (MBSR, MBCT, MSC) and has integrated these evidence-supported therapies and tools to help individuals, couples, and workshop participants learn new ways to see blind spots, navigate change, and construct new narratives. Dr. Chamberlain has developed evidence-supported mindfulness-based wellness programs and workshops at the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center for several departments across CU SOM, CU Denver, CHCO, SOM Alumni, and for the general public. In 2018, Dr. Chamberlain developed a program entitled Practical Mindfulness ® for Helping Professionals: Finding Self-Compassion Everyday that launches the Center’s Caring for the Frontline half-day of wellness. In her personal life, Dr. Chamberlain invests in her own wellness by laughing often with her 14-year-old daughter and her partner of 7 years, doing yoga, cooking, snowshoeing, skiing, hiking, and the occasional IKEA furniture build. Dr. Chamberlain brings excellence and dedication to her new role and we can’t wait to see her elevate our department’s wellness initiatives.
Shanna Trott, BA - Staff Wellness Leader
Shanna Trott received their bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in African and African American studies from Stanford University in 2021. Shanna currently serves as an Academic Services Professional in the Office of Education and Training and is the Co - Director of the Psychiatry Undergraduate Research Program and Learning Experience (PURPLE). They bring nearly 3 years of experience fostering pathways for student success in the mental health field. Their role involves overseeing pathway programs, managing student employees, and providing essential support for training initiatives department wide. Additionally, Shanna serves as the Co-Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Education Subcommittee, and is a contributing member of the larger departmental DEI committee. Shanna enjoys various hobbies, including watching women's soccer, making pottery, and spending time with their cat, Frankie. Shanna is so excited to bring new, diverse wellness initiative to the Department of Psychiatry.
