Greetings from the Faculty Wellness Program’s new director
Dear colleagues,
As you learned in the Office of the Provost’s most recent faculty newsletter, I am the new director of Northwestern’s Faculty Wellness Program (FWP). I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself and let you know about a wellness initiative we’re planning for faculty in January.
Before I do that, I’d like to acknowledge Dr. Richard Carroll, the FWP’s founding director who retired at the end of November. Through his professional skill and knack for making connections across the University, Dr. Carroll shaped a vital program that connects members of our faculty with resources that can help address serious challenges such as stress, depression, anxiety, family strains, workplace relationship problems, burnout, and alcohol and substance abuse.
This program has served as a valuable resource for hundreds of faculty in need, and I am honored to take the reins and build upon Dr. Carroll’s work. In addition to my role as associate professor in Feinberg’s Departments of Medical Education and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, I also have served as director of Physician Well-Being for Northwestern Medicine’s Medical Groups for three years. I am a certified leadership, organizational and well-being coach and have focused on workplace mental health for many years. Outside of my work, I like to spend time with my young son and wife and spend time with friends at a Chicago sporting event or new restaurant.
In my 15 years at Northwestern, I have found that many members of our faculty are unaware of the resources available to support their physical and emotional well-being. In order to help address this, I am excited to share that in partnership with Human Resources WELL, we will host our first Faculty Wellness Week from Jan. 10-16. This week will provide free opportunities for you to explore the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion on the Evanston campus, take online or remote classes, or join a guided mediation. On Jan. 14, we will offer a program in our Faculty Well-being Conversation series on Navigating the Challenges of Eldercare. This program will provide resources, strategies and community for faculty who care for elderly loved ones. I encourage you to look into these resources.
Life as a faculty member can be challenging in ways others do not understand. If you are ever in need—or if you have ideas for programs that could be beneficial for our faculty—please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to providing support you need to flourish on and off campus.
Sincerely,
Gaurava Agarwal
Associate Professor and Director of the Faculty Wellness Program