Self-Care with Self-Awareness: Supporting Well-Being Across UTHealth Houston

At UTHealth Houston, our faculty, staff, residents, fellows, and learners spend their days caring for patients, advancing research, educating future professionals, and supporting one another. While this work is deeply meaningful, it can also be demanding, making self-care an essential part of maintaining personal and professional well-being.

We believe that effective self-care starts with something even more fundamental: self-awareness. It is the ability to recognize shifts in our emotions, energy levels, behaviors, and overall well-being. When individuals can recognize their needs early, they are more likely to take meaningful steps to protect and improve their well-being.

Join a Workplace That Invests in Well-Being

At UTHealth Houston, supporting our people is more than a goal; it is part of who we are. Through programs that encourage self-awareness, provide meaningful support, and create opportunities for restoration, we are committed to fostering a culture where individuals can thrive personally and professionally. If you are looking for a career with an organization that prioritizes employee well-being, professional growth, and a supportive workplace culture, we invite you to explore opportunities across our institution .

Jasmine Holmes, Senior Faculty Assistance Specialist, emphasizes the importance of recognizing personal needs early and knowing where to turn for support:

“Self-care starts with self-awareness. When people can recognize their own needs early and know exactly where to turn for support, they are far more likely to take meaningful steps toward caring for their overall well-being. The opportunity to play an impactful role in helping individuals develop self-awareness, and being a source of support in individuals prioritizing self-care is what I value most about being a part of UTHealth Employee Assistance Programs.”

At UTHealth Houston, several programs and initiatives are designed to help our community cultivate self-awareness and develop practical self-care strategies that support resilience, engagement, and overall wellness. Earlier this month, we celebrated Wellness Week with activities and resources focused on supporting employee health, well-being, and work-life balance.

Empowering Self-Awareness Through Employee Assistance Programs

Under the umbrella of the UTHealth Houston Employee Assistance Programs , several distinct programs work together to support our workforce and trainees:

Faculty Assistance Program (FAP)
Fellow & Resident Assistance Program (FRAP)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Family, Retiree, and Student Assistance

Each program helps individuals identify their needs, access support, and implement self-care practices that can make a lasting difference.

Faculty Assistance Program: Creating Moments for Reflection

The Faculty Assistance Program offers innovative opportunities for reflection through its Pop-Up Coaching Events. These approachable sessions encourage faculty members to pause long enough to examine what they are carrying, clarify what they need, and explore practical strategies for maintaining balance. Participants are introduced to self-care practices such as:

Setting healthy boundaries
Taking mindful breaks throughout the day
Managing workload pacing intentionally
Building habits that support long-term professional sustainability

These moments of reflection empower faculty to reconnect with their priorities and strengthen their ability to navigate the demands of academic medicine.

Fellow & Resident Assistance Program: Building Resilience in Training

Through the Fellow & Resident Assistance Program, UTHealth Houston is developing well-being prioritization tools that help trainees recognize early signs of stress, fatigue, and burnout. These resources encourage:

Reflective self-check-ins
Utilization of university wellness resources
Intentional opportunities to reset and recharge
Development of sustainable resilience practices

By fostering greater self-awareness, trainees are better equipped to care for themselves while delivering exceptional patient care and advancing their professional development.

Employee Assistance Program: Support When It Matters Most

The Employee Assistance Program continues to expand awareness of available resources and streamline access to support services. The goal is simple: ensure employees can connect with help the moment they recognize a need. Through EAP services, employees can:

Increase awareness of stress patterns and emotional triggers
Strengthen emotional regulation skills
Seek support early when challenges arise
Develop sustainable routines that promote well-being

Finding Stillness Through Tranquility Pop-Up Rooms

Another innovative wellness initiative supporting self-care at UTHealth Houston is the Tranquility Pop-Up Room (TPR), offered through our Employee Wellness Program.

In environments often characterized by constant activity, the Tranquility Pop-Up Room creates an opportunity to slow down and reconnect with oneself.

Managers and team leaders can partner with the Wellness Team to host a Tranquility Pop-Up Room in their work area for a two- to three-hour session. During this time, faculty, staff, residents, and fellows are invited to step into a calming environment designed specifically for rest and reflection. The space features Dim lighting, Calming music, Nature imagery, aromatherapy, and comfortable seating options.

Unlike traditional wellness programming, there is no agenda, facilitator, or structured activity. Participants may come and go as their schedules allow, spending a few minutes or several moments in quiet reflection.

As Julie Van Orden, Assistant Director of Employee Wellbeing Programs, shares:

“Upon entering, each participant is invited to receive a randomly selected inspiration stone featuring an encouraging word or message. The stone may be a source of reflection while enjoying the room or serving as a meaningful keepsake for participants to remember that restoration does not always require a lengthy retreat or extended time away. Sometimes, a few intentional moments of stillness are enough to reset our perspective and return to our work with renewed focus and energy.”

Family, Retiree, and Student Assistance

These assistance programs provide confidential support for personal, emotional, financial, and work-life challenges, helping individuals navigate life transitions and everyday demands. By offering access to counseling, referrals, wellness resources, and guidance services, we aim to foster a culture of care, resilience, and holistic well-being for every stage of life.