UW MEDICINE PEER TO PEER PROGRAM

The Peer to Peer Program is here to support our healthcare teams. There are many reasons someone might want to talk to a peer supporter. It could be a difficult death, or an adverse event.  Perhaps you are finding less joy in your job or have a sense of emotional fatigue.  The Peer to Peer Program is here to help!  Peer supporters are healthcare team members who have been trained to be thoughtful, compassionate listeners.

This brochure provides information and answers to frequently asked questions about the Peer to Peer Program for staff, faculty, and trainees.

View the Spring 2024 Four Year Review here.

An ideal Peer Supporter demonstrates good listening skills, resiliency and emotional intelligence; maintains professional boundaries; is trustworthy and maintains confidentiality. This document outlines the role of the peer supporter, including who can be a peer supporter and what is expected. 

Interested in being an official Peer Supporter? Submit a self application or nominate a colleague! Our steering committee will process your application and contact you with training details upon approval. 

We typically offer peer supporter training twice a year. See below for our 2025 training opportunities. For additional information, please contact Tally Teodosio at teodost@uw.edu 

2025 Peer Supporter Training Dates

A Mindful State
The past two years have had an impact on our mental and emotional health.  This is a place for all of us to come together, share our stories, get some useful advice and help each other build resilience.

Art With Impact
Art With Impact promotes mental wellness by creating space for people to learn and connect through art and media.

Found Down Podcast
A weekly show hosted by Nicole Johnson, RN full of untold nursing stories that are sometimes hilarious, macabre insane or anything in between.. an outlet and space for us.  Rated E and is mature in content.

ANA Well-being Initiative
Free Tools and Apps to Support Mental Health and Resilience from American Nurses Association.

Self-Compassion with Kristin Neff
Discussion groups, trainings, resources, practices, exercises, and other events.

Stress First Aid:  Resources for Healthcare Providers
A framework to improve recovery from stress reactions, both in oneself and in coworkers:  manual, workbook, online webinars & trainings.

UW Employee Discounts 
Access to great money-saving offers. Here you can find everything from special pricing at local yoga studios to discounted international hotel stays and everything in between.
To receive discounts on all in-person purchases, you must present your Husky Card.

Live Another Day 
Access to BIPOC focused mental health support and resources.

Greater Good Science Center
Studies the psychology, sociology, and neuroscience of well-being and teaches skills that foster a thriving, resilient, and compassionate society.

The Emotional PPE Project
Connects healthcare workers in need with licensed mental health professionals who can help.  No cost.  No insurance.  Just a trained professional to talk to.

UW Medicine Resilience Programming
Fall/Winter Well-being and Resilience Curriculum (webinars) from Dr. Anne Browning.

The Trauma Stewardship Institute
Caring for self while caring for others: books, trainings, webinars and “Future Tripping” podcast with Laura van Dernoot Lipsky.

The Whole U Nutrition Resource Guide 
Handouts on quick and easy recipes, drinks in a jar, navigating the grocery store, National Nutrition Month Cookbook, and more!

Replenish @ Work 
Blog devoted to wellbeing rooted in compassion — the “how to’s” of self and mutual care at work.  Created by Nurses for Nurses.

Who are the Peer Supporters? What do they offer?
Peer Supporters are your colleagues who were nominated and selected for this role because they are trusted by others and good listeners.  They are trained to understand the need to maintain confidentiality and appropriate boundaries while providing one-on-one confidential, emotional support as well as referrals to other support services within UW Medicine or the community as needed.

How does someone become a Peer Supporter?
If you’d like to nominate one of your colleagues as a Peer Supporter, please complete a nomination form.  We welcome nominations for Peer Supporters representing a variety of disciplines and services within the UW Medicine system.  To learn more about the role of the Peer Supporter, please see the role description document under the resources section.

When would I access a Peer Supporter?
The Peer to Peer Program is here to support any member of our healthcare teams.  You could need support after a patient passes away, when you are involved in an adverse event, or after a difficult interaction with a colleague.  It might be that it feels hard to come to work and you are experiencing burnout or are finding less joy in your work.  The Peer to Peer Program is here to help!

How do I access a Peer Supporter?
The easiest way to access the Peer to Peer Program is to submit a request form here.  You can use this form to request peer support for yourself or to refer someone in need.  In addition, after a known difficult clinical event, as a matter of routine, involved care team members may be contacted and offered peer support.

How will I be contacted?
A Staff Support Specialist* will contact you (or the person you referred) to match to a Peer Supporter or refer to the appropriate staff support service. The peer support match is based on UW Medicine entity, area of practice or department, clinical background, and availability. A designated peer supporter, who will only be given contact information, will contact the person in need of support to discuss how and when they would like to meet.
*Process may vary by entity/site

What happens next?
You can decide to speak on the phone or meet in person with the Peer Supporter.  This is usually a one-time event but can include an occasional follow-up or referral to additional support. You will also be offered a basic information and resource brochure.

What should I expect from the one on one session?
In this session, you will meet with a colleague who understands the unique challenges of a career in healthcare. Their job is to listen and offer support, as opposed to review the details of an event or provide counseling.  The Peer Supporter is someone to be there as you navigate a difficult time or situation.

Is this confidential?
Yes, the Peer Supporters maintain confidentiality (unless there are safety concerns for you, another individual, or a patient).  When you meet with a Peer Supporter, the only people who will know that a conversation took place are you, the Peer Supporter, and the Staff Support Specialist.

Have you already experienced a peer support interaction?
If you have received peer support, please complete this anonymous survey with your feedback from the experience. Your feedback will help us improve the program.

Community of Practice sessions occur quarterly and offer additional educational opportunities and community support for peer supporters to improve their skills. Although not mandatory, they can keep your skills and knowledge refreshed for when you may be contacted to support a colleague. Sessions are typically facilitated by a leader within their field and can range from topics around self-care, mental and physical health, relationships, UW Medicine resources, among others. Sessions are typically held via Zoom. 

2025 Community of Practice Sessions: 

Jan 22, 12:00pm – 1:00pm: Healthy Boundaries in Relationships, Dani Dutro, Director of Well-Being & Psychotherapist at Valley Medical Center 

April 23, 12:00pm – 1:00pm: Peer Supporter Scenario Practice 

July 23, 12:00pm – 1:00pm: Topic TBD 

September 24, 12:00pm – 1:00pm: Topic TBD