Wellness Wednesday- June

Upcoming events:

If you have an event you want uplifted, please email me at bass-maya@cooperhealth.edu

Helpful Links

·                     New Link for Discounted daycare: Bright Horizons For Cooper Housestaff

·                     Residents’ guide to accessing Primary Care at Cooper: New added session Mondays 6-8pm in 3 Cooper Suite 104 Infor attached and here: ​​​​Wellness Resources for Trainees.pdf​​​​

·                     Cooper GME Wellness Page: https://wellness.cooperhealth.org/gme-wellness/

·                     Cooper Wellness Page: Compassion & Resiliency Experience (C.A.R.E.) Program

·                     Cooper’s Community Resources: Cooper Unite

·                     Cali Courses for Professional Development: http://portal/Departments/CALI/CALI%20Catalog/Forms/AllItems.aspx

Wellness Tip: Managing Change

June arrives with a familiar energy in academic medicine—transition, growth, and a whole lot of change. New roles, new teams, new expectations. For some, this is exciting. For others, it can feel uncertain or even overwhelming.

This month, I wanted to ground us in a simple but powerful framework from Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson—a short, memorable story about how we respond to change.

🧀 The Big Idea

The “cheese” represents what we value—success, routine, confidence, relationships, identity in our role. When that “cheese” moves (and in June, it often does!), we each respond differently.

The key message: change is inevitable—but how we respond is within our control.

Actionable Takeaways for June

1. Notice It Early

“The quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you find new cheese.”

  • Pay attention to small shifts—workflow changes, new expectations, new team dynamics
  • Name what feels different instead of ignoring it

Try this: At the end of the week, ask yourself: “What changed this week?”

2. Expect Discomfort—but Don’t Stay Stuck There

  • Feeling unsure in a new role is normal (and expected!)
  • Growth and discomfort often travel together

Try this: When something feels hard, reframe it as: “This is me learning, not failing.”

3. Take Small, Forward Steps

  • Progress doesn’t require a perfect plan—just movement
  • Confidence follows action, not the other way around

Try this: Identify one small thing each day that moves you forward (ask a question, try a new approach, introduce yourself to someone new)

4. Stay Curious Instead of Defensive

  • Change can trigger resistance—but curiosity opens doors
  • Ask: “What might this new situation teach me?”

Try this: In a challenging moment, replace “Why is this happening?” with “What can I learn here?”

5. Don’t Navigate Alone

  • Transitions are easier when we lean on each other
  • Your peers, seniors, faculty, and leadership are all part of your support system

Try this: Reach out—check in,  ask for help, or just share how things are going

Final Thought

June is a month of movement. While change can feel destabilizing, it is also where growth, connection, and new opportunities begin.

You don’t have to have it all figured out. Just keep moving forward. We’re here with you every step of the way.

With appreciation for all that you do,