2026 Mini Grant Program
2026 Mini Grant Program
Quick Fix Project Summaries
#13 Optimizing Workflow to Enhance Wellbeing: Laptops for Endocrinology Fellows
Area/Unit/Department: Endocrinology
Project Lead: Neesha Desia, MD
Funding: $5,000
Project Summary: This project will provide laptops for six fellows so they can review laboratory data, communicate recommendations, and complete documentation without competing for shared workstations.
#20 Reducing Eye Strain and Headaches Through Office Improvements
Area/Unit/Department: OB Service and Lactation
Project Lead: Stephanie Slisher, RN
Funding: $713.03
Project Summary: Computer and lighting conditions can contribute to eye strain, headaches, and daily discomfort for staff. This quick-fix will improve lighting to create a more comfortable, functional workspace.
#25 Front-End Enhancements of the Wound Healing Cenger
Area/Unit/Department: Wound Healing Center
Project Lead: Yvon'ya Schmid
Funding: Partial award; final amount to confirm
Project Summary: The Wound Healing Center identified an opportunity to improve its front-end environment for staff and patients.
#29 Mobile Workstations to Optimize Internal Medicine Rounding
Area/Unit/Department: Internal Medicine Residency Program
Project Lead: Genevive Medina, MD
Funding: $4,800
Project Summary: Internal Medicine rounding teams need reliable access to clinical information and documentation tools at the point of care. Mobile workstations will be used to reduce delays, improve real-time review of patient information, and better support teaching during rounds.
Small Project Summaries
#16 Assessing Wellness Among Nurses Using Continuous ECG Monitoring
Area/Unit/Department: Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R)
Project Lead: Sunita Pokhrel Bhattarai, PhD, RN, and Mary G. Carey, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN
Funding: $5,000
Project Summary: Nurses experience high levels of stress and fatigue, but there are limited ways to continuously assess physiologic wellness during clinical work. This pilot study will use wearable ECG devices to monitor indicators such as heart rate variability and stress-related patterns among approximately 50 clinical nurses.
#18 Improving Surgeon Physical Health
Area/Unit/Department: Department of Surgery, Division of Acute Care Surgery and Trauma
Project Lead: Teresa Pullano, MD, and Michale Vella, MD
Funding: $3,000
Project Summary: Surgical practice can involve long hours, limited recovery time, and physical demands that affect clinicians’ health. This project will evaluate whether a structured exercise program can improve heart rate variability and other measures of physical wellbeing among 20 to 30 surgical attendings and trainees.
#19 Guardian Mobile Personal Safety Devices for Hospital at Home Staff
Area/Unit/Department: Hospital at Home
Project Lead: Michelle B. Maxon, MBA, and Heather Jackson, MS, RN-BC, NE-BC, CNL
Funding: $4,560
Project Summary: Hospital at Home nurses provide care independently in community settings and may encounter safety concerns outside their control. This project will equip field nurses with Guardian Mobile Personal Safety devices that can quickly contact emergency services, report the user’s location, and begin recording audio when activated.
#22 Moments That Matter: Care Wellness Beads
Area/Unit/Department: Pediatric Quality
Project Lead: Rebecca Kanaley
Funding: $5,000
Project Summary: Pediatric caregivers regularly experience meaningful, difficult, and emotionally complex moments in their work. Moments That Matter will use wellness beads as a tangible way for staff to recognize experiences, reflect on their contributions, and connect with one another.
#28 Poetry Workshops for Staff
Area/Unit/Department: Pharmacology and Physiology
Project Lead: Peter "Nag Hyung" Chu
Funding: $1,000
Project Summary: This project will offer facilitated poetry workshops that give staff space for creative expression, reflection, and connection outside their usual work routines. Participants will have an opportunity to write, share, and engage with colleagues in a welcoming setting.
#34 Exoskeleton Use for Fatigue Reduction in Transplant Surgery
Area/Unit/Department: Transplant Institute and Transplant Surgery
Project Lead: Michael McCabe, MD, and Yutaka Endo, MD
Funding: $5,000
Project Summary: Transplant surgeons routinely perform long, complex operations that require prolonged standing and forward-leaning posture, increasing the risk of fatigue and musculoskeletal pain. This project will introduce an exoskeletal device designed to reduce physical strain during surgery.
#41 Wellbeing Book Club and Coaching Cadre
Area/Unit/Department: University of Rochester School of Nursing
Project Lead: Susan Blaakman, PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC, FNAP, FAAN, and Kristina Santory, MS, RN, CNEcl, CV-BC, CNRN
Funding: $2,864
Project Summary: The School of Nursing will create a seven-session book club and coaching cadre focused on mindful presence and self-compassion. Up to 12 participants will read AWARE and use its companion workbook to explore focused attention, open awareness, and kind attention through discussion, journaling, and experiential practice.
#48 Addressing Ergonomic Challenges in Bedside Music Therapy
Area/Unit/Department: Eastman Performing Arts Medicine Center
Project Lead: Rosemary Obi, MS, LCAT, MT-BC, and Gaelen McCormick, M.Mus
Funding: $2,840
Project Summary: Music therapists face postural demands as well as the emotional strain of working in high-intensity clinical settings. Seven team members will participate in group and individual Alexander Technique sessions focused on body awareness, postural habits, ergonomics, and mindful self-regulation.
#49 Fiber Arts for Wellbeing: Improving Connection and Communication at Work
Area/Unit/Department: Pediatrics, Rheumatology
Project Lead: Homaira Rahimi, MD
Funding: $2,955
Project Summary: This project will use a three-month series of fiber arts and crochet sessions to bring together staff who work across different roles in the division. Guided by a community instructor, participants will learn and create together in a relaxed setting designed to break down silos and encourage approachable, supportive relationships.
#52 Recognizing Excellence: A Structured Wellness Iniative for Recognition
Area/Unit/Department: Emergency Medicine Service Line
Project Lead: Terri-Lynn O'Gara, MS, RN
Funding: $5,000
Project Summary: This project will create a structured recognition program, including a pin and award system, to celebrate compassionate care, teamwork, safety improvement, mentoring, leadership, quality work, and professional growth.