Celeste Akers and Zoe Feilner, PA-C, have accepted roles as Co-Chairs of the SPARKS (Sponsoring Psychiatry Activities for Resilience, Kinship, and Support) Committee within the Department of Psychiatry.
The committee meets monthly and aims to increase engagement among the Department of Psychiatry staff.
Akers, who previously chaired the Department of Psychiatry Wellness Committee, said she accepted the position because she believes the more people spend time together outside of work, the more enjoyable the workday is.
“I really believe we should work to get everyone included and bring everyone to the table,” she said. “A lot of community engagement mirrors staff engagement, and I think the more engaged a workplace is, the more everyone feels like they belong and the more work satisfaction you have. I also believe it builds camaraderie when you can do extra things outside of work.”
Sheritta Strong, MD, Assistant Vice-Chancellor of Engagement at UNMC, nominated both Akers and Feilner for the committee.
“With refocusing the committee to Sponsoring Psychiatry Activities for Resilience, Kinship, and Support, it is important for a person to have a lens that recognizes that we all experience life differently,” Dr. Strong said. “As a part of the DEI committee for the past few years, Zoe has always participated as we all learn to expand our understanding of the people and communities we serve that we are not always familiar with. This translates to her work in clinical care, and she is excited that she chose to be an integral part of the supportive work in the department.”
Anyone interested in joining the SPARKS Committee can reach Akers or Feilner.