Critical Incident Stress Management

Behind the Scenes: The Team That Helps Our Healthcare Heroes Heal

When healthcare workers face traumatic events, the East Valley Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team of 40 dedicated nurses, social workers, and chaplains stands ready to help them process and heal. Since 2014, this vital program has provided critical emotional support through group debriefs and one-on-one sessions, helping our caregivers cope with the most challenging moments of their work. Thanks to the East Valley Foundation's support, our CISM team continues to be a crucial lifeline, ensuring those who care for others receive the care they need too.

The impact of this team reaches far beyond numbers and statistics. Emergency Department RN Carrie Gonzalez shares a powerful story that led her to join the CISM team. "Years ago, I was the nurse for a trauma case involving a two-year-old boy and his mother," she recalls. "He didn't survive the accident, and we wheeled his bed to his mother's trauma bay so she could hold his hand and say goodbye." That heart-wrenching moment, which left Gonzalez driving home in tears, highlighted the critical need for emotional support in healthcare settings.

The difference was that the CISM team had been established and was available to do a debrief for the staff involved. What we see in our profession is not what the average person sees, and we have to process that.

Carrie Gonzalez, RN

In fiscal year 2024 alone, the team facilitated 20 group debriefs, complemented by numerous one-on-one support sessions. These interventions create a safe space where healthcare workers can process their experiences and emotions in a healthy, constructive manner.

The CISM team's quarterly check-ins ensure that support remains consistent and accessible. As Gonzalez notes, "The impact this team has on the staff and hospitals it supports is immeasurable.  My personal experience prompted me to take the training and join the team.”