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Trainee Engagement and Well-being

Trainee Engagement & Well-being serves BRET trainees by supporting their care needs and creating intentional opportunities to gather as a community. BRET collaborates with various campus partners to identify paths of care for multiple situations that may impact BRET trainees.

Community Development | Field Trip Series

BRET Field Trips are an opportunity to connect with fellow BRET graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. These opportunities are monthly, and participation will be determined by raffle. Each trip will be opened roughly a week before the event.

Have an idea for a Field Trip? Let RC know!

Educational Opportunities | BRET Lunch & Learns

The Lunch & Learn Series is an opportunity for the BRET community to gather and learn about various topics throughout the semester.

Examples include:

  • Trainee Well-being: A Guide to Vanderbilt Wellness Resources
  • Clifton Strengths Workshops  
  • Making Cents of Money: Financial Wellness for Graduate Students
  • Let’s Rumble: How to Have Tough Conversations
  • ADHD Management
  • Failure CVs (Faculty members share their experience with failing)
  • Nutrition Workshops & Cooking Classes

Resources just for Graduate Students

  • BRET Grad Student Well-being Resource Guide

    Check out the BRET Resource Guide for Graduate Students.

  • Dr. Roger Chalkley Critical Need Fund

    In recognition of Roger Chalkley, D.Phil., retired senior associate dean for Biomedical Research Education and Training (BRET), an anonymous donor has endowed the Chalkley Critical Need Fund to support biomedical graduate students who encounter unanticipated financial challenges.

    Eligibility Requirements
    • Applicant must be an active Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Ph.D. student.
    • We encourage you to seek help from other available campus resources, such as the Student Critical Support Fund, VUMC Financial Assistance (if applicable), Reproductive Health and Family, student health insurance.  If these resources are insufficient, unavailable, or not available in a timely manner, please apply to this fund below.
    • Applicant must the provide information in the survey below.

    Application Process:
    Each application will be reviewed within a week of submission. If the staff have questions, they will reach out via e-mail or schedule an in-person conversation to learn more about your situation. If you have questions about the process or about eligibility, please e-mail ChalkleyFundatBRET@vanderbilt.edu.

    Note: Any tax implications in receiving these funds will need to be discussed with a CPA/tax advisor as our office is unauthorized to give any tax advice or guidance.

    Dr. Roger Chalkley Critical Need Fund Application

  • Campus well-being resources for graduate students

    Graduate and Postdoc Academic Success (GPAS)

    Auxiliary Mentor Support

    Office of Student Care Coordination

    Student Health Insurance

  • Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS)

    CAPS supports the mental health needs of students, developing treatment plans tailored to each individual, as well as emphasizing prevention, education and collaboration.

    Make an appointment with Student Care Coordination (SCC) to begin your process toward care through CAPS.

    Average wait: A few days to a week
    Instructions: BRET students will schedule with the SCC first by completing this brief form and follow the prompts to schedule an in person or virtual appointment. You can also utilize a drop-in meeting to meet with a care coordinator
    SCC care coordinators will:
    • Provide access to a broad range of resources
    • Provide faster access to the right kind of help, such as therapeutic resources that can be accessed on evenings and weekends
    • Connect BRET students with the right kind of help at the CAPS to help reduce barriers to care

     

  • International Trainee Support

    Learn more about International Trainee resources.

Resources just for Postdocs

Urgent Concerns

Other Helpful Links

What to do in an emergency

  • Vanderbilt University Police: 911 or 615-421-1911
  • University Counseling Center Crisis Care Counseling: 615-322-2571
    • Hours during Fall & Spring Semesters: M-F, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
    • Hours during Summer Months: M-F, 10:00 am-3:00 pm
    • *If you are calling after hours, you will be transferred to an answering service with mental health providers on call.
    • *If you are hoping to schedule an appointment, please see the BRET-UCC Specialized Services
  • Project Safe Support Hotline: 615-322-SAFE (7233)
    • Confidential services for those impacted by gender and sexual harassment, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking and more.
  • Crisis Text Line (free 24/7 crisis support in the US): Text 741-741
  • Suicide Prevention Lifeline (free 24/7 support): 1-800-273-8255

Contact

  • RC Stabile, Ed.D.

    RC Stabile, Ed.D.

    Director, Trainee Engagement & Well-being

    • MRB IV, Rm 9405