The STAR Program is a comprehensive wellness and mental health initiative designed specifically for residents at the Indiana University School of Medicine. Grounded in years of pilot research through the Department of Emergency Medicine, the STAR Program offers personalized tools and peer-driven support systems to promote resilience, connection and holistic wellness throughout residency training.
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The STAR Program consists of two core components:
Each resident receives access to a secure, individualized wellness dashboard — a dynamic tool designed to help residents monitor their well-being over time. This dashboard is automatically populated through periodic self-assessments and provides a personalized view of mental health and wellness throughout the academic year.
These assessments utilize validated tools to evaluate:
Alongside individual metrics, residents receive clear explanations of what their scores mean, as well as personalized recommendations and clickable resource links tailored to their self-reported needs. As surveys are completed, results seamlessly integrate into the dashboard, allowing residents to track their wellness journey over time.
This platform empowers residents to better understand their mental health, explore available support, and take proactive steps toward well-being.
Residents can access their dashboard in the following ways:
The STAR Peer Support Program connects residents within their specialty to small, facilitated peer groups — modeled after traditional support groups seen in mental health settings. Each group is led by a trained resident or faculty facilitator and centers around shared experiences such as:
This structured, evidence-informed model is designed to foster open dialogue, normalize vulnerability, and build a culture of peer-supported resilience across IU School of Medicine residency programs.
Residents are encouraged to take on leadership roles by facilitating their own peer support groups. Training is self-paced and delivered asynchronously in a 30-minute course comprised of brief, instructional video modules.
🎓 Enroll in our Peer Support Leader Training Course (Canvas)
For questions or guidance, please contact Kyra Reed, MD at kyrareed@iu.edu.
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Learn more about the Peer Support Program.
The STAR Program is designed to provide a ready-to-implement, data-informed solution for supporting resident wellness across all IU School of Medicine residency programs. Our goal is to offer meaningful resources without adding administrative burden to program leadership.
To schedule a didactic session for your residency program, please contact: iusmstar@iu.edu
Participation in the STAR Program is voluntary. Resident self-assessments are confidential and conducted as part of an IRB-approved research study on wellness in medical training. Study details are available on the first page of each assessment.
This project was supported by Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, IN.
For more information or to request the full study protocol, please contact Kyra Reed, MD, at kyrareed@iu.edu.
