Earlier in the year, a nonprofit organization called Sufi Psychology Association, donated 9 tablets along with 300 disposable headsets to all Northwest Healthcare facilities in Tucson. The tablets were presented by one of their volunteers and a University of Arizona College of Medicine alumni, Dr. Kim Amjadi, MD at Northwest Medical Center (6200 N. La Cholla Blvd. Tucson, Arizona 85741). Receiving the tablets on behalf of Northwest Medical Center, Western Arizona Regional Medical Center, and Oro Valley Hospitals was Jorge Salas, the chief nursing officer at Northwest Medical Center.

At first glance, this may appear similar to any one of the numerous donations to local hospitals that have been taking place since the pandemic started. However, this gift meant so much more than just mere donation of "goods" and was given with far more compassion and care than any other during such difficult times. These tablets were part of a nationwide program specifically dedicated to help our frontline heroes combat their suffering from stress, anxiety, job burnout, depression, PTSD, and other mental health issues. The goal of this donation was to help them cope effectively with the immediate, as well as the longterm devastating affects of caring for Covid19 patients.

The Caring for Our Caregivers initiative (www.caring4ourcaregivers.org) has been supplying our frontline heroes with stress-relieving techniques to help them manage the mental and emotional effects of the COVID crisis; burnout was on the rise for healthcare professionals before COVID, and now, our doctors and nurses are enduring a larger toll on their wellbeing. The rate of suicides amongst the healthcare workers are on a rise and there's a lot of suffering. It was this mentality that inspired members of the nonprofit organization called Sufi Psychology Association to start this initiative which is now in all 50 states as well as District of Columbia. They have been procuring donations for the implementation of an evidence-based stress reducing program for our healthcare workers. Since April 2020, the organization has donated iPads, preloaded with a relaxation and meditation videos, to over 300 hospitals nationwide, where they're placed in wellness rooms, resiliency or respite rooms, staff lounges, break rooms, chapels, etc. This organization that is completely run by volunteers relies solely on donations in order to implement this important and much needed program. In the state of Arizona alone, the organization has donated their tablets to all Abrazo Health, Valleywise, Banner Health, Dignity Health, Honor Health, Northern Arizona Healthcare, Phoenix Children's, Northwest Healthcare, as well as Phoenix Indian Hospitals. In fact, on December 30th 2020, Governor Douglas Ducey issued a Letter of Commendation to them for their dedication, service, and charitable work to support and assist Arizonans who have been affected by COVID-19.

At a time when healthcare workers feel exhausted, stressed, and abandoned, Sufi Psychology association and their Volunteers are bringing hope and relief to those who are facing great hardships during these difficult and unusual times. It is their hope that with this gift of kindness and compassion, to those that are continually caring for the rest of us, we show them how much these selfless heroes are truly appreciated, their sacrifice is not forgotten, and that their wellbeing is our priority.