JANE ELLIOTT

Jane has been employed at the Washington National Primate Research Center (WaNPRC) for seven years, first as the 2011 Nonhuman Primate Models for AIDS conference coordinator, then as the Assistant Director of Center Programs, Administration & Operations. In her position, she does not interact with the research animals on a regular basis. She is also the Center’s internal HR Manager. In this capacity, Jane sees the direct effects of compassion fatigue on the staff. Many of the animals are in our care for long periods of time. Care staff become close to the animals as they learn their unique personalities and behaviors. When studies involve an end-point, staff react in a number of ways – sadness and depression are common, while others close themselves off emotionally. Jane involved herself in the D2C Compassion Fatigue Program for a number of reasons. She cares deeply about her co-workers emotional and physical well-being. The principles of compassion fatigue can also be applied to management who deal with stressful situations daily. Jane believes global application of this program across the WaNPRC, OAW, Comparative Medicine and others will have a positive impact on work environment and a direct impact on our research animals.