Against the backdrop of a global healthcare system still grappling with severe professional burnout, Institut Kesehatan Suaka Insan is taking proactive steps to heal its own.
Banjarmasin-UPPM Ikes Suaka Insan. Recently, the institute’s Campus Ministry Bureau hosted a transformative, one-day wellness retreat designed to safeguard the mental and spiritual health of its entire workforce. Led by esteemed facilitator Pastor Hery Berthus Managamtua Simbolon, SJ, affectionately known as Pastor Agam, the retreat provided a vital sanctuary of peace for the educators and support staff who tirelessly mold tomorrow’s frontline health workers.
An Ecosystem of Inclusive Care
What makes this initiative uniquely powerful is its radically inclusive approach. The retreat intentionally dissolved institutional hierarchies, welcoming not only academic lecturers and administrative leaders but also essential non-teaching personnel, including drivers and housekeeping staff. In the high-stakes environment of health education, the vital contributions of support staff often go unnoticed globally. By recognizing that every individual plays a crucial role in the health institute’s ecosystem, IKes Suaka Insan ensured that wellness is a shared, campus-wide reality rather than a privilege reserved for a select few.
Throughout the day, Pastor Agam guided attendees through a dynamic progression of reflective group exercises, intimate paired dialogues, and deep personal introspection. These carefully structured sessions allowed participants to peel back the layers of daily operational stress and reconnect with their foundational motivations.
“Each person is called to be something, to complete their respective missions, which are manifested through their service at Institut Kesehatan Suaka Insan”
— Sr. Maria Regina Djogo, SPC, Head of Campus Ministry
Her words underscore a profound truth in healthcare education: true service is not merely an occupation, but a lifelong calling. By inviting staff to dedicate their hard work and intentions to a higher purpose, the retreat successfully reignited a profound sense of intrinsic motivation across the campus.
A Local Action for a Global Crisis
This localized event speaks directly to a much larger worldwide issue. On a global scale, the World Health Organization (WHO) and international medical boards continue to highlight the urgent need to protect the mental health of health and care workers. Educational frameworks worldwide are increasingly recognizing a fundamental reality: institutions cannot effectively teach holistic, patient-centered care in an environment that is devoid of it.
Institutes like Ikes Suaka Insan are stepping onto the world stage by modeling a critical solution, institutionalizing care for the caregiver. When the staff of a health institute operates from a place of inner peace and renewed purpose, they directly pass that resilient, compassionate ethos down to the nursing and medical students they instruct, ultimately elevating the standard of global patient care.
Honoring the Past, Looking to the Future
The day of reflection also served as a poignant moment to honor the legacy of dedicated service within the community. The retreat seamlessly integrated a heartfelt retirement farewell for Mr. Warjiman, a long-serving staff member. Followed by a communal lunch, this blend of spiritual reflection and community bonding culminated in a unified staff mass in the late afternoon. Attendees left the gathering fundamentally transformed, carrying a renewed sense of solidarity and purpose.
As the demands on international healthcare systems continue to evolve, Institut Kesehatan Suaka Insan remains steadfast in its commitment to building a resilient, purpose-driven academic community. By prioritizing the holistic well-being of every single staff member, the institute guarantees that its graduates are shaped by a community that is both highly skilled and deeply compassionate (UPPM-IKES Suaka Insan).
Discover more about how Institut Kesehatan Suaka Insan is pioneering holistic healthcare education, and explore our dynamic campus initiatives by visiting our international programs page today.
