Director’s Corner: Celebrating Five Years of Impact at the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience

By Chip Benight, Ph.D.
Executive Director of the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience

As we mark the fifth anniversary of the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience, I find myself reflecting on how quickly time has passed, and how much we’ve achieved together in such a short period.

When we first launched, the world was in the grip of a global pandemic. Lockdowns had just begun, and uncertainty loomed large. In the face of that challenge, the Institute stepped up as a vital community resource, offering hope, connection, and support throughout El Paso County, across Colorado, and beyond.

In April 2020, we launched the GRIT (Greater Resilience Information Toolkit) program to build a global network of GRIT Resilience Coaches. This initiative was born out of urgency but has grown into a cornerstone of our outreach. At the same time, we remained steadfast in our ongoing work at the Veterans Health and Trauma Clinic, which has now served over 4,000 clients since its inception in 2014.

We also expanded our clinical services with the opening of the Milestones Resilience Care clinic, offering strength-based, whole-person trauma healing. Since our founding, we have secured more than $8 million in grant funding, fueling innovative research on trauma adaptation and cutting-edge interventions that are shaping the future of resilience science.

In just five years, we've designed and implemented peer support programs for UCHealth Southern Region, the Colorado Department of Transportation, Mt. Carmel Veteran Center, and Lincoln Surgery Center, reaching and supporting over 10,000 employees statewide.

Equally important is our commitment to training the next generation of trauma psychologists. Our trauma-focused Clinical Ph.D. students are already making their mark, carrying forward the mission of resilience and healing.

Of course, this is just a glimpse of all we've accomplished. None of it would have been possible without the incredible people who have helped shape the Institute. First and foremost, I want to thank Lyda Hill, whose vision and belief in our mission laid the foundation for everything we’ve done. Deep gratitude also goes to the Anschutz Foundation, El Pomar Foundation, Norwood Foundation, and the many individual donors whose generous support has fueled our work.

And finally, to the dedicated team at the Institute, your passion and tireless efforts are what make this place truly special. Here's to the future and our continued journey of resilience, healing, and hope. Administration/Research Grants: Elyse Dunckley, Nicole Weis, MA, LPC, LAC, Brooks Robinson, Ph.D., Heather Littleton, Ph.D., John Cooke, Gabe Taylor, Eva Perez, Valerie Anderson, Psy.D., Jody Savino, Amy Huntington-Hollis, Joanna Polk, Anna Strating, Janet Fritz. Clinical Staff: Lisa Decker, MA, Carrie Yeager, Ph.D., Justin Lincoln, Psy.D., Dawn Ramsden, LMT, Robin Vidmar, LMT, Megan Meyer, LMT, Angela Gainer, Lac, Sharon Wheeler, YTT, Noel Simmons, LPC, ATR, Erin Fowler, LPC, Miranda Shaw, Ph.D.,  Tim Doenges, Ph.D., Shannon Everett, LPC, Providers: Aaron Bilodeau, LPC, Abbey Westphal, LSCW, Amanda Jepson, LPC, CST, Colleen Kibbie-Vest, LCSW, Dana Williams, MFT, David Schroeder, Ph.D., Jason Friesema, LPC, LAC, Tim Doenges, Ph.D., Aleecia Mata, Angela Gainer, Dawn Ramsden, Robin Vidmar, Megan Rio Meyer, Noel Simmons, Sharon Wheeler. Other critical support from Dolly Kast, Jan Martin, Pam Schockley-Zalabak and our Strategic Board: Deb Mahan, Pam Shockley-Zalabak, David Dahlin, Martin Wood, Chris Jenkins, Eric Scofield, Nancy Smith, Joanne Bonicelli, Terry Rajendran, Brook Griese, Ph.D., Michael Yoesel, MD, Betsy Brown, Kathy Boe, and Charlie Sweet.