Partner Spotlight: Bryan Medical Center Recognized in the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Joy in Medicine Program
Bryan Medical Center has been awarded Bronze status in the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Joy in Medicine™ Health System Recognition Program, highlighting their commitment to enhancing physician well-being and combating burnout.
The Joy in Medicine™ Health System Recognition Program, established by the AMA in 2019, acknowledges health organizations that prioritize physician well-being through structured efforts to reduce work-related burnout. The program offers three levels of recognition—Bronze, Silver, and Gold—each reflecting an organization’s investment in key areas such as commitment, assessment, leadership, efficiency of practice environment, teamwork, and support. Recognition is valid for two years, during which organizations are expected to maintain and advance their initiatives promoting professional fulfillment among clinicians.
By achieving Bronze status, Bryan Medical Center joins a select group of health systems nationwide dedicated to fostering a supportive environment for physicians. This recognition underscores Bryan Medical Center’s proactive measures to address the root causes of physician burnout, thereby enhancing the quality of care provided to patients.
The AMA emphasizes that the goal of the Joy in Medicine™ program is to unite the healthcare community in building a culture committed to clinician well-being. Christine Sinsky, M.D., AMA vice president of professional satisfaction, stated, “The goal of the Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program is to unite the health care community in building a nationwide culture committed to the well-being of clinical care teams by helping health organizations invest in action plans promoting professional fulfillment and meaning that clinicians find in caring for their patients.”
Bryan Medical Center’s Approach to Physician Wellness
Bryan Medical Center Medical Staff embraced the AMA Joy in Medicine program. The program served as a roadmap to expand and develop evidence-based strategies to create organizational changes to improve overall provider well-being.
Key Initiatives
- Increasing awareness of the importance of provider well-being
- Expanding the Wellness Advisory Team to include representatives from all specialties
- Obtaining leadership support for the wellness program
- Creating more recognition opportunities
- Listening campaigns to identify barriers and provide resources to assist the area in developing and implementing solutions
- Creating a peer-to-peer support program to provide emotional first aid
- Identifying and working to reduce administrative burdens (i.e., documentation requirements)
Since implementation of the above initiatives, we have seen positive responses in many areas related to provider well-being. There is an increase in awareness of the importance of considering provider well-being when making system changes and increased collaboration with our providers. Our medical staff is also more open to peer support. Medical Staff leadership has identified and taken steps to increase recognition opportunities for providers. This has created a culture of highlighting the great work that is being done every day by our providers and teams. Future initiatives will include resurveying our providers to determine the measurable impact of our work and continue to identify opportunities to enhance provider well-being.
For more information on the Joy in Medicine™ Health System Recognition Program, visit the AMA’s official page.