AKRON, Ohio – Akron Children’s Hospital has earned national recognition from the American Medical Association for its efforts to combat physician burnout and foster professional fulfillment.
The hospital received a Bronze Joy in Medicine designation, which is awarded to organizations that put proven strategies in place to support doctors’ well-being and help them thrive while delivering patient care, a news release states.
Organizations that meet the criteria of the Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program are recognized as leaders in the national effort to transform health care work systems and address the root causes of burnout among care teams.
“This recognition affirms our commitment to prioritizing our clinical team’s well-being as essential to delivering the highest quality care for children,” said Dr. Tarun Bhalla, chief clinical officer at Akron Children’s. “By addressing burnout and fostering a culture of wellness, we strengthen both our caregivers and the families we serve.”
According to the AMA, the Joy in Medicine award recognizes organizations that are making measurable progress against physician burnout and helping clinicians rediscover the meaning and joy of practicing medicine.
Akron Children’s is tackling provider burnout through initiatives such as:
- Implementing Abridge as a generative AI tool to ease the burden of clinical documentation and allow providers to focus on listening to their patients instead of documenting notes.
- An EAP program with up to 25 sessions per year, as well as a private program, Akron Physician Wellness Initiative, that offers free and confidential wellness support services including counseling, medication management and educational sessions.
- A peer mentorship program that connects new providers with more experienced providers to help cultivate beneficial relationships for learning and sharing.
- Sports and leisure programs that provide recreational activities and events for staff members to connect and build relationships.
- Volunteer opportunities for Akron Children’s providers to participate together in service projects in the communities they serve.
“The leaders at Akron Children’s are creating a culture of well-being where every employee feels supported, valued and empowered to thrive,” Bhalla said. “Through our well-being strategic planning process, we are using data and innovation to strengthen our organization and set a higher standard for how health systems can support their care teams.”