AMA Honors MyMichigan for Promoting Well-Being, Reducing Burnout

MyMichigan Health has earned silver level recognition from the American Medical Association (AMA) as a Joy in Medicine™ health organization. This is the fourth year in a row the Midland-based health system has been recognized by the AMA. MyMichigan earned bronze level honor accolades every year since 2021.

The prestigious AMA distinction is granted to organizations that meet the rigorous criteria of the Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program and acknowledges the nation’s leaders in prioritizing proven efforts to enhance the well-being and professional fulfillment of physicians. In 2024, a total of 62 health systems nationwide earned recognition with documented efforts to reduce system-level drivers of work-related burnout and demonstrated competencies in commitment, assessment, leadership, efficiency of practice environment, teamwork, and support.
“Reducing and preventing provider burnout continues to be a significant focus for us since it impacts not only the providers but the communities we serve,” said Pankaj Jandwani, M.D., M.M.M., vice president of medical affairs, MyMichigan Health. “That’s why developing a culture of wellness to help support one another has been so important to us here. MyMichigan Health Wellness and Provider Wellbeing Councils play a key role in reinforcing that culture to ensure the needs of our providers are met and we can offer the best care possible to our patients and community.”

MyMichigan Health has been fortunate to receive a generous grant from The Charles J. Strosacker Foundation, as well as partnership with community partners including Midland Area Wellbeing Coalition to improve upon the culture of workplace wellbeing.

After peaking during the COVID-19 pandemic, the physician burnout rate has dipped under 50 percent nationally for the first time in four years. MyMichigan Health provider burnout rate has consistently stayed below the national rates between 28-30 percent in the last three years.
“Physicians are humans caring for other human beings, strained by factors beyond their control and challenged by the enormous expectations placed on them to continuously deliver high quality, compassionate care. There is no doubt change is needed, but what needs to change is not the doctors,” said AMA President Bruce A. Scott, M.D. “A national movement is gaining momentum to transform health care work systems and fix the root causes of physician burnout. Health organizations that have earned the AMA’s Joy in Medicine recognition are leading this movement with bold visions for redesigned clinical systems to foster professional well-being and support quality care.”

Organizations recognized with the AMA honor demonstrated competencies in commitment, assessment, leadership, efficiency of practice environment, teamwork, and support, as well as documented efforts to combat work-related stress and burnout.

Examples of initiatives MyMichigan Health has implemented over the past seven years to help decrease burnout and improve wellbeing, include:

• A dedicated Provider Wellbeing Council to foster initiatives specific to improve provider wellbeing that aligns with the Quadruple Aim (Quality, Cost, Patient Experience, and Clinical Experience) and is consistent with the MyMichigan Health values and purpose.
• Embarking on “Appreciative Inquiry” methods, a three-year initiative, which queries all staff on “what is going well,” allowing to improve on the positive, while addressing problematic situations. This initiative, implemented in partnership with Midland Area Wellbeing Coalition, impacting the entire health system staff including housekeeping, maintenance and more, was made possible through a generous grant by The Charles J. Strosacker Foundation
• Deploying an annual Provider Survey (Mini Z Survey) which was created by the AMA in their partnership with the Mayo Clinic. The survey gauges provider burnout at a system-level, as well as helps identify factors that could be contributing burnout.
• Establishing a Peer Support Network to help the impacted clinician with emotional healing, to reduce burnout, and to restore providers to wellness and their patient care vocation.
• Creating Efficiency of Practice programs designed to assist providers with creating greater efficiencies in their clinical practice.
• Developing and implementing a Provider Mentorship Program and MyMichigan Leadership Institute.

Additional support initiatives implemented for providers by MyMichigan include the addition of a:

• Centralized webpage (MyWellbeing) for all MyMichigan employees and providers with a list of easily accessible internal and external resources on mental health and wellbeing
• Suicide On Call Resources Line.
• Connecting with Colleagues Meal Sharing Program where providers are encouraged to have a meal with colleagues.
• Monthly ‘Take 10 for Wellbeing’ initiative which educates and encourages individuals to embark on a 10-minute wellness activity.
• Gratitude Notes Challenge where the Provider Wellbeing Council members send ongoing gratitude notes to practitioners across the health system to provide encouragement and express appreciation
• Town Hall held monthly where the chief medical officer hosts and interviews subject matter experts on an area of focus, such as wellbeing, virtual care or infectious disease.
• ‘Snack Round’ program across the health system. Hosted by the Provider Wellbeing Council & Peer Support Network, the intent of this initiative it to enhance collegial relationships while sharing a special treat with inpatient and outpatient providers. The treats also have a resource card included which highlights other provider wellness efforts.

Those interested in learning more about the AMA Joy in Medicine™ Health System Recognition Program may visit www.ama-assn.org/joyinmedicine