Thriving in Medicine Wellness Report
A guide for empowering physicians and practitioners in organizational settings.
Results from a 2024 WSMA wellness survey revealed that across Washington state there is a need for more adaptable wellness programs for different clinical areas. Survey respondents identified the need for more support staff and efficiencies in practice, especially related to electronic health records, as issues impacting their joy of medicine.
Acting on these survey results, the WSMA Foundation Wellness Committee put forth a set of criteria for organizations, leaders, physicians, and practitioners to assess and implement positive changes.
Wellness Report: Thriving in Medicine
“Thriving in Medicine: Cultivating Choice, Competence, and Community” is a guide to start, or to reevaluate and renew, processes to allow physicians and practitioners to thrive. Productive and positive change requires listening to, involving, and empowering physicians and practitioners. It also takes dedicated resources and support. Wellness programs that are supported with time and financial support are viewed most positively, have better outcomes, and foster a greater sense that leadership supports joy in medicine.
The proposals and ideas in this document are the next steps, not the final steps. In making these recommendations, it is important to recognize the need for greater changes in the health care system for future advocacy, locally, regionally, and nationally.
WSMA Foundation Wellness Action Committee
Thank you to the members of the WSMA Foundation Wellness Action Committee, who, together, helped to make this document a reality.
- Alka Atal-Barrio, MD, Optum Care Washington, Wellness Committee Chair
- Rachel Bishop, MD, PeaceHealth
- Jessica Bloom, MD, Family Care Network
- Chris Bundy, MD, MPH, Washington Physicians Health Program
- Linda Dale, PA-C
- Carrie Horwitch, MD, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
- Judy Kimelman, MD, Swedish Health Services, Retired
- Sheila Kirkegaard, Systems Evolution Inc. Consulting
- Peter Mikkelsen, MD, Pullman Regional Hospital
- Linda Seaman, MD
- Makrina Shanbour, MD, Confluence Health
- Nina Willow, MD, Kaiser Permanente Washington
- Leah Yoke, PA-C, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, UW Medicine
The WSMA Foundation Wellness Action Committee is supported by WSMA Associate Director of Quality and Leadership Programs Monica Salgaonkar, MHA, CPHQ.