Orlando Health has earned recognition from the American Medical Association as a Joy in Medicine™ recognized organization at the silver level. The prestigious AMA distinction is granted only to organizations that attest to the rigorous criteria of the Joy in Medicine™ Health System Recognition Program and demonstrate a commitment to preserving the well-being of clinical care team members through proven efforts to combat work-related stress and burnout.
“Our physicians, nurses, and all healthcare professionals are the lifeblood of our organization, tirelessly working day and night to provide the highest quality care to our patients,” said Cary D’Ortona, president, Orlando Health Medical Group. “We consider clinical wellness to be a cornerstone of a thriving healthcare environment and are committed to a workplace culture that values mental health and physical wellness.”
“It is the selflessness and exceptional skills of our physicians, advance practice providers, nursing colleagues, administrators and other team members which inspires our focus on their wellness,” added Aurelio Duran, MD, physician co-director, Orlando Health Medical Group Wellness & Resilience program. “These are the true heroes of our community and by prioritizing their health and happiness through our wellness initiatives, we can ensure that they continue to provide compassionate and high-quality care to our patients, day in and day out.”
“Our model prioritizes raising awareness while providing a proactive and adaptable range of initiatives that support, educate and address the distinct needs of our clinical community,” added Mary Senne, PhD, administrative co-director, Orlando Health Medical Group Wellness & Resilience program. “The physical and emotional toll of this profession can be immense, and it’s necessary to have organized strategies to support and nurture the well-being of our healthcare workers.”
Burnout rates among the nation’s physicians and other health care professionals spiked dramatically as the COVID-19 pandemic placed acute stress on care teams and exacerbated long-standing system issues. While the worst days of the pandemic have passed, the lingering impact of work-related burnout remains an obstacle to achieving national health goals.
Orlando Health, and other candidates for the Joy in Medicine™ recognition, were evaluated according to their documented efforts to reduce work-related burnout through system level drivers. Each recognition level – Bronze, Silver and Gold – are determined based on demonstrated competencies in commitment, assessment, leadership, efficiency of practice environment, teamwork and support. Orlando Health received Bronze recognition in 2022 and is honored in 2023 with the Silver level award.
Examples of Orlando Health’s Wellness & Resilience program include compassion rounds, where team members are given the space to share, listen and obtain tools to better cope with challenges; a provider engagement survey that is used by physician, nursing and administrative leadership to understand how to better engage and improve the day-to-day practices of physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs); a customized leadership program designed to enhance the work of providers who aspire to advance to top-level leadership positions within the organization; an initiative to ensure physicians have work-life integration that allows for work satisfaction, practice efficiency as well as personal down time; an educational platform that provides training for best-in-class customer services skills and one-on-one meetings where providers can discuss professional and personal goals.
Since its inception in 2019, the Joy in Medicine™ Health System Recognition Program has recognized more than 100 organizations across the country. In 2023, a total of 72 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.
