Parkland honored for promoting well-being of healthcare workers
Recognition program aims to reduce clinician burnout
There is joy at Parkland Health.
Parkland has earned distinction from the American Medical Association (AMA) as a Joy in Medicine™ recognized organization. The 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.
“We are grateful to receive this recognition from the AMA,” said Jennifer Wimberly, MD, Medical Director of Clinical Ethics and Resiliency, Parkland Health. “The Joy in Medicine recognition not only reflects organizational priorities to care for our workforce members but also provides a roadmap for continued efforts to mitigate emotional and physical exhaustion. Receiving this recognition shows all of us at Parkland that we are on the right path - the path to joy in medicine.”
According to the AMA, burnout rates among the nation’s physicians and other healthcare professionals spiked dramatically as the COVID-19 pandemic placed acute stress on care teams. While the worst days of the pandemic have passed, the lingering impact of work-related burnout in healthcare remains.
“Health organizations that have earned recognition from the AMA’s Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program are leading a national movement that has declared the well-being of health professionals to be an essential element for providing high-quality care to patients, families, and communities,” said AMA President Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, MD, MPH. “Each Joy in Medicine recognized organization is distinguished as among the nation’s best at creating a culture of wellness that makes a difference in the lives of clinical care teams.”
Parkland earned the Joy in Medicine Recognition by demonstrating a number of internal initiatives intended to address burnout and promote a culture of well-being for all Parkland clinical care team members. Those initiatives include the SPARKS (Supporting Parkland Staff) program which provides confidential peer support to Parkland clinicians who experience a stressful patient-related event. Also considered in the recognition process was Parkland’s practice of Schwartz Rounds, which offers healthcare providers a regularly scheduled time to openly and honestly discuss the social and emotional issues they face in caring for patients and families. Contributions from Parkland executive leadership and clinical informatics under the direction of Brett Moran, MD, Parkland SVP, Associate Chief Medical Officer and Chief Medical Information Officer were also instrumental in the success of this submission.
“This recognition is a summary of organizational efforts that provide a holistic approach to joy in medicine,” said Dr. Wimberly. “I am excited to say that more collaborations are underway for support of our workforce members at Parkland.”
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.
For more information about Parkland, visit www.parklandhealth.org.
To learn more about careers at Parkland, visit www.parklandcareers.com.
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