HealthPartners receives American Medical Association honor for physician well-being

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — HealthPartners announced today it has earned recognition from the American Medical Association (AMA) as a Joy in Medicine™ health organization. This prestigious distinction is granted to organizations that meet the criteria of the Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program, which empowers health systems to reduce physician burnout and build well-being so that physicians – and their patients – thrive. HealthPartners received a bronze-level designation, which is valid for two years.

This award recognizes the collective effort of so many in our organization who’ve made clinician well-being a top priority,” said Dr. Natalia Dorf Biderman, HealthPartners senior medical advisor of clinician well-being. “From the clinician experience team and the physician/clinician services department to operational leaders, HR, leadership development, and quality, every initiative is a testament to our organization’s commitment to improving the health care system and lives of our clinicians.”

After peaking during the COVID-19 pandemic, the physician burnout rate has dipped under 50 percent for the first time in four years. This is a milestone in preventing and reducing physician burnout, but continued efforts are essential to ensure doctors receive the support they need to thrive and achieve national health goals.

“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,” said AMA President Dr. Bruce A. Scott. “There is no doubt change is needed, but what needs to change is not the doctors. 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.”

At HealthPartners, a dedicated clinician well-being team created a process that connects clinicians to leaders across the organization and resources such as clinician town halls, surveys and how to effectively use survey results. The changes elevate clinicians’ voices in the spaces where decisions are made, foster a culture of community and offer support at each stage of their careers.

Since its inception in 2019, the AMA Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program has recognized more than 100 organizations across the country. This year, 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. These organizations join a strong cohort of currently recognized organizations from the 2023 program.

Learn more about the AMA Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program at ama-assn.org/joyinmedicine.