News

Contact: Lauren Brendel, M.S.

The American Medical Association (AMA) recognized 44 health care organizations as recipients of the 2021 Joy in Medicine™ Health System Recognition Program in early October 2021. Bozeman Health is proud and thrilled to be one of the 2021 recipients, and honored that we are the only health system in Montana to receive this recognition. The AMA distinction recognizes health systems with a demonstrated commitment to preserving the well-being of health care team members by engaging in proven efforts to combat work-related stress and burnout.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has placed extraordinary stress on physicians and other health care professionals,” said AMA President Gerald E. Harmon, M.D. “While it is always important for health systems to focus on the well-being of care teams, the imperative is greater than ever as acute stress from combatting the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to higher rates of work overload, anxiety, and depression. The health systems we recognize today are true leaders in promoting an organizational response that makes a difference in the lives of the health care workforce.”

A national study examining the experiences of physicians and other health care workers who worked in health care systems during the COVID-19 pandemic found that 38% self-reported experiencing anxiety or depression, while 43% suffered from work overload and 49% had burnout.

Candidates for the Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program were evaluated according to their documented efforts to reduce work-related burnout through system level drivers. Scoring criteria was based on demonstrated competencies in commitment, assessment, leadership, efficiency of practice environment, teamwork, and support.

"We are honored to accept this recognition from the AMA. This award brings attention to the work that we and others have done over several years at Bozeman Health to elevate the importance of care team well-being. As wellness directors, we remain committed to expanding best practices and to improving well-being and care team experience across our system,” shared Dr. Melissa Reily (L).

Dr. Melissa Wolf (R) stated, “This health system recognition is only the beginning. We remain dedicated to doing all we can to improve the day to day experience of our physician and advanced practice clinician colleagues in the clinical practice of medicine.”

Launched in 2019, the Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program is a component of the AMA’s practice transformation efforts, an ambitious initiative to advance evidence-based solutions that fill the knowledge gap in effective solutions to the physician burnout crisis.

The AMA continues to work on every front to address the physician burnout crisis. Through their research, collaborations, advocacy and leadership, the AMA is working to make the patient‐physician relationship more valued than paperwork, preventive care the focus of the future, technology an asset and not a burden, and physician burnout a thing of the past.