Cognitive Skill-Building for Well-Being - Episode 4
Release Date: 11/21/2019
Shifting the Lens: Dr. Elliott Higgins on Measuring System-Level Influencers of Well-Being in Health Care
ACGME Well-Being Podcasts
In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin speaks with Dr. Elliott Higgins, director of Health and Well-Being for UCLA’s Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine. Together they explore the development of the Well-Being Influencers Survey for Health Care (WISH)—a validated, non-proprietary tool that measures the organizational conditions shaping clinician well-being. Dr. Higgins discusses how WISH shifts the focus from individual burnout to systemic factors such as transparency, fairness, and psychological safety, offering leaders actionable insights to drive meaningful change. The...
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Empowering Faculty Leadership: Dr. Saadia Akhtar and the Well-Being Champion Model
ACGME Well-Being Podcasts
In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin speaks with Dr. Saadia Akhtar, professor of emergency medicine and senior associate dean for Trainee Well-Being and GME at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. They explore the evolution of Mount Sinai’s GME Well-Being Champion Program—an initiative that empowers faculty champions across specialties and sites to identify local challenges and drive meaningful improvements in workplace culture and efficiency. Dr. Akhtar shares how the program fosters collaboration, builds community, and supports learners and champions through structured debriefs,...
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The Hidden Stress of Leadership: Addressing the Well-Being of GME Leaders with Dr. Sydney Ey
ACGME Well-Being Podcasts
In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin speaks with Dr. Sydney Ey, clinical psychologist and founder of the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Consult Service for Leaders and Teams. Together, they explore the emotional toll leadership can take within graduate medical education (GME), especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Ey discusses how the consult service offers psychological first aid, peer support, and guidance to leaders facing stress, isolation, and moral distress. She highlights the importance of proactive outreach, institutional backing, and the ripple effect...
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Understanding Depression and Suicide in Medical Residents: Insights from Dr. Srijan Sen
ACGME Well-Being Podcasts
In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin interviews Dr. Srijan Sen, professor of depression and neurosciences in the Department of Psychiatry and director of the Francis and Kenneth Eisenberg and Family Depression Center at the University of Michigan. They discuss Dr. Sen’s extensive research on depression in medical residents, exploring the relationship between depression and suicide. The conversation delves into the multifactorial nature of suicide, the impact of workplace conditions on mental health, and the importance of both treatment and prevention of depression. Dr. Sen shares insights on...
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Transforming Suicide Prevention in Medicine: Strategies from Dr. Christine Moutier and Dr. Sid Zisook
ACGME Well-Being Podcasts
In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin interviews Dr. Christine Moutier, chief medical officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and Dr. Sid Zisook, professor of psychiatry at the University of California and director of the Physician Peer Support Program. They discuss their pioneering work in suicide prevention at the University of California, San Diego, including the development of the HEAR Program (Healer, Education, Assessment, and Referral). The conversation explores the multifaceted approach they took, including education, screening, and warm referrals, to support mental...
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Remembering Sarah: Navigating Grief and Advocacy in Medicine
ACGME Well-Being Podcasts
In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin interviews Dr. Alan Nager, professor of pediatrics and division director for emergency medicine and transport medicine at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. They discuss the tragic loss of Dr. Nager’s daughter, Sarah, a pediatric resident who died by suicide. The conversation focuses on Sarah’s life, her passions, and her journey in medicine. Dr. Nager shares his insights on the pressures faced by medical residents and the importance of mental health support. They also explore strategies for creating supportive environments and reducing barriers to mental...
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Suicide Awareness and Prevention: A Conversation with Corey Feist
ACGME Well-Being Podcasts
In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin interviews Corey Feist, founder and CEO of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation. They discuss Corey’s involvement in suicide awareness and prevention initiatives following the tragic death of his sister-in-law, Dr. Lorna Breen. The conversation focuses on the immense pressures faced by health care professionals, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Corey shares insights into the importance of mental health support, connection, and belonging in the medical field. They also discuss practical strategies for creating supportive environments and...
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Building Resilience: Preventive Interventions for Mental Health in Medicine
ACGME Well-Being Podcasts
In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin interviews Dr. Paul Chelminski from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and Dr. Mukta Panda, CLER Field Representative at the ACGME. They discuss their involvement in well-being initiatives and their active roles in the Collaborative for Healing and Renewal in Medicine (CHARM). The conversation focuses on suicide prevention, exploring both immediate and preventive interventions. Both share their insights on the importance of connection, belonging, and finding meaning. They also discuss practical strategies for creating supportive environments...
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Facing Shame: Dr. Will Bynum on Transition Challenges in Graduate Medical Education
ACGME Well-Being Podcasts
In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin interviews Dr. Will Bynum, an associate professor of family medicine at Duke University. They discuss the challenges of transitions in graduate medical education, particularly from medical school to residency, and the associated risks to well-being and mental health. Dr. Bynum explains how transitions can heighten feelings of shame due to new responsibilities, uncertainties, and high expectations. He describes shame as a “fire” that can be ignited in these combustible environments, affecting self-esteem and identity. The conversation emphasizes the...
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Better Together: Drs. Tyra Fainstad and Adrienne Mann on Physician Coaching and Transition Challenges
ACGME Well-Being Podcasts
In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin interviews Drs. Tyra Fainstad and Adrienne Mann from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. They discuss their creation of the Better Together Physician Coaching Program, which aims to support medical professionals during transitions, particularly from medical school to residency. Dr. Fainstad shares her struggles with seeking approval and anxiety during transitions, while Dr. Mann discusses her challenges with burnout, infertility, and balancing professional and personal life. Both emphasize the importance of coaching in helping them reexamine...
info_outlineACGME Senior Scholar for Well-Being Dr. Stuart Slavin discusses what residency programs can do to help physicians cope with negative mindsets and impostor phenomenon. Dr. Slavin provides an overview of several concepts from cognitive psychology, such as explanatory style and emotional self-regulation, that programs can introduce to their local curriculum to help residents and faculty enhance their well-being.