Transforming Suicide Prevention in Medicine: Strategies from Dr. Christine Moutier and Dr. Sid Zisook
Release Date: 09/13/2024
Balancing Purpose and Comfort: Daniel Saddawi-Konefka and Matthew Tung on Physician Well-Being
ACGME Well-Being Podcast
In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin is joined by Dr. Daniel Saddawi‑Konefka, associate professor of anesthesia, and Dr. Matthew Tung, instructor in anesthesia, both at Harvard Medical School. They discuss their JAMA viewpoint, Meaning and Comfort in Physician Well‑Being: An Integrated Framework, and explore how two complementary dimensions of well‑being—meaning and comfort—can help physicians thrive throughout their careers. Drawing on concepts rooted in ancient Greek philosophy, Drs. Saddawi‑Konefka and Tung examine the relationship between eudaimonia (the sense of purpose and...
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Growing in GME: Bret Stevens and Reanna Benedict on Community, Mentorship, and Lifelong Learning
ACGME Well-Being Podcast
In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin is joined by Bret Stevens, director of medical education and associate designated institutional official (DIO) at McLaren Oakland, and Reanna Benedict, director of GME operations and assistant DIO at Lexington Health. Drawing on their leadership experience and service on the ACGME's Coordinator Advisory Group, they explore how community-building and professional development can strengthen job satisfaction, resilience, and long-term success for program coordinators and other GME professionals. Bret and Reanna discuss the importance of building connections at...
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Navigating the Coordinator Role: Julie Beckerdite and Carrie Racsumberger on Communication, Boundaries, and Building Strong Relationships
ACGME Well-Being Podcast
In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin is joined by Julie Beckerdite, director of education for the Departments of Pathology and Psychiatry, and Carrie Racsumberger, fellowship program manager in the Department of Pathology - both at Mass General Brigham. Together, they share insights from their work on the ACGME Coordinator Advisory Group in a practical conversation on the relationships that shape the program coordinator role in graduate medical education (GME). Drawing on their experience, Beckerdite and Racsumberger discuss how interactions with residents, fellows, faculty members, and program...
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Expanding Access to Mental Health Care: Dr. Daniel Saddawi‑Konefka on Reducing Barriers and Changing Culture
ACGME Well-Being Podcast
In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin welcomes Dr. Daniel Saddawi‑Konefka, associate professor of anesthesia at Harvard Medical School and co-founder of the Emotional PPE Project, for a thoughtful conversation on improving access to mental health care for health care professionals. Dr. Saddawi‑Konefka shares the origins of the Emotional PPE Project, created during the COVID‑19 pandemic to connect clinicians with free, confidential, and accessible mental health support, and outlines its dual focus on immediate care and long‑term cultural change. The discussion explores the complex,...
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Understanding Physician Health Programs: Support, Safety, and Misconceptions
ACGME Well-Being Podcast
In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin welcomes Dr. Chris Bundy, executive medical director of the Washington Physician Health Program and chief medical officer of the Federation of State Physician Health Programs, for a comprehensive conversation on the role of Physician Health Programs (PHPs) in supporting physicians and protecting patient safety. Dr. Bundy explains how PHPs have evolved over the past several decades, their dual mission of rehabilitation and public protection, and the range of issues they address, including mental health, substance use, and cognitive concerns. The discussion...
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Using Well‑Being Data to Drive Change: Nick Yaghmour and Greg Wallingford on Turning ACGME Survey Results into Action
ACGME Well-Being Podcast
In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin is joined by Nick Yaghmour, director of Resident Experience, Well‑Being, and Milestones Research at the ACGME, and Dr. Greg Wallingford, assistant professor of Internal Medicine and assistant dean for Professional Fulfillment and Well‑Being at Dell Medical School. Together, they explore how the 12 well‑being items included in the ACGME annual Resident/Fellow and Faculty Surveys can be thoughtfully interpreted, and responsibly used, to support residents, fellows, faculty members, and programs. The conversation explores the origins and intent of the...
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Supporting Program Coordinator Well‑Being: Melanie Pigott and Cindy Thompson on Workload, Flexibility, and Burnout
ACGME Well-Being Podcast
In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin is joined by Melanie Pigott, the residency coordinator of the emergency medicine program at the Medical University of South Carolina, and Cindy Thompson, a senior program administrator for the orthopaedic surgery program at West Virginia University, for a focused conversation on program coordinator well‑being in graduate medical education. Program coordinators play a vital role in GME programs, yet their roles have become increasingly complex, demanding, and pressured—often with little margin for rest or recovery. Drawing on their years of experience and...
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Building a Culture of Well‑Being: Dr. Kristen Demertzis on Systemic Change in Medical Training
ACGME Well-Being Podcast
In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin speaks with Dr. Kristen Demertzis, clinical psychologist and director of GME Well‑Being at Northwell Health. They explore how thoughtful, system‑level approaches can strengthen the well‑being of residents, fellows, faculty members, and program leaders across a large academic health system. Dr. Demertzis shares her journey into resident well‑being work, the importance of early culture‑setting during orientation, and how fostering psychological safety and shared vulnerability helps residents and fellows feel supported. She discusses a range of...
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Empowering Medical Teams: Dr. Kerri Palamara on Transforming Residency Through Coaching and Connection
ACGME Well-Being Podcast
In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin welcomes Dr. Kerri Palamara, Gill and Allan Gray Family Endowed Chair and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, to discuss the evolution and impact of physician coaching in graduate medical education. Dr. Palamara shares how her journey led to developing scalable, faculty-driven coaching programs that foster psychological safety, agency, and authentic connection among residents and faculty. The conversation explores the distinctions between mentoring and coaching, the core skills required for effective coaching, and the positive ripple...
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Creating Thriving Workplaces: Dr. Greg Guldner on Applying Self-Determination Theory to Graduate Medical Education
ACGME Well-Being Podcast
In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin speaks with Dr. Greg Guldner, director of GME Well-Being and assistant dean for Graduate Medical Education at Loma Linda University Health. They discuss how self-determination theory (SDT)—the most widely researched framework for understanding human motivation—can guide meaningful, system-level change in medical education and training. Dr. Guldner explains how autonomy, belonging, competence, and deep meaning (the “ABCDs” of well-being) form the foundation for a healthier workplace culture. Through practical examples and data-driven outcomes, he...
info_outlineIn 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 health among physicians and other health care workers. Both share insights on the importance of addressing stigma, creating supportive environments, and implementing comprehensive mental health programs.