Healthy Healer | Prevention and Wellness Priority

Promoting Well-Being for our Medical Family

Mission & Vision for Healthy Healer Program (HHP):

Vision: The HHP’s vision is to create and sustain a vibrant and healthy medical community where every physician and physician assistant feels safe, nurtured and supported.
Mission: WCMS’ Healthy Healer Program promotes physician and physician assistant wellbeing and assists providers experiencing burnout through advocacy, education, and supportive resources and services.

The Healthy Healer Program offers:

Advocacy	Events
WCMS advocates to improve systems and policies that reduce factors contributing to burnout. In 2016, WCMS successfully advocated for a change in the NC Medical Board’s definition of burnout– allowing physicians & physician assistants to seek help without having to report it.	WCMS annually hosts one to two burnout prevention retreats for physicians, physician assistants, and significant others. Events feature expert, engaging speakers and CME is offered.
Counseling	Coaching
WCMS has vetted licensed therapists and psychiatrists who are knowledgeable about provider burnout and skilled to work with medical providers. Therapists participating in WCMS’ Healthy Healer program offer a 15% discount to WCMS members.	WCMS has vetted professional coaches who can coach providers on how to address work and personal life dilemmas that lead to burnout. Coaches participating in WCMS’ Healthy Healer program offer a 15% discount services to WCMS members.
Click here for more information on Counseling and Coaching
Connectivity	Resources
WCMS facilitates affinity groups for similar physicians to connect (e.g., Women in Medicine, Rural Medicine, Independent Physicians, and Physician Assistants).	WCMS runs a column called “Healthy Healer” every week in our e-Newsletter. We are also developing an online resource library (see articles below). Most recently, we're offering confidential peer assistance for physicians flagged by NCMB for opioid prescribing practices. Click here to learn more.
Concierge Services	Meal Preparation & Delivery
WCMS has vetted a local concierge service that can provide essential, time-saving benefits such as: grocery shopping, appointment scheduling, event planning, dog walking and more! A 15% discount applies for WCMS members. To learn more and to schedule with Tick Tock Concierge, click here.	Enjoy a 10% discount on meal preparation and delivery through our local meal delivery partner, Asheville Pro Kitchen. This perk is designed to save you time and keep you and your family eating healthy at an affordable cost! To learn more about Asheville Pro Kitchen, click here.

Articles about Burnout/Wellness:

"A Change in Policy Regarding Burnout by the NC Medical Board" - by Dr. Robert C. Henderson
"Message from the President"- by Dr. Samantha Read-Smith
"The Loss of One of our Own, To Suicide" - by Dr. Robert C. Henderson
"A Burnout Epidemic: 25 Notes on Physician Burnout in the US" - by Brooke Murphy
"Simple Tool Shows Lasting Reduction in Burnout" - by Rabiya S. Tuma
"The Business Case for Investing in Physician Well-being" - by Tait Shanafelt, MD; Joel Goh, PhD; Christine Sinsky, MD
"Beating Physician Burnout" by Kevin Kunzmann
"Medical Society Addresses Physician Burnout" by Jacqui Castle
"Physicians Must Recognize That They Need Care Too" by Dr. Laura Fleck

Questions or thoughts?

If you are suicidal and need emergency help, call 911 immediately or 1-800-273-8255 if in the United States. If you are in another country, find a 24/7 hotline at www.iasp.info/resources/Crises_Centres.

This program is supported by