CHRISTUS Health, an international Catholic nonprofit health system, was recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA) for its role in boosting the welfare of clinical care professionals, including handling any career issues that cause stress and burnout. The recognition is a prestigious AMA distinction for organizations that qualified for the Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program. A total of 72 health systems across the US were selected for the 2023 award for their documented efforts to mitigate issues related to work burnout. In addition, selected organizations demonstrated excellence in the areas of leadership, commitment, assessment, teamwork, and practice environment efficiency.
According to Dr. Steven Keuer, CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic president and chief medical officer, clinicians are the cornerstone of the healing ministry and investing in them boosts the values of excellence, compassion, integrity, and stewardship, which in turn raises the quality of life of those in the community.
Through the HoneyComb Project, CHRISTUS introduced programs aimed at lowering burnout and increasing the safety of workers, as well as improving the retention of physicians and clinicians. CHRISTUS Health advanced from a Bronze recognition in 2021 to a Silver recognition in 2023, among 26 health systems across the US that received Silver recognition. The Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program seeks to unite the healthcare community to develop a nationwide culture that helps organizations put in place action plans to enhance professional fulfillment of clinical healthcare teams.
