Community Health Network announced it is providing resources to help combat physician “burnout.” A leadership team has also been established to develop and implement programs dedicated to physician well-being.
The Center for Physician Well-Being and Professional Development provides tools, support and resources Community physicians can utilize to stay focused on, and engaged in, quality patient care.
Physician burnout is marked by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and a decreased sense of personal accomplishment brought on by the increasing demands put on healthcare providers.
It is estimated one half of physicians nationwide report at least one symptom of physician burnout. Patient safety, quality of care and healthcare costs are impacted as a result.
Focused on the joy of practicing medicine, the Center for Physician Well-Being and Professional Development is a unique support system led by a dedicated team of caregivers focused on implementing organizational and structural changes, training and support that will enhance the physician experience.
A Physician Leadership Academy launched this month for a cohort of over 30 physician leaders at Community.
“This is not just about physician well-being. This is about patient well-being,” said Dr. Kevin Coss, a board-certified internal medicine physician at Community and the newly-named medical director for physician well-being. “To continue our commitment to exceptional patient care, we need to proactively address the needs of our own team of highly qualified physicians and caregivers.”
The leadership team for the center is comprised of:
- Dr. Kevin Coss, who serves as Medical Director for Physician Well-Being for the center and Community Physician Network. Dr. Coss has been in practice since 1987 as a board-certified internal medicine physician. He graduated from the Medical College of Ohio and completed his internship and residency at Indiana University. Dr. Coss is a founding board member for Community Physician Network. Additionally, he has been recognized with an Internal Medicine Care Best Quality Practice Award (2015) and has been named among Indianapolis’ Top Doctors since 2003.
- Dr. Tricia Hern, who is the center’s Director of Physician Professional Development. Dr. Hern has been with Community since 2008, first as a faculty member and then program director of the East Family Medicine Residency. She continues to devote her efforts to Academic Affairs at Community, while serving in her new role in the center. Dr. Hern completed medical school at Northwestern University in Chicago and her residency training in family medicine at University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
- Ann Ostrom, who is serving as Director of Physician Leadership and Well-Being. Ann began her career at Community in 1981. She has held director-level roles in human resources at both Community and Visionary Enterprises, Inc. Most recently she worked in Community’s HR department as Talent Development Manager. Ann earned her MS in Management and Leadership from WGU in 2016.
It is believed Community is the only health system in the state of Indiana to fund this kind of initiative.
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About Community Health Network
Ranked among the nation’s most integrated healthcare systems, Community Health Network is Central Indiana’s leader in providing convenient access to exceptional healthcare services, where and when patients need them—in hospitals, health pavilions and doctor’s offices, as well as workplaces, schools and homes. As a non-profit health system with over 200 sites of care and affiliates throughout Central Indiana, Community’s full continuum of care integrates hundreds of physicians, specialty and acute care hospitals, surgery centers, home care services, MedChecks, behavioral health and employer health services. To learn more, visit eCommunity.com or call 800-777-7775.
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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/329ab37f-9053-473e-93e0-9c00bbe9f8e7