National Academy of Medicine names Geisinger a ‘Change Maker’ for its focus on healthcare workforce well-being

SCRANTON – Underscoring their commitment to the well-being of the healthcare workforce, Geisinger and Geisinger College of Health Sciences pledged to support the National Academy of Medicine’s (NAM) Change Maker Campaign for Health Workforce Well-Being.

To highlight its Change Makers program, NAM is observing the inaugural Health Workforce Well-Being Day of Awareness on Monday, March 18. This date honors the enactment anniversary of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, which aims to reduce and prevent suicide, burnout and mental and behavioral health conditions among health professionals.

Susan Parisi, MD, Geisinger’s chief wellness officer, who oversees Geisinger’s Center for Professionalism and Well-being said, “Healthcare workers across the country are feeling heightened levels of burnout and stress. It’s a reality that requires our full attention. Our teams do incredibly important and rewarding work that can be equally demanding — physically, mentally and emotionally. Building a culture where employees feel supported and comfortable asking for help is a necessary effort that’s going to take all of us — and we’re glad to do our part at Geisinger.”

NAM launched the Change Maker Campaign in October 2023 to spark a national movement to drive policy and systems change. The first step is for participating institutions to make well-being a long-term value by embedding wellness into the day-to-day experiences of clinicians and learners.

Halle Ellison, MD, Geisinger College of Health Sciences director of student wellness, said wellness efforts at the College mirror those in the system. “The fact that we're aligned makes for a better experience for our students and learners. When they’re in the learning environment, they know they have the support of the college and the support of the system — that everybody together has made a commitment to their wellness.”

Today, together with hundreds of other organizations across the country, Geisinger celebrates its commitment to NAM’s goal of “turning the tide of health worker burnout and rebuilding a thriving health profession.” 

About Geisinger
Geisinger is among the nation’s leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in urban and rural communities across Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the non-profit system generates $10 billion in annual revenues across 134 care sites - including 10 hospital campuses, and Geisinger Health Plan, with 600,000 members in commercial and government plans. The Geisinger College of Health Sciences educates more than 5,000 medical professionals annually and conducts more than 1,400 clinical research studies. With 26,000 employees, including 1,600 employed physicians, Geisinger is among Pennsylvania’s largest employers with an estimated economic impact of $14 billion to the state’s economy. On March 31, 2024, Geisinger became the first member of Risant Health, a new nonprofit charitable organization created to expand and accelerate value-based care across the country.  Learn more at geisinger.org or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.