Direct employment and subsidiary models are increasingly the norm for large health systems to engage with physicians. However, no playbook exists for how to build, manage, grow, and motivate a large physician workforce, particularly in an essential hospital environment. This session offers a behind-the-scenes look at the maturation of a newly formed subsidiary physician group featuring more than 300 physicians from a diverse array of specialties, within Alameda Health System, in Oakland, Calif., a large essential hospital. In its first two years, Alameda substantially reduced physician turnover, grew headcount by 30 percent, and began building a culture of performance and inclusivity. 

Speaker(s):
Chitra Akileswaran, MD, MBA  
President and Chief Executive  
Alameda Health Medical Group at Alameda Health System   

Berenice Perez, MD  
Board President  
Alameda Health Medical Group at Alameda Health System   

The COVID-19 pandemic poured gasoline on an out-of-control mental health crisis in the U.S. health care system that was losing health care workers of all disciplines to burnout, drop out, depression, substance abuse, and suicide—including 400 U.S. physicians a year lost to suicide alone. Discover how two essential hospitals—NYC Health + Hospitals, in New York, and Grady Health System, in Atlanta—have provided emotional support to health care providers.

Leaders from NYC Health + Hospitals will share how they leveraged, evolved, and expanded their Helping Healers Heal program and behavioral health services to support their 42,000 staff emotionally and psychologically through this once-in-a-century pandemic. Leaders from Grady Health System will share how they developed a unique approach to supporting employees through easily accessible sessions with a health care­–based provider. The program uses a warm call line, telehealth, in-person appointments, and group debriefs as applicable to provide emotional support for employees, and has proven to reduce anxiety and depression for participants.

Presenter(s):
Shannon Sale
Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer
Grady Health

Jeremy Segall, MA, RDT, LCAT
Chief Wellness Officer
NYC Health + Hospitals

Eric Wei, MD, MBA
Senior Vice President and Chief Quality Officer
NYC Health + Hospitals