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Past Medicus Integra Recipients
2025
White Oak Medical Center Honored for Commitment to Clinician Well-Being For those who dedicate their lives to healing others, the journey is both rewarding and demanding. Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) often carry the weight of long hours, emotional intensity, and the constant pursuit of excellence in patient care. At Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center, leadership has long recognized that caring for those who care for others is essential. Now, their steadfast commitment has earned them national recognition: the Medicus Integra© Award from The Coalition for Physician & APP Well-Being. This prestigious award celebrates healthcare organizations that go beyond standard wellness initiatives and demonstrate a culture of support, innovation, and sustainability in physician and APP well-being. It acknowledges institutions that don’t just talk about wellness but actively shape environments where clinicians can thrive, grow, and feel truly valued. The honor comes as a direct result of White Oak Medical Center’s deep-rooted investment in mentorship, mental health resources, and structured support systems designed to create a workplace where well-being is not just encouraged—it’s a priority. “We are thrilled to receive the Medicus Integra Award,” says James Rost, MD, vice president and chief medical officer of White Oak Medical Center. “Supporting our medical staff’s well-being is a top priority, and we have been actively strengthening our programs and increasing our initiatives under the leadership of the hospital’s Physician and APP Wellness Advisory Committee. Some of our most impactful efforts include free coaching, counseling, access to well-being resources, and affinity groups, ensuring that our clinicians have the support they need to maintain their passion and purpose in medicine.” These initiatives foster meaningful connections among clinicians, providing a space where they can share experiences, seek guidance, and feel heard. The results speak for themselves: reduced burnout, improved morale, and a stronger sense of community and collaboration. An Award The Represents Real Change Unlike many workplace recognitions, the Medicus Integra Award is not simply given based on applications or surveys. The selection process includes on-site evaluations, direct engagement with frontline staff, and an in-depth look at an organization’s commitment to well-being. DeAnna Santana, PhD, Executive Director at The Coalition for Physician & APP Well-Being, explains what set White Oak Medical Center apart: “When we conduct our reviews, we look for evidence of real cultural transformation. We seek out organizations where leaders are genuinely listening to their teams and making meaningful, lasting changes. White Oak Medical Center exemplifies those qualities and has demonstrated a clear commitment to sustainable clinician well-being.” A Win for Clinicians, A Win for Patients A healthier workforce doesn’t just benefit the people within the hospital walls—it directly enhances patient care. “Maintaining a continuous focus on the well-being of our physicians and APPs has empowered White Oak Medical Center to reduce burnout, foster stronger working relationships, and enhance the quality of patient care,” says Anthony Stahl, president of White Oak Medical Center. “It also aligns with our mission of extending God’s care through the ministry of physical, mental, and spiritual healing. We are grateful to The Coalition for recognizing our efforts and reinforcing the importance of this work.” When physicians and APPs feel valued, supported, and energized, their ability to provide compassionate, high-quality care flourishes. White Oak Medical Center has proven that investing in clinician well-being isn’t just an initiative—it’s a necessity. Inspiring a New Standard in Healthcare With the Medicus Integra Award now in hand, White Oak Medical Center is leading the way in reimagining how hospitals support, uplift, and empower their clinicians. This award serves not as a conclusion, but as a milestone in a continuous journey to build a healthier, more sustainable healthcare environment. “We hope our work inspires other institutions to take bold steps in prioritizing physician and APP well-being,” says Stahl. “Because when clinicians thrive, patients, families, and entire communities benefit.” White Oak Medical Center has set a powerful example for healthcare organizations nationwide, proving that when a hospital invests in its people, everyone wins. The impact of this commitment will be felt not just today, but for generations to come.
2022
The Texas Health Physicians Group, a 2022 Medicus Integra© award recipient, is part of Texas Health Resources, based in Arlington, Texas. With around 1,075 providers, including 600 physicians, the group serves a broad area in northern Texas and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan region. Since 2018, the leadership, primarily composed of physicians, has prioritized physician wellbeing in their culture and workflows, led by Dr. Lynn Myers. Their commitment has resulted in improved productivity during the COVID-19 pandemic, with physicians expressing trust in the administration and a collaborative, transparent culture that values their input and initiatives.
Bon Secours Mercy Health (BSMH), also a 2022 Medicus Integra© awardee, has roots in the Congregation of the Sisters of Bon Secours and the Religious Sisters of Mercy. Formed in 2018 through the merger of Bon Secours Health System and Mercy Health, BSMH operates over 1,000 care sites across seven states and Ireland, serving more than 1.3 million unique patients annually. The organization aims to enhance the compassionate ministry of Jesus while addressing key questions about provider engagement and autonomy. BSMH is recognized for initiatives like SafeCARE for medical error management, equitable physician compensation, and robust medical education, reflecting their commitment to both patient care and physician support.
2019
Mercy Health Physicians is a multi-specialty medical group comprising around 900 physicians across Ohio and Kentucky. As part of Mercy Health, which merged with Bon Secours to create Bon Secours Mercy Health, the organization now boasts over 1,600 physicians. Mercy Health Physicians is recognized for several initiatives, including the New Provider Welcome Program, which features monthly TelePresence meetings led by executive and physician leaders to help new providers acclimate to the organizational culture. They also offer a confidential and complimentary Employee Assistance Program (EAP), LifeMatters©, for physicians facing significant stress or crises. Additionally, the Leadership in Medicine program is a six-day residential course that covers leadership theory, change management, communication skills, and organizational culture. The SafeCARE system allows for instantaneous, anonymous incident reporting under a "no retaliation" policy, addressing issues such as medical errors and safety concerns. Lastly, Mercy Health has a robust bioethics program that involves physicians in the ethics review and consultation process.
2018
AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center Hinsdale and AMITA Adventist Medical Center La Grange are of a joint operating company established in 2015 with Adventist Health and Alexian Brothers, encompassing nine hospitals throughout Illinois. Located less than 20 minutes apart and nearly 3 miles from each other, these facilities share medical staff and leadership across two licenses. AMITA Health La Grange is a 196-bed community hospital, while AMITA Health Hinsdale has 261 beds. Through leadership transitions and collaborative efforts, both hospitals have demonstrated resilience and remain committed to enhancing the culture among their medical staff. Notable initiatives at AMITA Health Hinsdale and La Grange include a decade-long Physician Well-Being Steering Committee, diverse physician gatherings, funding for counseling services, a Physician Arts program showcasing artwork in the lounge, gratitude baskets for thank-you notes, opportunities for mission trips, value awards for physicians embodying the organization’s values, and a Physician Advisory Council for open discussions between physicians and administrators.
2017
Shawnee Mission Medical Center (SMMC) is a 376-bed community hospital in Shawnee Mission, Kansas, operated by Adventist Health System (AHS). SMMC is a leader in promoting physician well-being through various initiatives, including a thank you note station in the physician lounge to foster collegiality, a dedicated Physician Well-being Committee, and a Peer Support Program for new medical staff.
St. Vincent Medical Group (SVMG) is a-specialty physician group in Indiana with around 1,500 physicians, supported by Saint Vincent Hospital. SVMG is recognized for its strong onboarding process, including Mission Formation retreats, a Life Centered Mentoring program to combat professional burnout, and a well-defined Code of Conduct that addresses professionalism.
Park Ridge Hospital (PRH) is a 98-bed community hospital in Hendersonville, North Carolina, also operated by AHS. PRH has enhanced its well-being program, receiving accolades for engaging medical staff in a culture of well-being, establishing a structured mentoring program, and collaborating with community resources to provide additional support services for physicians.
2016
The Medical Center of Aurora (TMCA), a250-bed community hospital located in Denver, Colorado, is operated by the Hospital Corporation of America (H). TMCA receives particular commendation for the following: the TMCA Colleagues program, featuring facilitated monthly meetings of physicians designed to promote communication and collegiality; evidence of a pervasive, trust-based institutional culture derived from collaborative executive and physician leadership; the ICARE program of values-based physician recognition, an organized system of physician appreciation and commitment to timely responses to concerns; and combined executive and physician leadership in business and clinical planning and execution, with evidence of enviable achievement in core quality, safety, risk, and patient experience measures.
The Avera Health system has over 16,000 employees and physicians, serving more than 330 locations and 100 communities in a five-state region. Avera is headquartered in Sioux Falls, SD, and carries on the health care legacy of the Benedictine and Presentation Sisters. Avera’s commitment to physician well-being is evidenced by the following: the innovative LIGHT (Live, Improve, Grow, Heal, Treat) program, designed to prevent burnout, promote work-life balance, and optimize workflow, led by a collaborative physician-administrative committee and including education, coaching, and counseling components; Avera’s Physician Leadership Academy, now in its fourth year of operation, accommodating 15 physicians per year and designed to prepare physicians for dyad leadership roles in the organization, teaming executive and physician leaders in the management of major service lines; Avera has the world’s most extensive telemedicine network, providing rapid and reliable clinical consultation for physicians working in remote areas; and Avera Medical Group (AMG) deploys a robust, two-day onboarding program for new doctors, with AMG’s enviable 4-5 percent annual physician turnover rate reflecting high physician engagement.
Florida Hospital (FH) is a 2,400-bed, eight-facility, tertiary care hospital located in Orlando, Florida, and operated by Adventist Health System (AHS). Florida Hospital’s formal commitment to physician well-being originated in 2001. Highlights include: Physician Support Services employs a full-time director who provides professional coaching/counseling, continuing medical education, and focused retreats for education, renewal, and relationship building; organized efforts to build collegiality (e.g., Finding Meaning in Medicine©), promote compassion and teamwork (e.g., Schwartz Center Rounds®), and address spiritual issues (medical staff Department of Healthcare & Spirituality); a Physician Leadership Development program accommodating 35 physicians per class in a 40-hour curriculum over eight months; and the Orlando Physician Advisory Council, including 55-60 elected physician leaders and institute leaders, contributing to organizational strategy development. Physician engagement surveys document consistent improvement over the past several years.
Loma Linda University Health (LLUH) is an academic medical center operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, providing tertiary care services to Southern California’s “Inland Empire” through its medical school (700 students), residency programs (800 residents), and 900 physician faculty. Notable initiatives include: the Physician Vitality Program, which employs a full-time director who provides professional coaching, counseling, and related support services; educational and relationship-building initiatives; and social research on physician burnout and well-being; LLUH involves physicians in a remarkable program of domestic and international service initiatives, including the Global Health Initiative, Street Medicine Outreach, and Social Action Corps (SAC); Women in Medicine provides social and support activities for women physicians; the LLUH biomedical and organizational Ethics program provides graduate-level training and consultative services; and the Center for Spiritual Life & Wholeness sponsors a variety of programs designed to sustain the mission and promote the culture of the organization.
Adventist Health System President/CEO Don Jernigan received the Coalition for Physician Well-Being’s inaugural Friend of Medicus Integra© Award at the organization’s sixth annual meeting in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. The Medicus Integra Award© was conceived and developed based on the belief that physician resilience and well-being not only benefit physicians but are also conducive to a healthy organizational culture and essential to delivering quality patient care. The Coalition for Physician Well-Being commended Jernigan’s advocacy for measures to combat physician burnout, as well as his persistent and innovative efforts to help physicians achieve personal satisfaction and professional fulfillment in their lives. Adventist Health System is a founding member of the Coalition for Physician Well-Being.