A Culture of Wellness: VAGLAHS Recognized by AMA as a Joy in Medicine® Organization

This national award recognizes health systems that implement evidence-based strategies to reduce burnout and promote professional well-being, recognizing that supporting employees ultimately enhances patient care.

"We are incredibly honored to receive the AMA’s Joy in Medicine® recognition,” said Robert Merchant, Medical Center Director at VAGLAHS. “This achievement reflects our dedication to creating a supportive, engaging, and collaborative workplace. By promoting staff well-being, we empower all our colleagues to deliver the highest quality care to Veterans and create an environment where everyone can thrive.”

According to the 2020 study, “Burnout, Depression and Suicide in Nurses/Clinicians and Learners: An Urgent Call for Action to Enhance Professional Well-being and Healthcare Safety,” by Dr. Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, “burnout contributes to increased medical errors, patient dissatisfaction, high turnover rates, and substantial financial losses.”

The study’s findings serve as a powerful reminder that caring for those who care for others is not just necessary, it’s foundational for delivering exceptional service to Veterans. Championing this vision is Dr. Christine Holland, who leads the way as VAGLAHS’ first Chief Clinical Well-being Officer (CWO). 

“We're doing more than just fighting burnout. We're building a strong support system so our colleagues can stay resilient and give their very best to the Veterans they serve,” said Holland.

CWOs are champions of culture change, working closely with teams to identify challenges, design solutions, and foster environments where staff feel safe, supported, and empowered to provide the best care possible to Veterans.

Additionally, VAGLAHS has a dedicated Employee Whole Health (EWH) Coordinator, Lindsay Levitan, who develops programs that focus on employee wellness and self-care practices, including physical activity, sleep, nutrition, burnout prevention, mindfulness, and more. 

Levitan and Holland collaborated to organize Health Workforce Well-Being Days at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center and the Los Angeles Ambulatory Care Center in March. Additional events took place at the Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center in August, with more well-being activities planned across all clinic locations.

“What’s great about these events is that they brought employees together from different services to support one another and learn new skills,” said Levitan. “Participants explored wellness practices such as biofeedback techniques and yoga stretches. We had social workers, physicians, physical therapists, and people who don’t usually interact day to day, all coming together to support their own well-being, so they can better support Veterans.”

Key Programs and Initiatives Supporting Staff Well-Being

• Fostering Psychological Safety: VAGLAHS promotes a culture of psychological safety, where staff feel empowered to speak up without fear of negative consequences. Leaders actively support this by hosting Employee Town Halls, thanking those who raise concerns, addressing issues, and encouraging feedback. Additionally, the HOPE Award recognizes supervisors who excel at fostering psychological safety in the workplace.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): The EAP program is a confidential, no-cost resource available 24/7 to employees and their eligible family members for a wide range of personal and professional challenges. It provides services such as six counseling sessions, work-life resources (e.g., child care, elder care, housing), financial and legal consultations, medical advocacy, life and wellness coaching, and more.
• Work-Life Balance: Initiatives like "Operation Exhale" encourage shorter, more efficient meetings by defaulting meeting lengths to 50 or 25 minutes, providing vital time for employees to recharge between commitments. Additionally, VHA’s National Child Care Program is committed to assisting employees in balancing work and family responsibilities through accessible, high-quality child care services.
• Awards and Recognition: In addition to the HOPE award, VAGLAHS celebrates staff excellence through the GLA+ Award for customer service, the HeRO Award for advancing High Reliability, the DAISY and BEE Awards for compassionate nursing and everyday excellence, and the I CARE Award for upholding VA core values. Monthly, VAGLAHS also holds Employee Recognition Town Halls, where staff are recognized by their supervisors and leadership.
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Services: The EEO office provides vital assistance with workplace disputes through confidential counseling and mediation, ensuring a fair and inclusive environment in compliance with federal civil rights laws. Services include sign language and language translation, and reasonable accommodations for disabilities.
• Educational Development: VA educational initiatives support medical students, residents, physicians, and health care staff by enhancing professional skills, well-being, and organizational effectiveness. Central to this effort is the Institute for Learning, Education and Development (ILEAD), which provides virtual and in-person training, resources, and experiential learning for employees at all career stages. A focus on continuous learning allows staff to grow in a professional capacity, where they can pursue their goals and continue to provide top-quality patient care.

By nurturing its dedicated staff, VAGLAHS ensures that its employees not only perform their duties but also thrive in an environment that supports their mental and physical well-being. This, in turn, guarantees that Veterans receive the exceptional and compassionate care they have earned and deserve.