Physician Wellbeing - American Medical Women's Association

Strengthening the Wellness Journey in Medicine

AMWA fosters a supportive community where women physicians can connect, share strategies, and strengthen their mental well-being. Through initiatives such as Humans Before Heroes and efforts to raise awareness of suicide prevention, AMWA champions mental health and empowers women physicians to thrive, find purpose, and sustain resilience throughout their careers.

Physician Well-being Working Group

The Physician Well-being Working Group hosts discussions that explore key themes aimed at elevating physician wellness. Past topics have included time-management strategies, improving workplace workflow, and integrating self-care into daily routines. Current projects include the Physician Wellness Roundtable Report and a Physician Wellness Toolkit for early, mld- and late career women physicians.

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Humans Before Heroes—Reframing Mental Health Licensure Questions

AMWA launched Humans Before Heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic in conjunction with the 3rd National Physician Suicide Awareness Day. While the pandemic elevated physicians as heroes, it also exposed the profound emotional toll of their work. AMWA advocates for removing barriers to mental health care so that seeking support is normalized and free from fear of professional repercussions. Our members have helped drive change in reframing mental health licensure questions, and we support both the Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation’s efforts and the Federation of State Medical Boards’ recommendations to ensure that licensing policies safeguard physicians’ right to seek care. Humans Before Heroes reminds us that self-care is the foundation for sustaining our ability to care for others.

AMWA advocated for the passage of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act. The Act had bipartisan support in both the House and Senate and was endorsed across the health care industry. It was signed into law by President Biden on March 18, 2022. AMWA continues to advocate for reauthorization of this vital legislation.

The Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Law:

Promotes mental and behavioral health among those working on the frontlines of the pandemic.
Supports suicide and burnout prevention training in health professional training programs
Increases awareness and education about suicide and mental health concerns among health care professionals.