Across academic medicine, rising rates of physician burnout—driven by increasing clinical demands, administrative burden, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic—have sharpened the focus on faculty and staff wellbeing. Nationally, medical schools and health systems are investing more intentionally in programs and structures that support not only professional fulfillment, but also the personal wellbeing of clinicians, researchers, and staff. Within this broader landscape, the Department of Medicine has made wellbeing a strategic priority.

The DOM Wellbeing Committee was formed in early 2025 as part of the department’s strategic initiatives to better support its members. The Committee, co-chaired by Drs. Jane Liebschutz, Ian Barbash, and Amar Bansal, with administrative leadership from Matt Freidhoff, includes representatives from divisions and institutes across the department, spanning clinical and research faculty as well as administrative leaders, ensuring a broad and inclusive perspective.

During its early meetings, the Committee identified several preliminary goals to guide its work:

• Increasing awareness of existing wellbeing resources.The Committee began by cataloging current wellbeing resources available through UPMC and the Pitt School of Medicine. This review highlighted that many supports are already in place, including employee assistance programs, peer coaching for faculty, and peer support programs for physicians and advanced practice providers. By improving visibility and communication around these offerings, the Committee aims to enhance access and utilization among DOM members who may benefit from additional support.

• Facilitating communication and shared learning across divisions.The Committee serves as a liaison among divisions to identify challenges, share successful strategies, and promote data-informed approaches to improving wellbeing. Committee leaders have presented wellbeing data at DOM leadership meetings and distributed division-specific data to each Division Chief and Executive Administrator to support local discussion and action.

• Addressing the needs of parents and caregivers.In reviewing wellbeing data, the Committee identified a particular need for enhanced support for parents of young children. In response, Dr. Julia McNabb-Baltar (Gastroenterology) and Dr. Pooja Amarapurkar (Renal-Electrolyte) are leading a subcommittee focused on identifying actionable changes to better support DOM members before, during, and after parental leave.

The Committee looks forward to building on this early work and partnering across the department to help implement meaningful changes that foster a culture of wellbeing within DOM.