Supporting the well-being of the people who care for patients is a moral imperative. It is foundational to the health of our workforce and the quality and compassion of the care we deliver.

There are moments when we feel compelled to pause, look at the world around us, and ask whether the path humanity is walking is leading us in the right direction. For me, that question has surfaced because we are witnessing the toll that conflict is taking on families, communities, and nations.

Well-being work requires authentic leadership and deep personal commitment. It begins with self-leadership—the recognition that those who seek to support others must first cultivate their own well-being.

Faith is not a cure for mental health problems, but it can be a trusted companion. That distinction matters! Too often, people of faith feel pressure to “pray their way” out of anxiety, depression, or grief, as if struggling were a sign of spiritual failure. Mental health challenges are not moral shortcomings! They are human experiences in which faith – sincerely and deeply practiced – can be a source of grounding, courage, and connection rather than an expectation of instant

Well-being isn’t one effort. It isn’t one event or one pilot, it is about engaging with the team, learning what those closest to the problems think about potential solutions and bringing that kindness and compassion of healing not just to our patients but to the colleagues we work alongside every day.

What an astonishing gift we have been given! The poet, Mary Oliver, calls it “…one wild and precious life”. Our endlessly creative and loving God has entrusted us with this gift, but what we plan to do with it has many possible answers. Too often, we drift through our days on autopilot, moving from task to task barely noticing the world around us. We forget to look up, be intentional, take deep breaths, or marvel at the beauty of creation.

"This initiative demonstrated how many people in our organization are willing to go above and beyond to help ensure the well-being of our clinicians. Just like quality and safety, well-being impacts everything-bottom line, retention, patient satisfaction, and risk."

Rev. Jesse Jackson died on February 17th, 2026. His unforgettable “I Am Somebody” chant on Sesame Street in 1972 has been widely shown since his passing. He invited children to speak words that many adults struggle to believe: “I may be poor, but I am somebody. I may be young, but I am somebody. I may be small, but I am somebody. I may make a mistake, but I am somebody. I must be respected, protected, never rejected. I am God’s child. I am somebody!”

"...wellness is the only thing that stops the snowball effect from becoming an avalanche. I hope to help create a community where every provider, regardless of their career stage, has a place to turn for resources that actually work in the real world. Let’s stop treating well-being like a luxury and start treating it like the lifeline it is. Wellness is not an accessory to our clinical work; is a necessary part of the foundation of it."

Slowing down can be a spiritual act. It requires us to trust that life might get better if we pause long enough to breathe. It invites us to believe that our worth is not measured by our pace. It reminds us that the sacred often reveals itself only when we are still enough to notice and listen. When we slow down, conversations unfold; meals refresh; walks become intentional rather than mechanical. Even problems can become growth opportunities.