Wellness statement of commitment

The Washington University School of Medicine/Barnes-Jewish Hospital/St. Louis Children’s Hospital GME Consortium is an organization deeply committed to developing an educational environment that is supportive of the well-being of house staff and faculty. The Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery in the Department of Surgery at Washington University echoes the commitment.  We recognize the primary importance of having a clinical learning environment that reinforces respect for patients and providers and holds all physicians and staff mutually accountable for their personal well-being and that of other members of the healthcare team.

At a divisional and programmatic level we are committing resources to reduce provider burnout and enhance resilience of our house staff as they learn the challenging process of caring for patients and balancing societal needs. We encourage house staff to actively engage in community efforts to bridge the differences across our diverse community. As providers they must learn to identify how social determinants of health impact patient outcomes, and to seek opportunities to ameliorate health disparities both locally and globally. We provide programs to support house staff as they meet the physical and emotional challenges of healthcare providers in our world.

As a nationally and internationally recognized center of clinical and research expertise, and the primary safety net hospital for the greater St. Louis area we will commit our resources for training exemplary clinicians. Our graduates will have the skills to render culturally sensitive care to all patients while maintaining their own joy of learning and personal health.

Wellness resources

  • Move by BJC (Fitness Center)
  • WU Care dedicated to providing high-quality primary care to support health of trainees.
  • BJC Health Care online scheduling for next availabe BJC Medical Group Primary Care providers.
  • Child care on campus
  • Physician accepting new primary care patients as of Jan. 2020 (PCP pdf list)
  • Professional and personal development services
  • Resources for physician wellness at the ACGME (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education)
  • Washington University Medical Center noon-time aerobics class (pdf)
  • Washington University Medical Center noon-time aerobics class on Facebook
  • Wellness Connection, a Washington University Office of Human Resources initiative
  • MyWay to Health (part of the Wellness Connection, this is an on-site employee wellness program developed by leading experts in health and wellness at WashU)
  • Washington University UHC Nurse Advocate, Teresa A Fisher, RN, BSN, CCP
    • Office location: Center for Advanced Medicine, 2nd Floor
    • Teresa is available to meet with you in person, by phone or email to discuss lifestyle behaviors you want to improve – such as, weight loss, a healthy diet or fitness. In addition, she can also help you with prevention education and disease management support with conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. If you are in need of a physician or specialist, Teresa can assist you in connecting with one as well.
  • Department of Surgery wellness resource listing
  • WUMCHA (Washington University Medical Center House staff Auxiliary)