Novant Health has earned bronze level recognition from the American Medical Association (AMA) as a Joy in Medicine health organization. The prestigious distinction is granted to organizations across the country that meet the rigorous criteria of the Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program and are national leaders in prioritizing proven efforts to enhance the well-being and professional fulfillment of physicians and advanced practice providers (APP). Novant Health is one of three health systems recognized in North Carolina.

“This recognition from the AMA affirms our work to prioritize our physicians’ and APP’s well-being so they can thrive both personally and professionally,” said Dr. Navin Bhojwani, senior vice president, Novant Health Medical Group Clinical Operations. “Our physicians and APPs are essential to the remarkable care we provide our patients. Ensuring they have a voice at every level of the organization – from our clinics to the C-suite – is crucial. I’m proud that our teams have been proactive in developing programs and initiatives that reduce burnout and ultimately ensure our clinicians can have a fulfilling career while providing the best possible care for their patients.”

After peaking during the COVID-19 pandemic, the physician burnout rate has dipped under 50% for the first time in four years, according to AMA survey data.

“Physicians are humans caring for other human beings, strained by factors beyond their control and challenged by the enormous expectations placed on them to continuously deliver high quality, compassionate care. There is no doubt change is needed, but what needs to change is not the doctors,” said AMA President Bruce A. Scott, M.D. “A national movement is gaining momentum to transform health care work systems and fix the root causes of physician burnout. Health organizations that have earned the AMA’s Joy in Medicine recognition are leading this movement with bold visions for redesigned clinical systems to foster professional well-being and support quality care.”

Novant Health has had programs in place to support physicians and APPs and reduce burnout for more than a decade, including:

  • The Novant Health Leadership Development Program, which has been in place since 2013, has been completed by thousands of Novant Health physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses and leaders. The program focuses on wellness, resiliency and leadership, and is supplemented with a mentoring program and teams that focus on addressing obstacles to experiencing joy and fulfillment practicing medicine.
  • A dedicated initiative to reduce the administrative burden associated with providing care. This program is built around direct feedback from physicians and advanced practice providers and has led to a reduction in nearly 75 million clicks in the electronic health record, saving 105,000 hours (or about 12 years) of work.
  • Residency opportunities to build the physician pipeline and train the next generation of providers, including family medicine, general surgery, internal medicine and OB-GYN. Novant Health also has two UNC School of Medicine Branch campuses in Charlotte and in Wilmington where third- and fourth-year medical students can complete their rotations, as well as a partnership with Cambell University’s School of Osteopathic Medicine for medical school rotations. Novant Health’s first APP pipeline is currently in development to strengthen the pipeline for advanced practitioners as well.

Since its inception in 2019, the AMA Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program has recognized more than 100 organizations across the country. In 2024, a total of 62 health systems nationwide earned recognition with documented efforts to reduce system-level drivers of work-related burnout and demonstrated competencies in commitment, assessment, leadership, efficiency of practice environment, teamwork and support. These 2024 organizations join a strong cohort of currently recognized organizations from the 2023 program. [source]