Physicians often choose medicine because they feel called to serve and heal. The ability to deliver care, connect with patients, and truly make a difference is among the biggest satisfiers in this profession. But even as the work provides fulfillment, burnout still hovers at around 42% of physicians, according to recent data from the American Medical Association.
While those numbers are improving every year, physician burnout remains a point of concern for healthcare systems. And SSM Health has taken proactive measures to ensure we’re building a sustainable, healthy, and rewarding practice culture that brings joy back to the practice of medicine.
At SSM Health, physician wellness isn’t just a focus — it’s a priority.
Physicians today are balancing patient care, growing administrative work, and reduced autonomy. SSM Health understands that physicians need more than just resources. They need an environment that nurtures their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
SSM Health’s commitment to physician wellness is rooted in collaboration.
When physicians feel valued and engaged, they’re better equipped to deliver compassionate, high-quality care and enjoy a fulfilling, sustainable career. That’s why SSM Health partners directly with physicians to support recruitment, development, and retention, fostering a collaborative environment where they can thrive. Physicians also hold leadership roles, ensuring their voices are heard in shaping the direction of healthcare delivery within our system.
At SSM Health, we believe that caring for our physicians is essential to delivering the highest quality of care to our patients. As Shephali Wulff, DO, an internal medicine and infectious disease physician at SSM Health Medical Group in St. Louis, Missouri, explains, “I think there is a strong culture of wellness. We are not just encouraged to take time off, but people ask about it.” She recalls how her own practice leader would prompt her to use her available time. “My leader would say to me, ‘When are you taking time off this summer to be with your family?’” This focus on respectful consideration and collaboration reflects our culture. We infuse compassion and concern into all our interactions with peers and with patients.
At SSM Health, our culture of care prioritizes mind, body, and spirit — not just for patients but for physicians too.
Our wellness programs include:
- Mental health support to combat burnout and encourage mindfulness
- Flexible scheduling and time-off policies to promote work-life balance
- Professional development resources that enable career growth without sacrificing well-being
- Schwartz Rounds and peer support networks that foster community and connection among clinicians
These resources make a real difference in day-to-day practice. As Tyler Wishau, DPM, a foot and ankle surgeon at SSM Health Medical Group in Mount Vernon, Illinois, explains, “I’m able to maintain a work-life balance and avoid physician burnout largely through the resources that SSM Health has provided.”
SSM Health believes that innovation and wellness go hand in hand.
Through our physician-led initiatives, we address the most pressing challenges clinicians face. By investing in technologies that streamline workflows and reduce administrative burdens, we allow physicians to focus on what matters most: patient care.
One example is Project One. Launched in 2024, this multiyear effort is standardizing electronic health records across our system, simplifying workflows for care teams, and building a strong foundation for emerging technologies — including artificial intelligence — that enhance clinical decision-making and patient care.
Physicians lead this work, along with many practice-specific initiatives, turning their ideas for improvement into real change. As Amy Schovanec, DO, an OB/GYN at SSM Health Medical Group in Shawnee, Oklahoma, notes, “This is a place where your voice truly does matter. You feel supported in your growth, trusted in your judgment, and part of something that is actively trying to move care forward for the community we serve.”
We invite those who are passionate about delivering transformative care to join us on this journey. Together, we can shape the future of medicine and create a healthcare environment that benefits everyone.
If you’re looking to elevate your career and professional well-being, we invite you see what SSM Health has to offer. Explore opportunities across Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin at JoinSSMHealth.com.
