Well-being is a broad term that can be defined as a state characterized by health, happiness, and prosperity. With the vision of a healthy, flourishing, and fulfilled UMMC community, a culture of wellness, efficiency of practice and personal resilience form the framework through which our Office works to promote a culture of well-being at UMMC. This includes a work environment that values and promotes health and well-being for all team members through workplace health programs, policies, benefits, and environmental supports; processes and practices that promote positive employee and learner experiences; and supporting individual skills, behaviors, and attitudes that contribute to physical, emotional, and professional well-being, including burnout prevention.
Well-being is born out of connectedness which can be difficult to build and maintain in a large organization. However, in an organization whose mission is to provide quality care to our patients, connectedness is paramount to this endeavor. Connectedness provides a personal sense of safety, builds highly functioning teams, and creates a meaningful relationship with patients so the loop is closed and everyone experiences well-being from connection.
Social connectedness is a key component of well-being. An organizational culture that is engaging and supportive helps provide a sense of meaning and purpose in one’s work, and creates a venue where personal and professional growth are fostered. For these reasons, the Office has a strategic commitment to working with partners across the Medical Center to ensure that our organizational culture promotes connectedness and communicates positive regard for all members of our community.