UNC Health has been recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA) as one of its 2025 Joy in Medicine organizations, marking another consecutive year the health system has received this distinction. The award acknowledges UNC Health’s ongoing efforts to address physician burnout and suicide through a range of programs and policies designed to support clinician and staff well-being.
“At UNC Health, the well-being of our teammates is a prioritized goal that goes hand in hand with patient care,” said Dr. Nadia Charguia, executive medical director of Well-Being for UNC Health. “We’ve led significant innovation, working directly with UNC Health teammates to understand, advocate and develop systems to approach meaningful change that would have direct impact on them.”
UNC Health has focused on removing stigma around mental health needs among physicians and clinicians. “Robust data confirms the dark reality that doctors and other healthcare workers struggle with suicidal thoughts, we understand why it is so important to acknowledge it; otherwise, we allow it to exist in the shadows,” Charguia said.
The Wellbeing program at UNC Health works with various partners to provide resources for employees while driving changes intended to improve workplace experiences. Dr. Charguia leads a system-wide initiative called the GROSS Program (Getting Rid of Stupid Stuff), which was recently launched.
“There is not a clearer way to say it, we have stupid stuff that gets in the way of our day to day, policies that feel redundant, tasks that are repetitive and time consuming. GROSS is platform to engage our teammates and learn from their experience, we want to hear about those pebbles in their shoes as well as any suggestions they may have for not only what we can get rid of, but what things we could be better,” Charguia explains. “It’s about trying to help our teammates be able to do the job that they came each day to do, spend more time with the patients they want to see and get rid of the extraneous stuff that gets in the way.”
This year’s Joy in Medicine list includes 109 hospitals, health systems and medical groups across the nation. Each organization will retain its place on the list for two years.
“Joy in Medicine organizations are leading the gains made against the physician burnout crisis and help clinicians rediscover the deep rewards and joy that comes from helping patients,” said AMA President Bobby Mukkamala, M.D. “The AMA distinction honors each organization’s commitment to not only the health and well-being of the care team, but also to patients. Quality care ultimately originates from a positive and purposeful work culture where health care professionals can flourish both mentally and physically.”
UNC Health operates as an entity affiliated with the University of North Carolina system, including 20 hospitals and over 900 clinics alongside clinical patient care programs connected with the UNC School of Medicine.
