Confluence Health earns Gold Recognition from AMA for physician well-being efforts

WENATCHEE — Confluence Health has been awarded gold recognition by the American Medical Association’s Joy in Medicine® program for its efforts to reduce physician burnout and support staff well-being.

The designation, announced Sept. 3, places Confluence Health/Wenatchee Valley Medical Group among only 20 organizations nationwide to earn gold-level recognition for 2025–2026. The program honors hospitals, health systems and medical groups that demonstrate systemwide approaches to improving work culture and addressing the root causes of burnout.

“At Confluence Health, a major component of our vision is to enable joy and pride in our work while we serve our community with compassion and dedication,” said Katina Maier, chief people and strategy officer. “We are honored to receive this recognition that acknowledges how important it is that we work to support our staff and providers who, in turn, do so much to support, uplift, and care for the residents of North Central Washington.”

The recognition follows Confluence Health’s recent inclusion on Forbes’ 2025 list of America’s Best Employers by State.

“We want to be known as not only a place to receive excellent care, but as the employer of choice for our region’s healthcare professionals,” said Dr. Andrew Jones, Confluence Health CEO. “We know that we can serve our patients better when we as an organization work to serve those that make that care possible. This recognition is a wonderful acknowledgement of this ongoing work by so many excellent teams working hard each day to support those that care for us all.”

Nationally, physician burnout spiked to 62.8 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 before declining to 45.2 percent in 2023, according to the AMA. Although progress has been made, burnout rates remain higher than among other U.S. workers.

“Joy in Medicine recognized 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.”

Confluence Health leaders said the recognition reflects years of initiatives aimed at improving provider well-being, including wellness advocacy, leadership training, peer support, and workflow improvements.

“Our efforts to support well-being take a wide variety of forms across the organization,” said Dr. Makrina Shanbour, director of provider experience. “Our Provider Experience Committee supports physicians and advanced-practice providers by advocating for wellness, supporting them and their families with opportunities to connect, providing ready access to coaching and counseling, mentoring new hires, supporting a robust onboarding experience, working with teams to improve workflow and technology utilization, holding listening sessions, and advocating for policy change to decrease the stigma around getting help.”

The Joy in Medicine program, launched in 2019, has recognized more than 200 health organizations across the country. Gold, silver, and bronze designations are valid for two years. This year, 109 health systems received recognition.

Confluence Health serves more than 12,000 square miles across Okanogan, Grant, Douglas and Chelan counties, making it the largest geographic healthcare system in Washington state.