Medical school has always been demanding, but today's learners face new pressures—from increasing uncertainty and academic intensity to stigma around asking for help. In this episode, Elizabeth Harry, M.D., welcomes Seetha Monrad, M.D., Associate Dean for Medical Student Education, and Erin McKean, M.D., Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, to discuss how Michigan Medicine is embedding well-being into medical education through thoughtful assessment, expanded mental health resources and a culture that helps students succeed without lowering expectations.

Episode Transcript

Learn more about how the Office of Well-Being aids it team members and brings a culture of belonging, resilience and support. Well-Being at Michigan Medicine is a part of the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network, and is produced by the Michigan Medicine Department of Communication.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to create a culture where people can truly thrive? In this episode, Dr. Elizabeth Harry welcomes Dr. Robert Ernst, Chief Health Officer and Associate Vice President for Health and Wellness at the University of Michigan, about building well-being into systems, policies and everyday experiences. They explore purpose-driven leadership, belonging, mental health and why helping people feel they matter can strengthen entire communities.

Guest:

Robert Ernst, M.D., FACP

Episode Transcript

Learn more about how the Office of Well-Being aids it team members and brings a culture of belonging, resilience and support. Well-Being at Michigan Medicine is a part of the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network, and is produced by the Michigan Medicine Department of Communication.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special Nurses Week episode, Chief Well-Being Officer Elizabeth Harry, M.D., chats with nurse leaders Denise Ervin, D.N.P., R.N., NC-BC, and Tonie Owens, M.S.N., R.N., about resilience, teamwork and the evolving future of nursing. They share personal stories, “sacred moments” in care and practical ways teams support well-being on the front lines. The conversation highlights both the challenges nurses face and the culture of connection that helps them thrive.

Episode Transcript

Guests:

• Denise Ervin, D.N.P., R.N., NC-BC
• Tonie Owens, M.S.N., R.N.

Learn more about how the Office of Well-Being aids it team members and brings a culture of belonging, resilience and support. Well-Being at Michigan Medicine is a part of the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network, and is produced by the Michigan Medicine Department of Communication.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special live episode, Dr. Elizabeth Harry hosts Dr. Shigehiro Oishi of the University of Chicago for a compelling, audience-engaged conversation recorded at U-M’s Rackham Building.

Drawing on cutting-edge research, Oishi challenges conventional notions of happiness, examining the tension between achievement and meaning. With practical insights for high performers, this energizing discussion invites listeners to rethink success and intentionally cultivate a more expansive, sustainable path to well-being.

Also included is a special live question & answer session with audience members.

Episode Transcript

Guest:

Shigehiro Oishi, Ph.D., M.Ed.

Learn more about how the Office of Well-Being aids it team members and brings a culture of belonging, resilience and support. Well-Being at Michigan Medicine is a part of the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network, and is produced by the Michigan Medicine Department of Communication.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Credentialing plays a critical role in patient safety — but it can also affect whether clinicians feel safe seeking mental health care. In this episode, leaders from Michigan Medicine and the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation discuss evolving credentialing practices, reducing stigma and supporting clinician well-being while protecting patients. The conversation highlights how thoughtful policy changes can help create a healthier, more compassionate health care system.

Learn more:

Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation

Episode Transcript

Learn more about how the Office of Well-Being aids it team members and brings a culture of belonging, resilience and support. Well-Being at Michigan Medicine is a part of the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network, and is produced by the Michigan Medicine Department of Communication.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do quality improvement and clinician well-being intersect? Michigan Medicine’s Dr. Michael Englesbe, a transplant surgeon, joins Dr. Elizabeth Harry to discuss scaling change from the bedside, reducing burnout by removing unnecessary work, and lessons from Michigan’s opioid prescribing success.

A candid conversation on leadership, standardization, humility and why empowering frontline teams is essential to better care and a healthier workforce.

Episode Transcript

Learn more about how the Office of Well-Being aids it team members and brings a culture of belonging, resilience and support. Well-Being at Michigan Medicine is a part of the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network, and is produced by the Michigan Medicine Department of Communication.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Elizabeth Harry welcomes guests Drs. Adrienne Mann and Tyra Fainstad, co-founders of Better Together, an evidence-based group coaching program transforming physician well-being.

They share their personal journeys from burnout to coaching, explain how metacognitive group coaching builds community and resilience, and present compelling data showing significant reductions in burnout, imposter syndrome, and moral injury.

The episode explores how scalable, confidential coaching can reshape medical culture and restore meaning in medicine.

• Learn more about Better Together Physician Coaching here

Episode Transcript

Learn more about how the Office of Well-Being aids it team members and brings a culture of belonging, resilience and support. Well-Being at Michigan Medicine is a part of the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network, and is produced by the Michigan Medicine Department of Communication.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

*Content warning: While well-being and purpose is the main topic, the following conversation does contain material related to the loss of a child and mental health that some might find distressing. Listener discretion is advised.

Dr. Vic Strecher of U-M Public Health joins host Dr. Elizabeth Harry to explore why purpose is a powerful driver of well-being, resilience and professional fulfillment. Strecher shares personal reflections, groundbreaking research and practical strategies—including the SPACE framework (sleep, presence, activity, creativity and eating)—to help clinicians and organizations reconnect with their “why.” From preventing burnout to managing energy and attention, this conversation highlights how aligning personal and organizational purpose can transform health care work and support lasting well-being.

Episode Transcript

Learn more about how the Office of Well-Being aids it team members and brings a culture of belonging, resilience and support. Well-Being at Michigan Medicine is a part of the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network, and is produced by the Michigan Medicine Department of Communication.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special Well-Being at Michigan Medicine podcast with Dr. Elizabeth Harry, leaders across emotional support, clinical efficiency and faculty development reflect on Michigan Medicine’s achievement of gold status in the AMA’s Joy in Medicine Award. Drs. Jodie Eckleberry-Hunt, Whitney Begeman, Greta Branford, and George Mashour share how programs like COMPASS peer support, confidential counseling, AI-driven documentation tools and robust leadership development strengthen well-being across the institution. Their insights highlight systemwide commitment, innovation and continued investment in reducing burnout, fostering resilience and empowering faculty and clinicians to thrive.

Episode Transcript

Learn more about how the Office of Well-Being aids it team members and brings a culture of belonging, resilience and support. Well-Being at Michigan Medicine is a part of the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network, and is produced by the Michigan Medicine Department of Communication.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode celebrating Healthcare Security and Safety Week 2025, host Dr. Elizabeth Harry talks with Brian Uridge, Director of Safety and Security at Michigan Medicine. Uridge shares his journey from community policing to health care security and explains how relationship-based safety practices strengthen well-being across the organization.

From de-escalation training to canine therapy and mobile duress technology, Uridge reveals how his team blends compassion, trust and innovation to make Michigan Medicine safer for all. This inspiring conversation highlights how connection and presence are just as vital to security as any piece of equipment.

Episode Transcript

Learn more about how the Office of Well-Being aids it team members and brings a culture of belonging, resilience and support. Well-Being at Michigan Medicine is a part of the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network, and is produced by the Michigan Medicine Department of Communication.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.