Central Ohio Primary Care has earned bronze-level recognition in 2025 from the American Medical Association (AMA) as a Joy in Medicine® organization.The prestigious recognition from the country’s leading physician’s association honors health systems, hospitals, and medical groups that prioritize proven methods to reduce burnout and enhance the professional fulfillment of doctors that comes from patient care. Organizations that meet the rigorous criteria of the Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program are leaders in the national effort to transform health care work systems and address the root causes of burnout among care teams.
“When we think about reducing clinician burnout and supporting a sustainable healthcare workforce, emphasis has historically been placed on things an individual can do to become more resilient,” said Stephanie Costa, MD, COPC Physician Well-being and Leadership Coach. “If we want to create meaningful impact for people working in healthcare, we need to identify and reduce the systemic and organizational causes of burnout. AMA’s Joy in Medicine Program provides a rigorous structure to do just that.”
L-R: Stephanie Costa, MD, Jennifer Piela, Mary-Lynn Niland, MD
Burnout among U.S. physicians peaked at 62.8% in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to research. But thanks to strides made to address burnout at the system level, the national physician burnout rate ebbed to 45.2% in 2023. Despite improvements, physician burnout levels remain much higher than other U.S. workers. Continued efforts are essential to ensure doctors receive the support they need to thrive and achieve national health goals.
“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, MD. “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.”
“It is incredibly rewarding to see the work we’ve done in physician well-being recognized on a national stage,” said Jen Piela, COPC Physician Well-being Manager. “What began as local initiatives to support our clinicians is now serving as a model for healthcare systems across the country. This award affirms that our collective efforts are making a real impact, not only within Central Ohio Primary Care but in shaping a broader culture of well-being in medicine.”
Since its inception in 2019, the AMA Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program has recognized more than 200 organizations across the country. Recognition levels are valid for two years. This year, a total of 109 health organizations nationwide earned recognition with documented efforts to reduce system-level drivers of work-related burnout and demonstrated competencies in commitment, assessment, leadership, efficiency of practice environment, teamwork, and support. Organizations that earned 2025-2026 recognition join a strong group of currently recognized organizations from the 2024-2025 program, bringing the currently recognized cohort to 164 recognized organizations.
Learn more about the AMA Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program at ama-assn.org/joyinmedicine.