Program Description:  

The Healthcare Well-Being Summit is a one-day program designed to equip healthcare leaders with the tools and strategies to address burnout, foster resilience, and cultivate a culture of well-being within their organizations. Through a blend of presentation formats and distinct tracks, tailored to different groups and initiatives, participants will gain actionable insights from experts, engage in interactive discussions, and develop personalized plans to create a healthier and more sustainable healthcare workforce. 

AGENDA

9:00 – 9:10 a.m.: Welcome! MMS and MHA Leadership

• Steven Defossez, MD, Vice President, Clinical Integration, Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association
• Maureen Daniels, Director, Wellness & Community Health, Berkshire Health Systems
• Olivia Liao, MD, President, Massachusetts Medical Society; Ophthalmologist, Lexington Eye Associates; Founder & Co-Owner, Surgisite Boston

9:10 – 10:00 a.m.: Morning Keynote | Healthcare Professional Well-being:  The “How”

This presentation will feature practical approaches to help healthcare organizations support the well-being of their healthcare professionals

• Chantal Brazeau, MD, Professor of Family Medicine and Psychiatry, Assistant Dean for Faculty Vitality, New Jersey Medical School; Assistant Dean for Faculty Vitality, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; Chief Wellness Officer, Rutgers Health

10:00 – 10:45 a.m.: Leveraging Survey Insights to Enhance Clinician Occupational Well-Being and Retention

Moderator: Steve Defossez, MD, Vice President, MHA Clinical Integration, Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association

Panelists:

• William Creevy, MD, President and CEO, Boston University Medical Group; Associate Dean of Faculty Practice & Assistant Professor at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
• Heather Edwards, MD, Division Chief, Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Boston Medical Center; Associate Professor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Chair, Gender Equity, Office of Equity, Vitality and Inclusion
• Alexis Gallardo Foreman, DNP, Assistant Professor, Pulmonary, Allergy, Sleep and Critical Care Medicine, Co-Director, Tobacco Treatment Center at Boston Medical Center, Co-Director, Chronic Respiratory Failure Clinic at Boston Medical Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
• Meghan Hassinger, MBA, Director of Project Management, Office of Equity, Vitality and Inclusion, Boston University Medical Group
• Cassandra Pierre, MD, Associate Hospital Epidemiologist, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine; Chair, Diversity & Inclusion, Office of Equity, Vitality and Inclusion

Session focus: Translating clinician survey data into actionable strategies that support occupational well-being. The discussion will explore how to interpret feedback, implement initiatives that strengthen recruitment and retention, and build the leadership commitment necessary to foster a culture where clinicians feel heard, valued, and supported.

10:45 – 11 a.m.: BREAK

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Engaging the Next Generation: Connecting Tradition with Change

Moderator: Kim Stevenson, Director, Workforce and Clinical Affairs, Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association

Panelists:

• Steven Ciesielski, PsyD, Assistant Dean for Student Success, School of Nursing, MGH Institute of Health Professions
• Jennifer Jolivert, MD, Resident, Brigham & Women’s Hospital; Member, MMS Committee on Mental Health and Substance Use; Chair, Social and Wellness Committee; DEI Committee Leader, BWH Psychiatry Residency Program
• James Lederer, MD, Chief Medical and Chief Quality Officer, Berkshire Health Systems
• Karen Uttaro, RN, Senior Director, Professional Practice, Quality and Regulatory, UMass Memorial Medical Center

This panel brings together voices from across the healthcare landscape to explore how we can meaningfully engage the next generation of professionals. As the field evolves, we face the challenge—and opportunity—of honoring long-standing values while embracing innovation and change. Our discussion will focus on bridging generational perspectives, fostering inclusive leadership, and creating environments where tradition and transformation work hand in hand to shape the future of care.

12:00 – 12:30 p.m.: LUNCH

12:30 –1:20 p.m.: Breakout Session #1

Track 1: Retention Through Resiliency

• Jim Helling, International Center for Psychological Trauma & Resilience
• Cynthia Peterson, RN, Nurse Scientist and Program Manager for Research & Evidence-Based Practice, University of Vermont Health Network
• Ashlee Brigham, RN, Interim Assistant Resource Nurse Manager, University of Vermont Medical Center
• Heidi Pecott-Grimm, RN, Nurse Professional Development Practitioner, University of Vermont Medical Group

Changing Minds, Changing Lives (CMCL) provides an empirically validated strategic solution to boost resilience, restore morale and cultivate a culture of well-being in healthcare organizations. This experiential workshop will introduce participants to the strengths-based learning activities and the engaging group process that combine to buffer stress, boost positivity and reinforce connectedness. We will review data supporting the efficacy of this engaging program and how CMCL revitalizes the sense of calling and purpose that animates healthcare workers. A team of frontline nurses who have pioneered implementation of CMCL in a large university hospital that anchors a regional healthcare system will share their experience with this transformational intervention.

Track 2: Professional Coaching

• Andrea Ruse, Program Manager, UMass Memorial Health, Clinician Experience Office
• Lynn Gerrits, Caregiver Wellbeing Specialist, UMass Memorial Health
• Sylvia Perry, DNP, MGH APP Wellness Committee; MGH Avon Breast Center & Primary Care

This workshop is dedicated to exploring the role of professional coaching in healthcare—how it can empower individuals, strengthen teams, and drive meaningful organizational change. Through guided discussion and practical tools, we’ll examine how coaching supports leadership development, resilience, and improved communication across clinical and administrative settings.

Track 3: Peer Support: Why and How

• Stephen Pratt, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
• Linda Kenney, Director, Peer Support Programs, Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety

This discussion focuses on the critical role of peer support in hospital settings—why it matters and how it can be effectively implemented. As healthcare professionals face increasing demands and emotional strain, peer support offers a powerful way to foster connection, resilience, and well-being. We’ll explore proven models, practical strategies, and real-world examples that show how peer support can strengthen teams, improve retention, and create a culture of care within our hospitals.

1:20 – 1:30 p.m.: BREAK

1:30 – 2:20 p.m.: Breakout Session #2

Track 1: Retention Through Resiliency [repeat]

• Jim Helling, International Center for Psychological Trauma & Resilience
• Cynthia Peterson, RN, Nurse Scientist and Program Manager for Research & Evidence-Based Practice, University of Vermont Health Network
• Ashlee Brigham, RN, Interim Assistant Resource Nurse Manager, University of Vermont Medical Center
• Heidi Pecott-Grimm, RN, Nurse Professional Development Practitioner, UVM Medical Group

Track 2: Professional Coaching [repeat]

• Lynn Gerrits, Caregiver Wellbeing Specialist, UMass Memorial Health
• Andrea Ruse, Program Manager, UMass Memorial Health, Clinician Experience Office
• Sylvia Perry, DNP, Nurse Practitioner, MGH APP Wellness Committee; MGH Avon Breast Center & Primary Care

Track 3: Using AI In Care Delivery

• Rebecca Mishuris, MD, Chief Medical Information Officer & Vice President , Mass General Brigham
• Amanda J. Centi, Ph.D., Senior Manager, Emerging Technologies, Mass General Brigham

This workshop explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the healthcare landscape by streamlining operations, enhancing decision-making, and improving patient outcomes. We’ll dive into practical applications of AI—from automating routine tasks to optimizing workflows—and discuss how healthcare teams can leverage these tools to reduce burnout, boost productivity, and deliver more efficient care. Whether you’re in clinical practice, administration, or innovation, this session offers actionable insights to help you harness AI for meaningful impact.

2:30 – 2:45 p.m.: Key Insights and Actionable Take-Aways from Breakout Sessions

2:45– 3:20 p.m.: Keynote: Where Do We Go From Here? A Call to Action! Challenging Healthcare Leaders and Decision Makers to Create a More Supportive and Sustainable Environment for Employee Well-Being

• Kirsten Meisinger, MD, Center for Primary Care, Harvard Medical School

3:30 p.m.: Next Steps & Closing

• Yael Miller, Executive Director, Practice Solutions and Strategic Planning, Massachusetts Medical Society
• Kim Stevenson, Director, Workforce and Clinical Affairs, Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association