Get to know the interesting and diverse individuals whose dedication, commitment, hard work and energy keep the AMA running. Read about their experiences, get a sense of our culture and get a glimpse of your potential future colleagues, the diverse individuals that make up our AMA.
August 2026 feature
Heather Farley, MD, MHCDS—Group Vice President, Professional Satisfaction and Practice Sustainability
Q: How would you describe your role at the AMA? What is a “Day in the Life”?
A: Although I’m no longer caring for patients at the bedside, my role at the AMA still feels a lot like being an emergency physician. No two days are alike. Every day brings new challenges, new opportunities and the chance to solve meaningful problems alongside incredibly talented people.
As Group Vice President of Professional Satisfaction and Practice Sustainability, I have the privilege of leading a team that I deeply respect, trust, and genuinely enjoy working with. Together, we’re focused on something much bigger than ourselves—advancing physician well-being and helping create a healthcare system where physicians and the teams they lead can thrive while delivering the best possible care for patients.
A typical day might include collaborating with health system leaders, researchers, physicians, policymakers, and industry partners from across the country—and sometimes around the world. There are certainly plenty of meetings and travel, but what makes the work so energizing is that every conversation has the potential to move the field forward. It's intellectually stimulating, challenging, and deeply meaningful.
The well-being of the healthcare workforce is one of the defining challenges facing healthcare today, and I feel incredibly fortunate to contribute to the national conversation and help shape practical solutions that can make a real difference. The work is hard, but it matters. That sense of purpose is what makes every day rewarding.
Q: What is something at the AMA that helps you to thrive?
A: I'm going to get a little nerdy here.
One of the things I've been learning more about is the science of human motivation, particularly Self-Determination Theory, which suggests that people thrive when three basic needs are met: autonomy (having the freedom to make meaningful decisions), competence (having opportunities to learn and grow) and relatedness (feeling connected to others and part of something bigger).
When I think about my experience at the AMA, those three elements really resonate. I've been given tremendous autonomy to think big and help shape our strategy. Every day gives me opportunities to learn, grow, and tackle complex challenges alongside exceptionally talented colleagues. And perhaps most importantly, I feel a genuine sense of connection—to my team, to leaders across the organization, and to our mission.
I feel incredibly fortunate to work in an environment that fosters those qualities. As someone who spends much of my time helping healthcare organizations create the conditions for physicians and care teams to thrive, it's especially meaningful to experience those same conditions myself at the AMA.
Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
A: I'd choose Hermione Granger's Time-Turner. Not because I want to change anything—I genuinely love the life and career I've built—but because I am deeply curious. There are so many places I'd love to explore, skills I'd love to develop, and careers I'd love to experience. If I could live seven different versions of my life, gather something from each one and then come back to the life I have now with all of those experiences, I'd do it in a second.
