Physician Health

AMA Joy in Medicine™ Health System Recognition Program

UPDATED . 4 MIN READ

Representing the AMA's steadfast commitment to advancing the science of physician burnout, the Joy in Medicine™ Health System Recognition Program empowers health systems to reduce burnout and build well-being so that physicians and their patients can thrive.

  • Provide guidelines (PDF) for health system leaders interested in implementing programs and policies that actively support well-being.
  • Unite the health care community in building a culture committed to increasing joy in medicine for the profession nationwide.
  • Build awareness of solutions that promote joy in medicine and spur investment within health systems to reduce physician burnout.

Joy in Medicine Intent to Apply

All organizations interested in applying to the Joy in Medicine™ Health System Recognition Program must first submit an Intent to Apply form. Start the process today!

The application cycle for the 2025 Joy in Medicine program will open on Jan. 10 and close March 7.

Interested in applying in 2025? It’s never too early to start the process! Complete an Intent to Apply form today to stay connected about opportunities, events and resources leading up to the 2025 application cycle.

Joy in Medicine Program Guidelines

View the Joy in Medicine guidelines for a comprehensive look at the program’s eligibility and recognition criteria.

Register for upcoming virtual events

Register now for our annual program informational webinar and 8 informal virtual drop-in hours for applicants to discuss the program with AMA staff and ask questions about the 2025 application.

Informational webinar:

Drop-in hours:

Before submitting an application, health systems must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. Organization size

The Joy in Medicine program is intended for health systems with 75 or more physicians. As of 2025, the eligibility requirement due to size has shifted slightly and advanced practice providers (APPs) are no longer included as part of this number.

2. Organization structure

All applications should be submitted on behalf of your organization—not individual departments, GME programs, or affiliated practices within your system. Enterprise-level applications representing your whole health system are preferred. If one or more subsidiaries of a health system (e.g., individual locations or regions) are interested in applying to the program, please reach out to our team for guidance on preparing your application.

3. Assessment of physician well-being

Applicants must have completed an assessment of physician well-being in the last three years using one of the following validated tools:

  • Organizational Biopsy® (which includes the Mini-Z)
  • Maslach Burnout Inventory
  • Mayo Well-Being Index
  • Stanford Professional Fulfillment Index

If you have not yet completed a well-being assessment and would like to do so in order to prepare for next year’s application cycle, learn more about the AMA’s no-cost Organizational Biopsy.

If your organization is not currently eligible for the Joy in Medicine program, you may still take advantage of the many available AMA STEPS Forward® resources to help inform and adopt practice solutions that support physician well-being. If you require 1:1 support, consider the AMA STEPS Forward Mentoring for Impact program.

We also encourage you to review and support the Collaborative for Healing and Renewal in Medicine (CHARM) Charter. Learn more about the CHARM charter.

Recognition is based on organizational achievement and effort in six competency areas, evaluated through self-assessment and supporting documentation:

  1. Assessment: Measuring physician well-being and burnout is critical to understanding and addressing system issues.
  2. Commitment: A cross-cutting organizational commitment to workforce well-being is essential to preventing burnout within an organization.
  3. Efficiency of practice environment: Operational efficiency is key to supporting well-being. Workflow and technology inefficiencies – in addition to documentation requirements–play a central role in driving burnout among physicians.
  4. Teamwork: Effective teamwork can have a tremendous impact on the overall well-being of physicians and care teams.
  5. Leadership: Leadership behaviors set the foundation of organizational culture, a primary indicator of organizational well-being.
  6. Support: Cultivating connections at work is an important means to driving professional satisfaction.

If you have any questions related to the Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program, please contact us.

AMA Health System Program

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