In this episode, Dr. Sanjay Saint, Chief of Medicine at the VA Ann Arbor and the George Dock Professor of Internal Medicine at U-M, features as guest. Saint’s Sacred Moments Initiative highlights emotionally profound connections between patients and caregivers. These moments — where time slows and humanity shines — combat burnout and remind clinicians why they entered healthcare.

Inspired by both research and personal stories, like a dying veteran thanking a student or a small act of kindness on a pickleball court, Saint emphasizes creating environments and cultures that invite presence and healing. Through reflection rounds, storytelling, and even architectural redesign, the initiative seeks to normalize, preserve, and celebrate these transformative human experiences in medical care.

Transcript

Learn more:

• Sacred Moments Initiative
• Research paper: Sacred Moment Experiences Among Internal Medicine Physicians
• Research paper: Making Room for Meaningful Moments in Medicine—Prioritizing Continuity and Relationships

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 Chip Amoe, U-M Health’s Chief Sustainability Officer, who shares how his Michigan roots and passion for revitalizing communities inspired his career in health care sustainability.

He highlights the vital link between climate change and health, emphasizing the need for hospitals to lead sustainability efforts.

Through thoughtful building design, like the LEED-Platinum certified D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion, and a focus on reducing waste, emissions, and harmful chemicals, U-M Health is improving well-being for patients, staff, and communities. Amoe encourages individuals to be ambassadors for sustainable practices both at work and home.

Learn more:

• U-M Health Environmental Sustainability & Carbon Neutrality
• D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion

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. You can subscribe to Well-Being at Michigan Medicine on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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

In this episode, Dr. Elizabeth Harry speaks with leaders from U-M (Dr. Kelcey Stratton), Office of Counseling and Workplace Resilience (Dr. Whitney Begeman) and MHealthy (Karen Schmidt) about key mental health and well-being challenges in 2025. They explore how post-pandemic trauma, burnout, social isolation and workplace stress continue to impact health care professionals.

The trio of guests share insights on practical tools like micro-breaks, peer support through the COMPASS program and nature-based practices from the NatureRx initiative. They emphasize the power of small, sustainable habits—like five-minute daily check-ins and better sleep hygiene—to boost resilience. Whether you're a caregiver, leader, or staff member, this conversation offers meaningful strategies for thriving in body, mind and spirit.

Episode guests:

• Kelcey Stratton, Ph.D.
• Whitney Begeman, Psy.D., L.P.
• Karen Schmidt, M.P.H.

Resources:

• Office of Counseling and Workplace Resilience (OCWR)
• MHealthy
• Well-being Collective

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. You can subscribe to Well-Being at Michigan Medicine on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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