BayCare Receives American Medical Association Joy in Medicine® Award

CLEARWATER, Fla. , Sept. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BayCare has earned the 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.
 
"BayCare is honored to receive the bronze 2025 AMA Joy in Medicine award. We take tremendous pride in prioritizing the well-being of our physicians," said BayCare Chief Physician Executive Dr. Sowmya Viswanathan. "This milestone is a clear reminder that wellness-focused leadership is critical. When we focus on the well-being of our physicians, they can focus on the joy of providing compassionate care that is aligned with their talents and our mission, vision and values. I am proud of BayCare's national leadership in well-being excellence and how this honor underscores our commitment to ensuring BayCare is the best place to work, receive and provide care."

Burnout among U.S. physicians peaked at 62.8% in 2021 during the COVID pandemic, according to a recent study. But with system-level efforts to address burnout, the national physician burnout rate declined 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, M.D. "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."

BayCare's wellness initiatives honor its system-wide commitment to creating a supportive, innovative and empowering environment for physicians and nurses.

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: AMA Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program

About BayCare

BayCare is a leading not-for-profit academic health care system that connects individuals and families to a wide range of services at 16 hospitals, including a children's hospital, and hundreds of other convenient locations throughout the Tampa Bay and central Florida regions. The system is West Central Florida's largest provider of behavioral health and pediatric services and its provider group, BayCare Medical Group, is one of the largest in the region. BayCare's diverse network of ambulatory services includes laboratories, imaging, surgical centers, BayCare Urgent Care locations, wellness centers and one of Florida's largest home care agencies, BayCare HomeCare. BayCare's mission is to improve the health of all it serves through community-owned, health care services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care. For more information, visit BayCare.org. 

SOURCE BayCare Health System