Purpose of the Faculty Wellness Committee
The Joint Commission requires a health care facility to have a physician wellness process in place to accomplish the goals that have been described for the Faculty Wellness Committee (FWC) and Faculty and Physician Wellness Program (FPWP).
The key purpose of the FWC is to develop and implement a comprehensive program of education and prevention strategies to complement the established procedures of the Faculty and Physician Wellness Program.
FWC Goals and Objectives
To address and educate regarding uncontrolled stress, anxiety and depression, substance abuse, physical illness, career difficulties and family problems
- Conduct a needs assessment of faculty and leadership at Vanderbilt
- Improve awareness of FWC and available resources at Vanderbilt and in the region
- To develop, implement and publicize current and new educational programs and training programs for leaders
- Increase educational opportunities for students, residents and faculty to promote wellness (healthy coping and lifestyles)
To oversee the strategic plan to promote physical, emotional, spiritual and mental wellness
- Improve a culture of wellness and promote a sense of duty to our colleagues to recognize their sufferings and provide a caring and supportive environment
- Increase incentives/benefits/rewards for maintaining wellness
- Influence policy for wellness
- Provide a support network for distressed and impaired faculty and physicians
- Reduce stigma for impaired/distressed faculty and physicians
To contribute to the body of scholarship on wellness at state, regional and national levels
- Contribute to the scholarship of discovery, teaching, application, and integration
- Influence licensing boards and national policies
- Meet national requirements for addressing dysfunctional and impaired colleagues and protect our patients
- Expand to other health care fields and learn from other professional fields
The Faculty and Physician Wellness Program is here to serve and support members of our academic community and provide educational opportunities for all departments within the medical center.
We are available to speak with faculty at department meetings; to provide training in professionalism; and to assist department chairs and division heads in their effort to identify and refer colleagues in distress.
Want to be part of the Faculty Wellness Committee?
The Faculty Wellness Committee welcomes your input. To share information, concerns, and interests or to join a committee, please contact Dr. Charlene Dewey, Chair of the FWC at: centerprofessionalhealth@vanderbilt.edu or charlene.dewey@vanderbilt.edu. You may also call the Center at 615-963-0678.