Physician Well-Being
Support for Members and Participants
An essential part of our Quadruple Aim is to support physician well-being. Our program encompasses personal, professional, and organizational factors that influence overall satisfaction, health, and productivity. The initiative is led by Dr. Joseph Patruno, our Chief Wellness Officer, with assistance from Services Specialist Beth Downing, who provides background support and project management. A wellness committee, comprising professionals from many areas – from clinical practice to marketing – originates and implements partnerships, programs, and resources.
If you have a need for wellness resources that you don’t find listed here, please email [email protected], Chief Wellness Officer.
Physician Support Line (staffed by volunteer psychiatrists)
1-888-409-0141. Available from 8 a.m. - 1 a.m.
Physicians-For-Physicians Program
Colleagues who have “been there” can relate to situations, stressors, and concerns encountered in the workplace by their peers. For this reason, LVHN developed a Physicians-for-Physicians (P4P) Peer Support Program. The program assists clinicians who are experiencing stresses, especially those brought on by their professional roles.
Physicians, medical students, APCs, and pharmacists can reach out to a P4P Peer Support Mentor on their own or initiate a conversation by calling Preferred EAP at 610-433-8550.
Learn more about P4P »
Preferred EAP Counseling
We recognize the importance of physician wellness, and offer mental health support to all members at no cost.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, a personal or work-related concern, or are simply seeking emotional support and guidance, Preferred EAP’s highly trained counselors are here to help. Our services are strictly confidential.
Call 610-433-8550 or 1-800-327-8878.
Drop-In Hours
Drop-in hours with licensed professional counselors are available at each Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) campus. This no-appointment-necessary option is convenient for physicians, providers, and health care staff when concerns just can’t wait.
On-Campus Locations and Hours:
(The hours listed are drop-in times. Staff encourages colleagues to call ahead to confirm location and availability.)
LVH-Cedar Crest
Employee Health, Anderson Wing, 3rd floor*
Wednesdays 8-10:30 a.m. and Fridays 2-4 p.m.
LVH-Hazleton
Education & Technology Center, 3rd floor (office off main conference room)
Tuesdays 2-4 p.m.
LVH-Pocono
Main Hospital Building (office is first door on right after reception desk)
Wednesdays 2-4 p.m.
LVH-Schuylkill
Main Hospital Building, 2nd floor conference room
*Directions to Employee Health in the Anderson Wing at LVH-Cedar Crest: Enter through the main entrance or start there if you’re in the building. Walk down the right hallway. Take the elevators on the left side of the hallway (just beyond the cafeteria) to the third floor. Follow signs to Employee Health.
Learn more »
Mindfulness Programs through Preferred EAP
- Growing Resilience with Mindfulness Online (GRMO): This program offers six, 90-minute sessions, where participants practice mindfulness virtually in a group for encouragement and socialization. Led by teachers from the Center for Mindfulness. Enroll through My Total Health Portal or this inquiry form.
Listen to an audio introduction by Susan Wiley, MD | View orientation session
- Session 2: Tuesdays: March 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20, 27 – 4:30pm-6:00pm
- Session 3: Thursdays: May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10 – 5:00pm-6:30pm
- Session 4: Wednesdays: June 23, 30, July 7, 14, 21 – 5:30pm-7:00pm
- Session 5: Tuesdays: Aug. 24, 31, Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28 – 5:00pm-6:30pm
- Session 6: Thursdays: Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov. 4, 11 – 4:30pm-6:00pm
- Mindfulness on the Spot (MOTS): A 45-minute virtual program for beginners that covers what mindfulness is and how it can be practiced. Led by teachers from the Center for Mindfulness. This program is provided to groups or departments by request.
- The Graduate Practice Group is for graduates of the GRMO or MBSR programs: This virtual group meets the first Tuesday and third Wednesday of each month from 6-7 p.m. via Blue Jeans.
- LVHN Mindfulness Audio Meditations
Try the 3-minute mindfulness exercise below, led by Susan Wiley, MD, co-founder of the Center for Mindfulness at LVHN, for an easy introduction to the practice!
Three Minute Breathing Meditation
BeneFIT Health Coaching
A certified health coach can help you identify what you want to work on, and strategies to help you be successful in reaching your goals. We take a non-prescriptive approach, meaning that you set the goals and we help you achieve them.
1-800-955-6620, option 2
Podcasts
Talk of the Town Podcast from Valley Preferred Cycling Center:
Red Light Green Light: Reasons to Play and Reasons to Stay with Dr.’s Patruno and Czysz
Free Relaxation Resources
Access brief mindfulness videos provided by our colleagues at Christiana Care.
Mental health benefits of storytelling and reflective writing for health care workers
Listen to this Ted Talk with Laurel Braitman from Stanford Medical School
Well-Being Index
The Well-Being Index (WBI), developed by the Mayo Clinic and managed by web solutions provider Med+Ed, evaluates wellness in just nine questions. Lehigh Valley Hospital Network (LVHN) and Valley Preferred are encouraging providers to take the survey to collect critical data in the form of de-identified, aggregate reports on provider well-being. This will allow us to look specifically at cohorts on our medical staffs to better develop programs and interventions to promote wellness and mitigate burnout.
Learn more »
Virtual Workouts
LVHN Fitness is providing virtual workouts on their Facebook page guided by their exercise physiologists.
Join a workout! »
Physical fitness and activities at home
While LVHN Fitness locations are closed, LVHN Fitness will help you stay active by sharing tips and ideas on Facebook for maintaining fitness and health. Visit the Opens in new tab LVHN Fitness Facebook page and the LVHN Fitness website, or call the phone numbers above for updates about when the facilities will reopen.
You can also utilize these free, virtual fitness services:
Childcare
On LVHN Intranet:
There may be resources on the Market Place feature, and it’s easy to find and use:
- Go to our LVHN intranet (intranet.lvh.com)
- In the left column under “Colleague Resources,” click “Market Place.”
- In the left column, click “COVID-19 Childcare.”
- Click “Share Childcare Information to help each other!”
Additional Pennsylvania Resources:
The primary resource for individuals seeking certified child care in counties identified as Yellow or Green in the Governor's Phased-In Approach to Reopen Business in Pennsylvania is www.findchildcare.pa.gov and should be used now that the Stay at Home Order is lifted.
Pastoral Care
Receive spiritual and emotional support from an LVHN chaplain by calling 610-402-8999.
Covid-19 Women Physicians’ Emotional Well-Being social media group
This is a private virtual space for women physicians to process their emotional experience during the pandemic.
COVID-19 Women Physicians’ Emotional Well-Being
Food Insecurity and Shopping
Resources are available to support you and your community in preventing food insecurity during the economic crisis brought about by COVID-19. Reach out Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania (serving Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, Pike and Wayne counties). For information about food safety and shopping while coronavirus is still a concern: Getting Groceries During Quarantine.
Pa Unemployment Guidelines
Here is information on new guidelines for those affected by Covid-19, who may not ordinarily qualify for benefits.
PA Office of Unemployment Compensation
Pa Dept. of Human Services for Mental Health
Find guidance and help from the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS).
PA Department of Human Services