ISMA will host its third annual Physician Wellness Symposium on Friday, Sept. 25, bringing together physicians, trainees and health care leaders to address one of medicine’s most urgent challenges: physician well-being.

The full-day event is designed to provide both personal and organizational strategies to combat burnout, strengthen resilience and foster healthier workplace cultures. Programming will feature keynote storytelling, evidence-based education and practical sessions aimed at equipping attendees with actionable tools they can implement across diverse clinical settings. 

The symposium opens with a keynote from Adam Hill, MD, associate professor of pediatrics and associate medical director of wellbeing at Children’s Hospital Colorado. In “A Physician’s Road to Recovery,” Hill will share his experience with long-term addiction recovery and discuss barriers to treatment, the importance of vulnerability and opportunities for advocacy in physician mental health.

Subsequent plenary sessions will examine both the science and systems behind physician well-being. Jason Marker, MD, MPA, FAAFP, will present “The Science of Slowing Down,” focusing on the neurobiological effects of stress and practical interventions to support emotional health. Kyra Reed, MD, will lead a session on implementing prevention-focused strategies that reduce stigma and improve access to mental health resources.

A third plenary session will address workforce sustainability and leadership engagement, featuring Scott Tittle, JD, president of the Indiana Hospital Association, and Jim Callaghan, MD, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Franciscan Alliance. The discussion will explore how health systems can better support physicians through strategic planning, leadership development and expanded wellness resources.

The program concludes with a facilitated panel discussion, “What Will It Take to Move the Needle in Indiana?” focused on identifying actionable improvements to support physician well-being statewide.

The symposium will be moderated by Clif Knight, MD, CPE, FAAFP, assistant dean of graduate medical education at Marian University’s Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine.

In addition to educational sessions, the event will include networking opportunities, a “Walk with a Doc” activity, and wellness-focused offerings such as complimentary chair massages. 

The symposium is open to physicians, residents, medical students, wellness officers, hospital administrators and other health care leaders. Registration fees include meals and a copy of Hill’s book, "Long Walk Out of the Woods." Limited financial hardship scholarships are available for students and residents. Please contact Michelle O’Rourke for more information. 

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