Sessions added to Physician Wellness Symposium schedule


Kick off Convention weekend by participating in ISMA’s inaugural Physician Wellness Symposium!

In the demanding landscape of health care, it's easy for physicians to prioritize patient care over their own mental, emotional, and physical health. This all-day symposium on Friday, Sept. 6, will empower physicians with practical tools, insights, and strategies to cultivate resilience, find balance, and rediscover the joy in their noble profession. In addition to nationally recognized speakers, programming will include a special interactive panel discussion with physician wellness leaders from across the state and other interactive sessions.

Location: Embassy Suites, 6089 Clarks Creek Road, Plainfield, Indiana
Registration: 8:30 a.m. ET 
Symposium: 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET 
Reception: 4 – 5 p.m. ET 
Fee (includes lunch, reception, and CME credit where applicable): Physician members: $50; Physician nonmembers: $100; Resident/student members: $25 



OPENING SESSION 
“Kicking the Stigma”
In 2020, the Indianapolis Colts and Jim Irsay family launched “Kicking the Stigma,” an initiative to raise awareness about mental health and remove the stigma often associated with mental health disorders. 

Physicians and professional athletes are held to higher standards by the public, and concerns about professional reputation and potential career implications can deter them from addressing their mental health issues. The Kicking the Stigma campaign is twofold: raising awareness about the prevalence of mental health disorders in our communities, and raising and distributing funds to nonprofits and other organizations to expand treatment and research in Indiana and beyond. Kicking the Stigma Director Brett Kramer will lead the presentation. 

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
“What Actually Makes Us Happy? Lessons from an 85-Year Study of Life”
Nationally recognized speaker Robert Waldinger, MD, will lead the keynote presentation during the symposium. Dr. Waldinger is a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, where he directs the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the longest scientific study of happiness ever conducted. Among his many works, Dr. Waldinger is the author of “The Good Life,” which examines the central role of relationships in shaping our health and well-being. Symposium attendees will receive a copy of "The Good Life," and a book signing will follow Dr. Waldinger's presentation. 

PLENARY SESSION
“Using the Arts and Humanities as a Tool for Self-Care and Cultural Change within Health Care”
Expressive arts, such as visual arts, movement, drama, music, and writing, foster deep personal growth and community development. Expressive art therapy allows users to laugh, let go, and relax, which helps decrease depression, anxiety, and stress. The benefits of art extend across any medium that excites you. In this session, led by Jeffrey M. Rothenberg, MD, you’ll learn how art can be a powerful tool for self-care and mental health. Dr. Rothenberg is board-certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, an examiner for the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and a diplomate of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, for whom he serves as the District 5 chairman. Dr. Rothenberg, who is still a practicing OB-GYN, is also an accomplished glass artist, working internationally in public and private collections. His educational passion is the integration of the arts and humanities into medical education, specifically as a tool for self-help and reflection and an opportunity for advancing interprofessional communication.

CURRENT PROGRAM SCHEDULE 
Registration and visit exhibit hall – 8:30 a.m. ET

Welcome address - ISMA President David R. Diaz, MD – 9:30 a.m. ET

Morning schedule:
  • Opening session - Colts “Kicking the Stigma” campaign
  • Keynote address - Robert Waldinger, MD
  • Plenary session - Jeffrey Rothenberg, MD
Break - Lunch, networking and visit exhibit hall

Afternoon schedule: 
  • Plenary session – Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation
  • Physician wellness leadership panel discussion, “Creating Supportive Work Environments”
  • Table talk discussions
Closing remarks
Reception and visit exhibit hall – 4-5 p.m. ET

*Schedule is subject to change.