At UT Health San Antonio, a dedicated program is working to nurture the next
generation of compassionate healthcare professionals. It’s called the Wellness Home
program, and it goes beyond the typical medical training model.
This dedicated team at UT Health San Antonio recognizes that well-being isn’t just for
patients and their families; it’s crucial for medical residents and fellows too. With nearly
1,000 individuals training across 90 specialties – from Pediatrics and Surgery to Internal
Medicine – the Wellness Home program provides mental health services, coaching, and
mentoring. Their focus isn’t just on performance, but also on equipping residents and
fellows with the tools to navigate challenges within medicine while prioritizing their own
care. This comprehensive approach fosters a more empathetic and supportive
environment that translates directly to safe, high quality patient care.
The program’s commitment to nurturing compassion extends beyond individual well-
being. Their partnership with CompassionateUSA exemplifies this dedication. Inspired
by the Compassionate City initiative, the Wellness Home developed a groundbreaking
longitudinal Compassion Course, now in its fourth year. This course empowers
residents and fellows to become agents of positive change within the healthcare
system.
To further amplify their message of compassion, the Wellness Home Program partnered
with CompassionateUSA to develop a version of their compassion course using the
platform of their “Ripples: Physician Wellness” podcast. This podcast, currently in its
third season, specifically focuses on compassion for self, others and society, following
the same structure as their impactful Compassion Course. This season delves deeper
into fostering compassion within healthcare communities, featuring prominent guests
like Roshi Joan Halifax, Rev. Ann Helmke and Mayor Ron Nirenberg.
The Wellness Home Program is committed to making their resources accessible to all.
This month, they’ll complete the final recordings of Season 3, which will feature
discussions on compassionate community interaction with Rev. Ann Helmke and Mayor
Ron Nirenberg’s vision for his compassionate city program. The entirety of Season 3 will
be available on YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify among others and information on the
podcast will be provided to mayors across the country who wish to develop similar
programs.
Learn more about the Wellness Home Program and its initiatives, including access to
the “Ripples: Physician Wellness” podcast, and at their website: https://uthscsa.edu/medicine/education/gme/wellness.
By prioritizing compassion, UT Health SA and CompassionateUSA are paving the way
for a healthcare future that cares for both the caregivers and those they serve.