Rady Children’s Health Orange County (Rady Children’s), formerly CHOC, has earned bronze-level recognition from the American Medical Association (AMA) as a Joy in Medicine® organization. Rady Children’s is the only pediatric health organization in Southern California to earn the distinction.
The recognition honors health systems, hospitals, and medical groups that prioritize proven methods to reduce burnout and enhance the professional fulfillment of doctors that comes from patient care. According to the AMA, organizations that meet the rigorous criteria of the Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program are leaders in the national effort to transform health care work systems and address the root causes of burnout among care teams.
At Rady Children’s, that work has included establishing dedicated physician wellness leadership, using data to better understand the drivers of burnout, creating spaces and resources that support physicians during the workday, and investing in leadership development focused on connection, trust and engagement. A wellness-centered leadership program launched with physician leaders has shown sustained improvements in burnout, confidence in leadership, and physicians’ perceptions that their leaders listen to and support them.
“Our physicians give so much of themselves to children and families every day, and we have a responsibility to support them in return,” said Kim Milstien, executive vice president and regional president, Orange County, Rady Children’s Health. “This recognition reflects the thoughtful work our physicians and leaders have done together to create an environment where people feel supported, heard, valued, and able to do their best work.”
For Anjalee Galion, MD, MBA, chief physician wellness officer at Rady Children’s Health Orange County, the recognition reflects an intentional focus on addressing well-being at the organizational level.
“Physician well-being is not about asking people who are already stretched to simply become more resilient,” Galion said. “It means listening to physicians, understanding what gets in the way of their ability to do their best work, and changing the systems and culture around them. When physicians and leaders work together on those solutions, we can create meaningful and lasting change.”
“Supporting physician well-being helps create better care for everyone,” said AMA President Willie Underwood III, MD, MSc, MPH. “Studies show that when physicians are supported, patients benefit from safer care, higher quality, and a better overall experience. Organizations recognized by the Joy in Medicine Program are leading the way by investing in workplaces that support physicians and help them deliver compassionate, high-quality care. The AMA is proud to honor these leaders for their commitment to physician well-being and healthier communities.”
Since its inception in 2019, the AMA Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program has recognized more than 250 organizations across the country. Recognition levels are valid for two years. This year, a total of 92 health organizations nationwide earned recognition with documented efforts to reduce system-level drivers of work-related burnout and demonstrated competencies in commitment, assessment, leadership, efficiency of practice environment, teamwork, and support. Organizations that earned 2026-2027 recognitionjoin a strong group of currently recognized organizations from the 2025-2026 program,bringing the currently recognized cohort to 194 recognized organizations.
