Case study: How Catholic Health built a system-wide clinician resilience engine to provide organizational support and foster well-being  

Catholic Health 

Catholic Health is an integrated healthcare system serving Long Island, encompassing six hospitals and a comprehensive network of physician practices, multispecialty offices, imaging centers, ambulatory surgery facilities, rehabilitation services, home care, and hospice. As one of Long Island’s largest employers, Catholic Health plays a vital role in delivering high-quality, compassionate, and community-centered care. 

Challenge 

Like many health systems, Catholic Health faced rising clinician burnout driven by heavier workloads, emotional fatigue, and fragmented support structures. Well-being varied across departments, and the lack of a coordinated, system-wide approach put patient experience, team cohesion, and retention at risk. 

Without a unified and accountable strategy, interventions remained siloed, psychological safety varied, and achieving sustained improvement in clinician well-being proved challenging. 

Strategy 

1. Establishing governance and measurement infrastructure 

• Conducted a system-wide assessment to identify key drivers of clinician distress and variation across sites 

• Established a Clinician Resilience & Well-Being Committee that reports directly to senior leadership and the board to ensure alignment, accountability, and enterprise visibility

2. Implementing emotional and operational support programs 

• Launched the RISE peer support program to provide confidential, timely support following challenging clinical events 

• Introduced COMPASS-style peer support dinners to foster connection, reflection, and shared experience across clinical teams 

• Developed targeted initiatives to strengthen teamwork and normalize conversations surrounding emotional well-being 

3. Building local capability through the Fellows of Wellness Program 

• Developed and trained front-line clinicians as wellness ambassadors to elevate local ownership and real-time insight 

• Empowered Fellows to lead practical, unit-level interventions focused on reducing unnecessary work, improving communication, and strengthening psychological safety 

4. Reinforcing cultural drivers of resilience 

• Integrated leadership development, humanities in medicine, and relational practices to strengthen trust, empathy, and meaning in work 

• Utilized continuous measurement and structured feedback loops to refine interventions and sustain long-term impact 

Results 

• 17% reduction in clinician burnout in the first year 

• Measurable improvement in key well-being indicators, including increased meaning in work and improved ability to disconnect 

• Expanded engagement in peer support programs and Fellow-led initiatives 

• Strengthened psychological safety and team connection across clinical environments 

• Recognition by the AMA Joy in Medicine™ Program (Bronze level), reflecting a strong institutional commitment to clinician well-being 

“This work isn’t about adding another initiative—it’s about removing friction, creating space for connection, and ensuring our clinicians feel supported in the environments where they practice every day. When that happens, teamwork strengthens, patient experience improves, and outcomes follow.” 

— Michael Moskowitz, DO, MBA 
VP, Clinician Resilience & Well-Being 
Catholic Health