Health care providers are human like the rest of us. They too suffer from fatigue, stress and anxiety. Gifts to the Dr. H. Earle Russell Physician and Associate Wellness Fund is combating just that. Instead of solely delivering care, doctors and nurses are receiving it themselves.

“We often don’t know how to reach out for help. Many of us don’t know that help exists,” says Dr. Julie Dangler, Medical Director of Wellbeing. “Studies have shown over and over that if associates are well mentally, patients will do better.”

Dr. Russell’s family started the fund to provide resources to prioritize wellness and mental health for Bon Secours St. Francis physicians and employees. Dr. Dangler and her committee are busy putting the Fund to work.

“We now have an event for all providers that gives insight into things that impact their own well-being and how to improve it,” she says. “We have established a buddy program that pairs a new physician with an experienced one.”

The many initiatives made possible by the Fund add up to more support for associates in stressful fields. Dr. Dangler is grateful that donor support is helping her lead the way toward her goal of improving the mental health of her fellow providers.

“It’s an unbelievable gift that we have the resources to do something about this problem,” she says. “It’s baby steps. It’s planting seeds. It’s about getting the word out there that we care about this and that we can make a difference.”