Health Worker Well-Being Change Makers: Accelerator Cohorts
The Change Maker Accelerators is a yearlong program designed to help selected health organizations implement professional well-being efforts. Participants engage in cohort-based group discussions and receive practical tools. With guidance from experienced coaches, they form a community focused on the shared goal of creating and measuring sustainable, evidence-based well-being interventions.
2026 Cohort and Representatives
Accelerating Change
The second cohort of Accelerators have committed to tracking implementation of the National Plan for Health Workforce Well-Being at their institutions. The NAM is working directly with this group to facilitate and measure progress across the National Plan’s priority areas and build a community of practice.
Advocate Health, Illinois
Representative: Jenna Elmore, Clinician Development Program Manager
Advocate Health is a nonprofit, integrated health system serving nearly 6 million patients across multiple states, focused on redefining care through clinical excellence, innovation, and health equity.
Alameda Health System, California
Representatives:
Ken R. Coelho, DHSc, MS, FRSPH, FACHDM, FRSM, Associate Designated Institutional Official (A-DIO) and Director of Graduate/Continuing Medical Education (GME/CME)
Sofia S. Newton, MPH, Wellness Program Manager
Alameda Health System (AHS) is a publicly funded, integrated safety-net health system based in Oakland, California, serving the diverse communities of Alameda County in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since 1864, AHS has been a cornerstone of care in the East Bay, delivering comprehensive services across hospitals, outpatient clinics, and community-based settings. Grounded in our mission of Caring, Healing, Teaching, Serving All, AHS is dedicated to providing high-quality, equitable, and culturally responsive care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.
American College of Cardiology, District of Columbia
Representative: Stephanie Mitchell, BPh, Member Leadership and Engagement
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is a global leader dedicated to transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health for all. For more than 75 years, the ACC has empowered a community of over 60,000 cardiovascular professionals across more than 140 countries with cutting-edge education and advocacy, rigorous professional credentials, and trusted clinical guidance. From its world-class JACC Journals and NCDR registries to its Accreditation Services, global network of Chapters and Sections, and CardioSmart patient initiatives, the College is committed to creating a world where science, knowledge and innovation optimize patient care and outcomes. More information is available at www.acc.org.
Cambridge Health Alliance, Massachusetts
Representative: Rachael Cross, Wellbeing Manager
Cancer Network of West Michigan, Michigan
Representative: Kelly D. Holder, PhD, Director, Oncology Mental Health and Wellness
The Cancer Network of West Michigan is a collaborative cancer care program uniting Trinity Health, University of Michigan Health-West, and Michigan Medicine to provide comprehensive, advanced cancer services across West Michigan.
Community Health Network, Indiana
Representatives:
Noah Kersey, MD, Chief Wellness Officer
Taylor Wildauer, MSW, Manager Physician Well-Being and Professional Development
Ranked among the nation’s most integrated healthcare systems, Indianapolis-based Community Health Network is Central Indiana’s leader in providing convenient access to exceptional healthcare services, where and when patients need them—in hospitals, health pavilions and doctor’s offices, as well as workplaces, schools and homes. As a non-profit health system with more than 200 sites of care and affiliates throughout Central Indiana, Community’s full continuum of care integrates hundreds of physicians, specialty and acute care hospitals, surgery centers, cancer centers, home care services, urgent care centers, behavioral health and employer health services, and more. Community Health Network puts patients first while offering a full continuum of healthcare services, world-class innovations and a focus on population health management.
CoxHealth, Missouri
Representatives:
Erika Eby, Benefit Analyst, Human Resources
Julia Flax, MD FAAFP Chief Population Health Officer
CoxHealth is an award-winning regional health system with six hospitals, more than 80 clinics, five ERs and more than 14,000 employees throughout southwest Missouri. CoxHealth is Missouri’s first hospital system accredited by DNV Healthcare for quality and patient safety. Cox Medical Centers, which includes CoxHealth’s Springfield hospitals, is designated as a Magnet® hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program, and CoxHealth is also the only Springfield hospital named for seven years to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Regional Hospitals list. CoxHealth is recognized by CareChex®, the medical quality rating division of Comparion®, as among the Top 10% U.S. hospitals for patient safety in overall hospital, medical and surgical care. For more information, visit www.coxhealth.com.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts
Representatives:
Briana DiPrizio, Project Manager II
Joellen Huebner, MPH, Senior Program Manager, Center for Faculty Well-Being
Jennifer Ligibel, MD, Director, Center for Faculty Well-Being
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute provides expert, compassionate, and equitable care to children, adults, and their families, while advancing the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, cure, and prevention of cancer and related diseases. The Dana-Farber Center for Faculty Well-Being (CFWB), led by Jennifer Ligibel, MD, was formed in late 2019. The fundamental mission of the CFWB is to develop strategies to mitigate symptoms of burnout and promote professional fulfillment in Dana-Farber faculty. Key activities of the Center include regular data collection regarding the prevalence of burnout symptoms and development of initiatives to reduce burnout and promote well-being.
Essentia Health, Minnesota
Representatives:
Carolyn Hughes, DNP, RN, PHN, NE-BC, NPD-BC, System Senior Nursing Director – Professional Development and Clinical Excellence
Nancy Sudak, MD, IFMCP, Chief Well-Being Officer and Director of Integrative Health
Essentia Health combines the strengths and talents of more than 16,000 employees, who serve patients and communities in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, guided by the mission to make a healthy difference in people’s lives. Essentia lives out its mission through a human-centered focus across 14 hospitals, 80 clinics, 30 retail pharmacies, six long-term care facilities, five assisted and independent living facilities, seven ambulance services, and one research institute.
Indiana Hospital Association, Indiana
Representatives:
Laurie Gerdt, LMHC, Quality and Safety Advisor
Karin Kennedy, MS, Vice President, Quality & Safety
The Indiana Hospital Association is a member organization governed by our Board of Directors. Our mission is to provide more than 160 Indiana hospital members with leadership, representation, and support to improve the health of all Hoosiers. IHA’s Safe and Sound program focuses on the safety and well-being of the health care workforce through advocacy, awareness, data collection, and education.
Kansas City University, Missouri
Representatives:
Carlton Abner, DNP, RN, NBC-HWC, Vice Provost, Student Engagement and Well-being
Nathan Matney, MPH, Director, Campus Health & Wellness
Kansas City University (KCU) is a private university with two campuses – one in Kansas City, Missouri and one in Joplin, Missouri. It was founded in 1916 as one of the original osteopathic medical schools in the United States and is currently the 4th largest medical school in the nation. KCU’s health sciences program include a College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Biosciences, and College of Dental Medicine.
Legacy Health, Oregon
Representatives:
Lori Eckel, LCSW, Wellbeing Senior Consultant
Shamai Larsen, MEd, NCC, Employee Wellbeing Manager
Kathy Nguyen, MAOL, Wellbeing Program Coordinator
Legacy Health is a local, nonprofit, 8-hospital health system that also includes a full-service children’s hospital, a 24-hour mental and behavioral health services center, a level 1 Trauma Center, regional burn center and a research institute and a GME program. Legacy operates more than 70 primary care, specialty and urgent care clinics, 14,000 employees and nearly 3,000 health care providers. We provide comprehensive health care services across the Portland and Vancouver metro area and mid-Willamette Valley serving over 2.5 million people from rural areas to urban centers. Legacy remains actively committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in all facets of the organization.
NYC Health + Hospitals, New York
Representatives:
Jeremy Segall, MA, RDT, LCAT, FPCC, Assistant Vice President, System Chief Wellness Officer
Tiffany Vasconcellos, MA, System Director, Workforce Wellness
NYC Health + Hospitals (H+H) is the largest municipal health system in the country, with 11 acute care locations, five post-acute care (skilled nursing) facilities, and over 50 patient care locations in the Gotham Health network. H+H provides comprehensive health care services including preventive and primary care, behavioral health, substance use disorder, trauma care, high-risk neonatal and obstetric care, and burn care. H+H acute care hospitals serve as major teaching hospitals and includes: a managed care plan called MetroPlus; an Accountable Care Organization that provides Medicare beneficiaries with coordinated care and chronic disease management; a Certified Home Health Agency; a Health Home; and Correctional Health Services (CHS), serving patients on Rikers Island.
Parkland Health, Texas
Representatives:
Ryan Alcantar, MBA, VP Employee Health Integration
Jennifer “Jenna” Markusic Wimberly, MD, MA, HEC-C, Medical Director of Clinical Ethics and Resiliency
Parkland Health is one of the largest public hospital systems in the country. Premier services at the state-of-the-art Parkland Memorial Hospital include the Level I Rees-Jones Trauma Center, the only burn center in North Texas verified for adults and pediatric patients by the American Burn Association and the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma and a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The system also includes two on-campus buildings housing multi-specialty outpatient clinics – the Ron J. Anderson, MD Clinic and the Moody Outpatient Center, as well as more than 30 community-based clinics and numerous outreach and education programs. Parkland enriches the health and wellness of the communities it serves by providing compassionate care and advancing health equity. For more information, visit www.parklandhealth.org.
Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, Pennsylvania
Representatives:
Laurie Badzek, LLM, JD, MS, RN, FNAP, FAAN, Dean and Professor, Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing Christina M. Lightner, PhD, CRNP, WHNP-BC, CNE, Associate Teaching Professor and Coordinator of Academic Wellness
Kelly A. Wolgast, DNP, RN, FACHE, FAAN, Teaching Professor and Assistant Dean for Outreach and Professional Development
The Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing is one of the largest educators of nursing students in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with approximately 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students across 13 campuses. The Mission is: “To prepare leaders in nursing to positively impact the lives and health of individuals, communities, and populations around the world.”
The Vision: “To be a global leader in health and nursing science through education, research, innovation, practice, and service.” All eligible programs have maintained Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accreditation since CCNE’s establishment, as well as full approval from the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. Our website for additional information is https://www.nursing.psu.edu/.
Tampa General Hospital, Florida
Representative: Dian A. Ginsberg, EdD, MA, CPCC, CHWC, Learning Institute Consultant
Tampa General Hospital is a private not-for-profit hospital and one of the most comprehensive medical facilities in West Central Florida serving a dozen counties with a population in excess of 4 million. As one of the largest hospitals in Florida, Tampa General is licensed for 982 beds, and with approximately 15,000 team members and providers, is one of the region’s largest employers. Consistently recognized for world-class care, Tampa General Hospital is ranked as the #1 hospital in Tampa Bay by U.S. News & World Report for 2025-26 and is nationally ranked among the top 50 hospitals in the nation in six specialties.
University of Maryland School of Medicine, Maryland
Representatives:
Irina Burd, MD, PhD, Sylvan Frieman, MD Endowed Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences and Chair, Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
Ada Offurum, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Assistant Dean for Faculty Affairs and Professional Development, University of Maryland School of Medicine; Medical Director, UMMC Physician Advisory Group, University of Maryland Medical Center
The University of Maryland School of Medicine is a public medical school located in Baltimore and part of the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Founded in 1807, it is the first public medical school in the United States and among the oldest in the nation. The school is a leading academic medical center dedicated to education, biomedical research, patient care, and community service. It trains physicians, scientists, and health professionals through MD, PhD, and combined-degree programs, and is closely affiliated with major teaching hospitals such as the University of Maryland Medical Center. Known for innovation in areas like trauma care, infectious disease, and transplantation, the institution continues to play a major role in advancing medical science and improving public health locally and globally.
University of Hawaii at Manoa, School of Nursing & Dental Hygiene (SONDH), Hawaii
Representative: Frankie B. Hale, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor
Driven by a strong commitment to community health and the reduction of health disparities in Hawaii and the Pacific region, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa School of Nursing & Dental Hygiene (SONDH) prepares students to deliver culturally responsive care within a multicultural environment through a comprehensive curriculum, varied clinical rotations, and pioneering programs. As the only public, research-intensive nursing school in the state and a highly ranked, accredited institution recognized for producing exceptional health professionals, SONDH offers a diverse array of programs, including Bachelor of Science, an accelerated Graduate Entry Program in Nursing (GEPN), Master of Science, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), and Dental Hygiene. Our cutting-edge simulation center provides a secure environment for the SONDH Ohana (family) and facilitates interdisciplinary collaborative partnerships.
University of Texas Southwestern, Texas
Representative: Julian Longoria, Senior Project Manager
University of Vermont Health, Vermont
Representative: Craig Stevens, Employee Wellness Program Manager
University of Virginia Health, Virginia
Representatives:
Ann Kellams, MD, NABBLM-C, IBCLC, FAAP, FABM, Professor and Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs, Department of Pediatrics, Director, UVA Breastfeeding Medicine Program and Co-Director, UVA Health Office of Team Wellbeing
Natalie May, PhD, Projects Manager, UVA Health Office of Team Wellbeing and Associate Professor of Research, UVA School of Nursing
UVA Health is an integrated health system anchored by a world-class academic medical center, including a Level I trauma center, a Level IV NICU, Virginia’s first NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and UVA Health Children’s. The system also includes three community hospitals, a specialty rehabilitation hospital, two physician groups, and an integrated network of primary and specialty care clinics. UVA Health Office of Team Wellbeing’s approach to clinician wellbeing is organized around three core pillars: strengthening individual and team resilience, identifying and reducing unnecessary system stressors, and applying principles of stress first aid.
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, California
Representatives:
Kristen Connor, MSPH, Analyst, Office of Healthcare Transformation and Innovation
Christine Holland, Ph.D., BCB, Chief Clinical Well-Being Officer
Lindsay Levitan, MPH, BCB, Employee Whole Health Coordinator
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System offers a wide range of health, support, and facility services for Veterans at 11 locations in a 5-county area of southern California.
The Wright Centers for Community Health and GME, Pennsylvania
Representatives:
Shannon Osborne, Manager, Enterprise Trauma-Competent Wellness Initiatives
Meaghan Ruddy, PhD, Organizational Development Consultant
Founded in 1976, The Wright Centers for Community Health (an FQHC-LAL), Graduate Medical Education (an ACGME-accredited sponsoring institution), and Patient & Community Engagement (a subsidiary focused on improving community health) are a physician-led, community-owned nonprofit and a cornerstone of health care in Northeast Pennsylvania. The Wright Center is committed to developing itself and the communities it serves through responsive, trauma-competent initiatives that support individual and collective well-being. Learn more at TheWrightCenter.org.
Change Maker Coaches
These Change Maker Coaches will serve as guidance groups to be available to the above Accelerators. These teams are an opportunity not only to share best practices and personal experience but also to foster interpersonal connections.
Inaugural Cohort and Representatives
Accelerating Change
Inaugural Change Maker Accelerators committed to tracking implementation of the National Plan at their institutions. The Collaborative intends to spotlight the work of these organizations to inspire others to operationalize the National Plan and accelerate collective efforts toward well-being.
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education | Bethanie Alden, MPA
The ACGME is a private, non-profit, professional organization responsible for the accreditation of more than 13,066 residency and fellowship programs and the approximately 886 institutions that sponsor these programs in the United States. Residency and fellowship programs educate approximately 158,079 resident and fellow physicians in 182 specialties and subspecialties. The ACGME’s mission is to improve health care and population health by assessing and advancing the quality of resident physicians’ education through accreditation.
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine | Mark Speicher, PhD, MA; Patricia Delaney, MEd, CPA
The American Association of Colleges and Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) is the leading voice for the education of physicians practicing osteopathic medicine across the US. We support colleges of osteopathic medicine in their efforts to train future physicians fueled by a desire to make a difference, to treat the whole person and build a future of health and wellness for all people.
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy | Sarah Shrader, PharmD
AACP recognizes a special responsibility to provide leadership in advancing and enhancing the quality of education and training in its member institutions while respecting the diversity inherent among them. The association includes institutional members – the 142 schools of pharmacy accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education – and individual members, including administrators, faculty and staff. We represent more than 6,400 faculty, 62,500 students enrolled in professional programs and 5,100 individuals pursuing graduate study.
American College of Physicians | Cynthia (Daisy) Smith, MD; Crissy Walters, MSOD
As you work towards transforming your clinical environments to nurture well-being, ACP is committed to supporting you every step of the way. Connect with a wealth of resources and programs to help you, your teams, and your organizations flourish and achieve your goals.
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists | Kayla Waldron, PharmD, MS, BCPS, FASHP; Anna Legreid Dopp, PharmD, CPHQ
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) is the collective voice of pharmacists who serve as patient care providers in hospitals, health systems, ambulatory clinics, and other health care settings spanning the full spectrum of medication use. The organization’s members include pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians. ASHP works to improve medication use and enhance patient safety.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center | Richard Riggs, MD; Manisha Chaudhary, MBA
Cedars-Sinai physician wellness is a core organizational strategy that enhances the culture of wellness and finds systematic solutions to help physicians thrive. Key to this is the executive steering committee which establishes strategy, assesses progress, allocates resources, and creates a culture of wellness for physicians at the health system.
CommonSpirit Health | Lesly Kelly, PhD, RN, FAAN; Stacey Clough, MHS
Foundational to CommonSpirit Health® is our belief that compassion, kindness, and empathy are critical to the healing of body, mind, and spirit. That notion is at the heart of our care and our culture. Through programs, culture and leadership our goal is to support employees throughout their well-being journey and reinforces a simple message: be kind to yourself.
Emory Healthcare | Evan Lee Thoman, PhD, PMP, CWP
Froedtert and Medical College of Wisconsin | Alicia Pilarski, DO; Rachel Trower
The Medical College of Wisconsin is a Health Science University focused on 4 missions of health education, research, community engagement and clinical care.
Kedren Community Health Center | Jerry Abraham, MD, MPH, CM
KEDREN, acute psychiatric hospital / FQHC / out-pt mental health services / Historically Black Institution / teaching hospital for Charles Drew University CDU a Historically Black Medical School HBMS (Photo Caption: KEDREN Mobile Street Medicine Team at work vaccinating in the community of South Los Angeles.)
MD Anderson Cancer Center | Dr. Jennifer Bickel; Dr. Carin Hagberg; Shibu Varghese; Lindsey Wohlford
Michigan Medicine | Elizabeth Harry, MD; Shelagh Saenz, LPC
Ochsner Health | Nigel Girgrah, MD; Molly Richard
The Office of Professional Well-Being (OPW) at Ochsner Health was created in 2019 to address the well-being of Ochsner’s workforce. Our goal is to develop evidence-based solutions aimed at improving the well-being and engagement of clinical and corporate teams across the state. OPW is determined to help our workforce and employees find the resources they need to avoid disengagement, reclaim joy and find harmony.
Ohio Health | Laurie Hommema, MD, FAAFP; Kristi McClure, MSN, RN
OhioHealth is a not-for-profit, charitable, outreach of the United Methodist Church, recognized 6 times as one of the top five large health systems in America by IBM Watson Health™. OhioHealth serves over half of Ohio’s counties with 35,000 associates, physicians and volunteers, 14 hospitals, 200+ ambulatory sites including hospice.
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center | Laxmi Mehta, MD
The Ohio State University is a large Mid-west public land grant university with one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and 7 health sciences colleges. Our vision is to be a model university and health system that prioritizes well-being and promotes professional and personal fulfillment for all faculty, employees and learners. (Photo Caption: The Gabbe Health & Well-Being Wellness Cart makes the rounds to offer brief activities, snacks and resources to help employees take short breaks focused on well-being.)
Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, University Health Network | Barry Rubin, MD, PhD, FACS, FRCSC
The Peter Munk Cardiac Centre (PMCC) is part of Canada’s largest academic hospital, University Health Network, providing state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary, digitally enabled personalized care for patients with heart and vascular disease in Canada and around the world. The PMCC is committed to fostering a positive, fulfilling, and mutually respectful workplace. We promote joy in work by focusing on the well-being of our staff and patients, leading to better patient outcomes.
Southern California Permanente Medical Group | Ruben Sanchez, MD; Debbie Newman, MA, LMFT
The work of SCPMG’s Physician Wellness and Peer Support teams are to acknowledge, embrace, understand, and act to engage our organization to operationalize evidence-based strategies to optimize systems and mitigate work-related drivers of burnout and, by advocating for the physician experience, enable our physicians to enhance the patient experience.
University of California San Diego Health | Habib Sabbagh, MHA
UC San Diego Health (UCSDH) is a two-hospital academic medical center in San Diego, California. In 2022, UCSDH funded and formally established a Physician Wellness Office. UCSDH was ranked as the #1 hospital in San Diego and placed within the top 22 nationwide “Best Hospitals Honor Roll” by US News & World Report in 2023.
University of Kansas Medical Center | Richard Korentager, MD, FACS; Jennifer Keeton, EdD
The University of Kansas Medical Center includes schools of medicine, nursing and health professions along with an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, an NIH-designated Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, and a national Clinical and Translational Science Award consortium. We partner with the University of Kansas Health system, a separate entity, to advance the well-being of our campus community. (Photo Caption: Executive Vice Chancellor Robert Simari, MD, delivered opening remarks at the inaugural, campus-wide Well-being conference at the University of Kansas Medical Center, March 2023.)
University of Nebraska Medical Center | Stephen P. Wengel, MD
The Wellness office at UNMC provides consultation to individuals and groups on a wide variety of issues, including recognition and management of clinician burnout, common mental health issues, and personal resilience strategies.
University of New Mexico School of Medicine | Cori Poffenberger, MD
University of New Mexico’s Office of Professional Wellbeing team provides well-being programming, advocacy, and direct clinical services to our students, residents/fellows and faculty.
University of North Carolina Health and University of North Carolina School of Medicine | Nadia Charguia, MD; Jenny Tauber, RN, MHA
UNC Health and the University of North Carolina School of Medicine is an integrated health care system owned by the state of North Carolina and based in Chapel Hill. Known as “North Carolina’s Health Care System,” UNC Health provides care to patients in all of the state’s 100 counties through its 11 hospitals, 13 hospital campuses, and hundreds of clinical practices.
University of Utah Health | Amy Locke, MD; Mindy Vanderloo, PhD
The Osher Center for Integrative Health and the Resiliency Center of the University of Utah is made up of a group of experts in human flourishing, individual and organizational change. We guide the University in optimizing personal and professional well-being of our populations, including our employees, patients and communities. As an organization we focus on the culture of medicine and building systems for thriving.
