At the Allegheny County Medical Society (ACMS), physician well-being is a priority, and during National Suicide Awareness Month in September, it is even more important to show our doctors appreciation to help combat burnout. Especially off the heels of an impactful Physician Suicide Awareness Day on September 17.
The emotional and physical demands of medicine, combined with a culture that often rewards resilience and discourages vulnerability, can take a serious toll. Taking steps to care for caregivers is essential to building a healthier healthcare system.
To further support physician well-being and recognize the critical role physicians play in our community, ACMS launched a community-driven “DocTag” initiative called “Love Your Doc” at the beginning of September.
The year-long campaign invites Pittsburgh-area small businesses to demonstrate meaningful support for local physicians. Each month, one participating business will be featured through social media and in-store awareness. The initiative aims to foster a stronger culture of appreciation, connection, and community support for the physicians who care for our region.
The campaign kicked off at Brave Bean Coffee, a small business located in the North Shore and Pitcairn, where patrons are invited to “prescribe” their doctors with appreciation through a wall of prescription pad-themed notes. Beginning in early September, they have received over a dozen RX pad shout-outs from the community. These messages have been shared through social media to create a widespread reach and reduce physician burnout.
Patients can also submit thank-you notes through the “Love Your Doc” Google Form, which will be printed and added to the wall each month.
Last week, in recognition of Physician Suicide Awareness Day (September 17), ACMS invited physicians and their loved ones to The Art of Connection at the Mattress Factory Contemporary Art Museum for an evening of after-hours art, food, and conversation.
Nothing Bundt Cakes, a bakery that frequently honors healthcare workers, supplied the event with over 20 dozen mini bundt cakes, or Bundtinis. The independent Pittsburgh insurance provider, My Preferred Insurance & HomeSolutions, also donated Pirates game tickets to supply doctors with another opportunity to unwind and enjoy life outside of their practice.
ACMS is grateful to each business and physician who contributed to the initiative and event to help make this September an awareness month to remember. Let’s continue working together toward a healthier future for physicians.