Connecting was the refrain repeated throughout the second annual Physician Well-Being Symposium held on April 30, from connecting the mind to the body, to connecting with support networks, to connecting the organization to the individual.

We often think of well-being as a personal struggle and the theme of this year's symposium, physician burnout, can seem like an internal battle, but it is the community we surround ourselves with that will show us support when we need it. And that's where the presenters of the symposium chose to bring their talks.

Due to budgetary constraints, the symposium was held virtually this year, but "even though we are virtual," said Kelly Holder, PhD, chief well-being officer for the Division of Biology and Medicine, "it cannot stop us from reaching out and connecting with each other."

The Symposium proved to be more than simply a large Zoom call. Presenters engaged attendees with dialogue, music, meditation, and movement.

Dean of Medicine and Biological Sciences, Mukesh Jain, MD, kicked off the afternoon with a message about the importance of finding systemic ways to improve physician well-being. "We are here to advance a shared commitment to address physician burnout and improve well-being through a dual approach: one that strengthens individual resilience while advancing systems-level change," he said.

As host of the event, Dr. Holder reminded attendees that "if there is one take away I would like you to carry, it's the profound importance of connection. As we navigate the complexities of our world and all the uncertainty, it is in connection that we will truly make strides forward."

The symposium's “rapid-fire" presenters—Alaa Elnajjar, MD, MSc., CGP, Jack Beatti MD'29, Lia Antico, PhD; Jaclyn Boozalis, MD; and Kelsey Bogdan, MD'28— covered topics ranging from music therapy to creating a culture of support among medical trainees.

Invited speakers, Darshan Mehta, MD, MPH, assistant professor of medicine and psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and co-director of the newly established Center for Comprehensive Healing at Massachusetts General Hospital and Michael Krasner, MD, FACP, co-director of the Mindful Practice in Medicine Programs at the University of Rochester, spoke on building resilience through community and "deep listening" and the importance of being present, not only as physicians but in the personal lives of clinical health professionals as well.

As a welcome change of pace during the talks, Rachel Balaban, the Medical School's first artist in residence, invited attendees into the calming space of her virtual dance studio and led them in through a kinetic experience of movement and music.

Using the medium to its full potential, each presenter engaged attendees in different ways. Dr. Mehta's talk included a guided meditation, while Dr. Kranser's session included breakout sessions, a guided listening of Miles Davis's "Blue in Green," and even a short comedy sketch from the popular doctor/influencer “Dr. Glaucomflecken”.

A full recording of the symposium is available to students, faculty, and staff with a Brown University login.