Cheryl O'Malley, MD, Encourages Physicians to Rediscover What Keeps Their HeARTs in Medicine

Cheryl O’Malley, MD, interim vice dean of academic affairs at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, is known as a compassionate, dedicated and creative physician-educator.

Like many academics in medicine, she understands too well the issue of physician burnout, and she is committed to enhancing clinician well-being through systemic improvements, as well as teaching medical students, residents and fellows to nurture their passion for medicine.

When the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) put out a call this winter for artwork that captures expressions of clinician well-being, Dr. O’Malley and Robert Koch, MD, a College of Medicine – Phoenix internal medicine resident, created a way to help members of the college’s Graduate Medical Education programs express how they keep their hearts in their work.

First, Dr. O’Malley invited University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix faculty, residents, fellows and staff to write on a small paper heart a sentiment that describes what keeps their hearts in medicine. The hearts were added to small painted canvases, which were then combined and finished into one large, framed art piece by Dr. O’Malley. Nearly all of the expressions spoke of clinicians’ connections with patients and how they are able to help them through difficult times.

Out of 350 entries, “HeARTS in Medicine” was among 30 chosen to be part of a pop-up exhibit during a meeting of NAM’s Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being and Resilience in Washington D.C on May 2. The piece also will be part of a traveling exhibit of artwork from Expressions of Clinician Well-Being.

In addition, Dr. O’Malley was asked to speak during a panel session with two other artists about the inspiration behind her work.

“These talented artists have added invaluable insights to our work on clinician burnout and well-being,” said Charlee Alexander, director of NAM’s Action Collaborative. “We hope the stories told through these pieces of art will shed light on the joys and challenges experienced by so many and will illustrate not only the serious impact that burnout has, but also the solutions that allow our clinicians to thrive.”

Dr. O’Malley was so inspired by the favorable reaction to the art, she decided to take it one step further, creating HeARTs in Medicine, a website aimed at positive conversations and awareness of the issues around keeping clinicians’ hearts in their work and addressing the epidemic of heartbreak.

The website is meant to complement the institutional and system solutions that NAM and other collaborators are working on, she said.

“We keep our hearts in medicine by being mindful of our needs, breaking down barriers to seeking help, increasing awareness of our needs and resources, nurturing our passions and staying connected with our purpose,” Dr. O’Malley said.

Learn more:

• NAM – Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being and Resilience.
• Expressions of Clinician Well-Being.

*This photo was taken by Robert Koch, MD.