When Physicians are in Crisis: Integrating Well-Being into Emergency Response

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When crisis strikes, health care organizations often focus on staffing, logistics, and patient care, while workforce well-being remains parallel rather than integrated. In this AMA STEPS Forward® podcast, Kevin Hopkins, MD, speaks with Ilanit Brook, MD, MA, FAAHPM, Chief Well-Being Officer at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, about how her team embedded well-being leadership directly into the hospital incident command center during the 2025 Southern California wildfires. Drawing on lessons from COVID-19 and large-scale emergency response, Dr. Brook explains why health care workers rarely ask for help, how proactive outreach changes outcomes, and what it takes to hardwire well-being into organizational emergency planning. This conversation is essential listening for health care executives, physician leaders, and well-being professionals working to support clinicians during a crisis.

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Disclaimer

The AMA STEPS Forward® Podcast is for informational purposes only. The content is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication. Mention of a third-party organization, product, or service in the Podcast does not imply and is not intended as a promotion or endorsement by the American Medical Association (AMA). This content is not intended as medical, legal, or consulting advice, or as a substitute for the advice of a physician, attorney, or other professional. The views, opinions, and positions expressed by the speakers are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or positions of the AMA, the individual’s employer, or any affiliated organization. The AMA makes no warranty regarding the accuracy or completeness of any information provided in this Podcast. The materials and information contained herein are provided as-is. No part of this Podcast may be reproduced, stored, transmitted, or distributed in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the AMA.