JOINT STATEMENT: Removing Intrusive Mental Health Questions from Hospital Credentialing Applications

Washington, D.C. (May 18, 2023) – J. Corey Feist, JD, MBA, Co-Founder and President of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation; and John Howard, MD, Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, issued the following statement.

JUST LAUNCHED: Speaking Invitation Request Form

Request a member of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation team to come speak at your next event. Whether short keynote remarks, a full day retreat, or anything in between, we look forward to opportunities to share the rights and resources available to protect the mental health and well-being of health workers nationwide.

State-Level Impact through "Caring for the Caregivers" Begins Right Here in Virginia

JANUARY 19 – hear Corey’s testimony, which preceded the unanimous passing of HB 1573 in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This bill will remove invasive mental health questions from licensing applications for ALL licensed healthcare professionals in Virginia.

The Licensing & Credentialing Tool Kit

We have created a Licensing & Credentialing Strategy Tool Kit, which is being embraced by health systems and state medical board across the country. This resource is already changing lives for healthcare workers, but licensure remains unchanged in nearly 2/3 of U.S. states. Change in your local area can start here!

Introducing the #LornaBreenLaw!

March 18, 2022: This Law is not just for Lorna, but for every single health care worker in the United States. To our health care workers and their families: we see you, we hear you, this is for you. The #LornaBreenLaw is a recognition of your tireless work and a response to the overwhelming need to heal our healers.

THE PROBLEM

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers faced elevated rates of burnout, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicide. Now more than ever we must support the well-being of our healthcare workforce.

400

 physicians die by suicide each year.

2x

physicians and nurses die by suicide at 2x the rate of the general population.

200%

burnout has been shown to cause a 200% increase risk in medical errors.

62%

of nurses and 42% of doctors are feeling burned out while battling COVID-19.

It’s critical that we support the mental health of those on the front line of healthcare.

We ask that health care organizations develop real strategies to address the root cause of burnout.

Dr. Lorna Breen

About Lorna

Dr. Lorna Breen was a sister, a daughter, a friend and a physician. She spent her career in practice at New York Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan and became the director of the emergency room at the Allen Hospital in 2008.

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HOW YOU CAN HELP

We are working across the health care industry, with national associations, health systems, and both the state and federal governments to bring resources to clinicians who are desperately in need of help.

Are You In Crisis?

Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or 800-273-8255 or visit their Website.