Press Release
HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY PRIORITIZES MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR 1.4 MILLION LICENSED AND 274,000 CREDENTIALED HEALTH WORKERS
Licensure Boards, Hospitals and Health Systems Remove Intrusive Mental Health Questions and Stigmatizing Language to Become Wellbeing First Champions
The coalition’s Wellbeing First Champion Challenge program has verified that 50 licensure boards and 635 hospitals have eliminated intrusive mental health questions and stigmatizing language from their licensing or credentialing applications as of May 22, 2025 — benefiting nearly 1.4 million licensed health workers and 274,000 credentialed health workers, respectively.
Wellbeing First Champions for Licensing
- 7 pharmacy boards (including Alaska, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, New Hampshire, North Dakota and Ohio) have earned recognition as Wellbeing First Champions, benefiting over 125,000 pharmacy professionals and representing an increase of 133% from 3 pharmacy boards in February 2025.
- 37 state medical boards (including new recognition of the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine and Pennsylvania State Board of Osteopathic Medicine) are recognized as Wellbeing First Champions — supporting more than 880,000 physicians.
- Additionally, 1 state dental board (Texas) and 5 state nursing boards (Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma) are Wellbeing First Champions — benefiting about 28,000 dental professionals and more than 350,000 nurses, respectively.
Wellbeing First Champions for Credentialing
- 635 hospitals — representing approximately 10% of the nearly 6,100 hospitals across the country — are recognized as Wellbeing First Champions, reaching across 38 states and the District of Columbia and marking a 15% increase in the last three months (up from 521 in February 2025).
- Jackson and Coker Locum Tenens, Envision Healthcare, Vituity and LocumTenens.com also verified their internal applications and forms, benefiting 37,300 health workers.
- In addition, two insurance companies (PacificSource Health Plans and Providence Health Plan) are recognized as Wellbeing First Champions, supporting more than 52,000 health workers.
“A healthy workforce is essential for safe, compassionate patient care, but too many health workers suffer in silence, facing unique mental health challenges and mounting burnout that fuel workforce shortages across the entire healthcare system,” said Corey Feist, co-founder and CEO of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation. “By adopting practices that minimize stigma and encourage workers to seek the help they need, healthcare organizations can improve outcomes for both health workers and patients. This progress reflects a growing understanding that those who care for others have the right to care for themselves — without risking their careers.”
The coalition urges licensure boards, hospitals, health systems and insurers to use its licensing and credentialing toolkits to review and revise their applications and forms. Once verified by the coalition, these organizations are recognized as Wellbeing First Champions — joining a growing national movement to support health workers’ access to mental healthcare.
“The American Medical Association (AMA) is proud to work alongside the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation to help more hospitals and health systems take meaningful action to support the mental health of physicians and other healthcare professionals,” said Bruce A. Scott, MD, president of the AMA. “Addressing the root causes of burnout and removing barriers to care are essential to maintaining a healthy workforce and strengthening the entire healthcare system. We applaud the organizations that have already made these important changes, and we urge all licensing boards and hospitals to eliminate stigmatizing questions from licensing and credentialing forms. Prioritizing the wellbeing of our nation’s healthcare workforce must be recognized as a fundamental part of delivering high-quality care to patients.”
“The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) is delighted to be a member of the ALL IN: Wellbeing First for Healthcare, national coalition,” said Jan Setnor, MSN, CRNA, Col. (Ret), USAFR, NC, president of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA). “We are thrilled by the significant strides made across the country to support the health and wellbeing of our healthcare workforce. While we are encouraged by this progress, we recognize there is still more to do. To deliver quality, compassionate healthcare, it is critical that we have a healthy and supported healthcare workforce. AANA will continue to support initiatives that prioritize the health and wellbeing of healthcare workers, and the patients they serve.”
“Emergency physicians dedicate themselves to saving others, but policies must change so that we can prioritize our own health, too,” said Alison Haddock, MD, FACEP, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). “The ALL IN coalition’s progress in eliminating intrusive mental health questions is crucial to reducing barriers and stigma that physicians too often experience when seeking mental health support. ACEP is proud to work to secure a future where no physician has to think twice about seeking the mental healthcare they need and deserve.”
“Caring for others, whether as a direct caregiver or a leader caring for teams, is highly rewarding yet comes with challenges,” said Claire M. Zangerle, DNP, R.N., senior vice president and chief nurse executive of the AHA and CEO of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership. “One of those challenges may be caring for ourselves, especially our mental health. Reducing the shame of seeking assistance from fear of having to reveal that request as a licensed or credentialed professional is a positive step toward fortifying a healthy workforce. Embracing language and practices that invite caregivers to care for their mental health can only result in better outcomes for those we serve, and ourselves.”
“Nurses must be able to prioritize their mental health without fear of professional repercussions. The American Nurses Association is proud to stand with the ALL IN: Wellbeing First for Healthcare coalition to eliminate outdated, stigmatizing barriers that prevent nurses from seeking the support they deserve,” said Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, president of the American Nurses Association. “This progress affirms our shared commitment to creating a culture of care — not just for the patients we serve, but for every nurse and health worker who makes healing possible.”
“Healthcare is — and will always be — a uniquely human experience,” said Chris DeRienzo, M.D., AHA chief physician executive. “That’s as true for the people providing the care as it is for those who receive it. Today’s milestone marks a profound step forward in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our entire healthcare workforce.”
“Emergency nurses and their peers give so much of themselves to help others, but have neglected their own health and wellbeing for far too long out of fear that showing vulnerability or seeking help could cost them their jobs,” said Ryan Oglesby, PhD, MHA, RN, CEN, CFRN, NEA-BC, president of Emergency Nurses Association. “ENA applauds the licensing bodies and hospitals that stepped up as part of the Wellbeing First Champions Challenge to reverse stigmas within healthcare by eliminating intrusive mental health questions and acknowledging the greater need to support healthcare workers struggling with stress, fatigue and burnout.”
“Physician wellbeing is essential for patient safety. FSMB is pleased to see the important work being done by our member boards to support their licensees in providing quality care,” said George M. Abraham, MD, MPH, chair of Federation of State Medical Boards.
“Physician Health Programs are a lifeline—not only restoring the wellbeing of our colleagues but strengthening the entire healthcare system. Learn more or find your state’s Physician Health Program: https://www.fsphp.org/state-programs-directory,” said Michael Baron, MD, MPH, DFASAM, FAPA, president of Federation of State Physician Health Programs.
“FemInEM is a proud coalition member of the Dr. Lorna Breen Foundation’s ALL IN: Wellbeing First for Healthcare. Having had the privilege to work directly with Dr. Breen, this Foundation’s work has a special place in our hearts. The ALL IN coalition’s important work will help transform the face and hearts of the national healthcare workforce,” said Jenny Castillo Cato, MD, FACEP, co-director of wellbeing and workplace strategies of FemInEM. “FemInEM’s work complements ALL IN by equipping emergency medicine professionals — the discipline Dr. Breen served — with tools, community and resources while supporting the careers of women. Thank you to the Foundation for supporting the healthcare workforce, and we at FemInEM look forward to years of collaboration.”
“It’s inspiring to see so many licensure boards, hospitals and health systems join the movement to help protect the safety and wellbeing of care team members,” said Liz Boehm, executive strategist of Heart of Safety Coalition and Stryker. “The Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation and its ALL IN coalition continue to be a positive force, and I’m proud to be part of this coalition to help champion this change.”
“Medicine Forward cares deeply about the wellbeing of healthcare workers, and about catalyzing positive change so patient physician relationships can flourish,” said Kim Downey, community ambassador of Medicine Forward. “We join the Foundation in supporting and advocating for healthcare workers to have access to the confidential mental healthcare they need!”
“We at Moral Injury of Healthcare applaud the licensing boards and hospitals that have been early partners with the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation in reducing health workers’ risk of seeking care,” said Wendy Dean, MD, co-founder of Moral Injury of Healthcare. “We look forward to many more organizations joining this movement in the coming year.”
“In May, during our 121st Annual Meeting, we were excited to welcome the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation as they presented Wellbeing First Champions badges to seven of our member boards of pharmacy,” said Lemrey “Al” Carter, PharmD, MS, RPH, executive director and secretary of National Association of Boards of Pharmacy®. “To serve patients and protect public health, it is imperative that healthcare workers feel empowered to seek help without fearing repercussions from their licensing boards. We commend the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation for their efforts to remove barriers that can prevent pharmacy professionals from seeking mental healthcare, and we look forward to seeing more boards of pharmacy receive their badges over the coming months.”
“As we conclude Mental Health Awareness Month, we continue to recognize the urgent need to support the mental health of our dedicated healthcare workforce,” said Marlon Garzo Saria, PhD, RN, FADLN, FAAN, president of the Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc. (PNAA). “Our nurses and health professionals face unique challenges and pressures that can impact their mental wellbeing. By eliminating stigmatizing language and intrusive questions from licensing and credentialing processes, we affirm their right to seek help and prioritize their mental health without fear. PNAA proudly supports this initiative, as it represents a vital step in fostering a supportive environment where health workers can thrive and provide exceptional care to their patients. Together, we call on healthcare organizations nationwide to join this movement, ensuring that those who care for others are equally cared for in return.”
“As part of the ALL IN coalition, The Physicians Foundation is proud to see the important progress made across the nation to protect our healthcare workforce’s wellbeing,” said Gary Price, MD, president of The Physicians Foundation. “As physicians, our ability to care for others depends on our own wellbeing and the support of a system that recognizes the importance of mental health. By reducing barriers to seeking mental healthcare, we are not only supporting the wellbeing of health workers but also strengthening the foundation of patient care. When health workers feel safe to seek help without fear of professional repercussions, everyone benefits — most importantly, our patients.”
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About ALL IN: Wellbeing First for Healthcare
ALL IN: Wellbeing First for Healthcare, led by the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, is a coalition of national organizations dedicated to advancing a state where the healthcare workforce’s wellbeing is prioritized, and health workers feel valued and supported so they can sustain their sense of purpose and meaning in their work. Coalition members include American Association of Colleges of Nursing, American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Dental Association, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, AHIP, American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, American Nurses Association, American Nurses Foundation, American Psychiatric Association Foundation, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, CAA Foundation, CHARM, Emergency Nurses Association, Federation of State Physician Health Programs, FemInEM, FIGS, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Heart of Safety Coalition, Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Johnson & Johnson Foundation, Medicine Forward, Moral Injury of Healthcare, National Black Nurses Association, National Medical Association, Organizational Wellbeing Solutions, Philippine Nurses Association of America, The Physicians Foundation, the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare and Thrive Global.