South Shore Health Recognized as 2026 Wellbeing First Champion for Supporting Access to Mental Health Care

South Shore Health has been recognized as a 2026 Wellbeing First Champion by ALL IN: Wellbeing First for Healthcare, a national coalition led by the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation dedicated to eliminating barriers that prevent healthcare workers from seeking mental health care.

By earning this designation, South Shore Health has ensured that credential applications are free from intrusive and stigmatizing mental health questions that can discourage healthcare professionals from seeking support. 

As a result, more than 1,400 healthcare professionals across the organization can access mental health care and treatment for substance use disorders without concern that doing so could negatively affect their professional standing.

"At South Shore Health, we believe the well-being of our caregivers is foundational to the care we provide our patients and community," said Jason Tracy, MD, Chief Medical Officer at South Shore Health. "Achieving Wellbeing First Champion status reflects our ongoing commitment to creating an environment where colleagues and providers feel supported in seeking care when they need it." 

"This recognition complements our broader efforts to promote workforce well-being, including our national AMA Joy in Medicine recognition, robust Employee Assistance Program, peer support resources, and other initiatives designed to help our clinicians and colleagues thrive personally and professionally," Dr. Tracy added.

The designation reinforces South Shore Health's commitment to fostering a culture where seeking mental health support is viewed as a sign of strength, not a barrier to career advancement. 

The organization continues to invest in programs that support the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of its workforce, including confidential counseling through its Employee Assistance Program (EAP), peer support services, wellness education, resilience-building programs, and provider-focused initiatives aimed at reducing burnout and promoting professional fulfillment. 

These efforts contributed to South Shore Health earning Bronze-level recognition in the American Medical Association's Joy in Medicine® program in 2025 for its commitment to advancing provider well-being and reducing burnout.

"Every health worker is a human being who carries the immense weight of caring for others. For too long, our caregivers have suffered in silence, fearing that seeking the confidential mental health care they need would cost them the career they love," said Corey Feist, CEO and Co-Founder of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation. "South Shore Health is helping break that silence by sending a powerful message that the health and well-being of its workforce matters, and that no one should ever have to choose between seeking care and pursuing the profession they love."