Dayton Children’s earns gold recognition from AMA’s Joy in Medicine program

Dayton Children's has earned gold recognition in 2025 from the American Medical Association (AMA) as a Joy in Medicine® organization. Dayton Children's commitment to physician wellbeing is reflected in the hospital's physicians achieving the 95th percentile ranking nationally on the 2024 AMA Wellbeing Survey.

This prestigious recognition from the country's leading physician association honors health systems, hospitals and medical groups that prioritize proven methods to reduce burnout and enhance the professional fulfillment of doctors.

What makes this achievement even more special is where it places Dayton Children's on the national stage:

• 1 of only 21 organizations in the country to earn GOLD recognition in 2025
• The only hospital in Ohio to achieve GOLD status (and just one of four hospitals in the state recognized at any level)
• 1 of only 2 children's hospitals nationwide to receive GOLD (alongside Children's Mercy Kansas City)

Abridge technology helping lift the burden
One way the hospital has addressed physician burnout is through the implementation of Abridge, a generative AI platform that supports physicians by documenting clinical conversations in real time.

Dr. Abiodun Omoloja, chief medical informatics officer, explained the difference it has made:

"I've been practicing for close to 30 years as a pediatric nephrologist. Documentation has always been part of the job. But using Abridge made me realize something I didn't fully grasp before: the cognitive burden I was carrying. Suddenly, that weight lifted."

developing and supporting the next generation of physicians
Growing the next generation of physicians is another cornerstone of Dayton Children's commitment to well-being and growth. By supporting medical education, mentorship and clinical efficiency, the hospital is ensuring that current and future physicians thrive in their roles while continuing to provide the best care for kids.

Hospital initiatives include:

• Round table talks for new faculty with a refreshed mentorship program to help new providers grow in their careers and feel at home at Dayton Children's.
• Workshops during Medical Education Week, offering learning from both the hospital's own faculty experts and guest speakers from across the country.
• Peer-to-peer Epic training, helping physicians use the electronic medical record more smoothly and cut down on extra work.

Burnout among U.S. physicians peaked at 62.8% in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to AMA research. Thanks to strides made at the system level, the national physician burnout rate dropped to 45.2% in 2023. While this is progress, physician burnout levels remain significantly higher than among other U.S. workers, making continued efforts essential.

"This recognition is such an honor because it reflects the heart of who we are at Dayton Children's," says Debbie Feldman, president and CEO of Dayton Children's. "When we support the well-being of our physicians and care teams, they are better able to do what they do best-bring healing, comfort and hope to our patients and families."

more about Joy in Medicine
Since its inception in 2019, the AMA Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program has recognized more than 200 organizations across the country. Recognition is valid for two years. In 2025, 109 health organizations nationwide earned recognition for efforts to reduce system-level drivers of burnout and demonstrate competencies in commitment, assessment, leadership, efficiency of practice environment, teamwork and support.