Q & A with Sonia Ramamoorthy

What is physician wellness? When did the UC San Diego Physician Wellness Office open?

Physician wellness is a foundational part of delivering great healthcare and building a healthy, sustainable workforce. The idea for a physician wellness program was hatched before the coronavirus pandemic but its formation was accelerated by the impact of the pandemic on healthcare professionals. Life as physicians had completely changed, and many, including our frontline workers, were really overworked. We were able to formally establish the Physician Wellness Office in 2022.

What inspired you apply to be the new Physician Wellness Office director?

I was deeply inspired by Linda Brubaker, M.D., who held this role before me. She led with compassion and purpose, and the initiatives she championed had a meaningful impact — not just across the institution, but for me personally as a physician navigating the challenges of burnout.

When she stepped away, I, like many others, felt a real sense of loss. I’ve been at UC San Diego for many years and care deeply about our physician community, so I stepped in — initially thinking it would be temporary. But the work quickly became a passion, and I was honored to be selected for the permanent role.

What issues does the office address? 

Our work falls into four main areas. The first is mental health and emotional wellbeing. Burnout can significantly affect a physician’s ability to function — not just at work, but also at home and within their community. We aim to provide resources and support that help physicians care for their own mental health so they can continue to care for others.

The second is operational efficiency. Many contributors to burnout stem from inefficient systems or administrative burdens that take time away from patient care. We focus on identifying and addressing these barriers — working with the health system, physician group and departments to improve workflows, reduce unnecessary friction and ultimately enhance job satisfaction.

The third area is professionalism. This includes both situational and chronic issues that can impact team dynamics or the workplace culture. Sometimes it's about helping individuals navigate difficult interactions or communicate more effectively so that their message and their intentions are clearly understood.

The fourth is physician development. We believe in investing in our physicians as people and professionals. That might include leadership training, coaching or skill-building to help individuals grow into the best version of themselves. Supporting our physicians in their development not only improves day-to-day fulfillment but also helps foster long-term sustainability in their careers.

What kinds of interventions has the office has facilitated?

Some of our interventions are quick wins, such as practical changes that immediately ease daily stress, while others are long-term strategies requiring sustained effort and investment. Whether it's providing healthy snacks in physician lounges or redesigning system-wide workflows, each initiative, big or small, is designed to reduce frustrations, restore meaning in our work and support the long-term well-being of our physicians.

How do you know if your interventions are working?

We use both quantitative and qualitative approaches to assess impact. One of our primary tools is a partnership with Chartis, an external firm that helps us conduct detailed surveys across our physician workforce. These surveys help us identify areas of concern, implement targeted interventions and track whether our efforts are making a measurable difference. When we see improvement — when the data trends in the “green” direction — we know we’re on the right path.

But data alone isn’t enough. We also rely heavily on our department wellness directors, who maintain close connections with faculty and provide real-time feedback. These conversations offer invaluable insights into how physicians are feeling, what’s working well and where gaps still exist. Listening to our colleagues directly is just as important as reading the numbers.

What are you currently working on at the Physician Wellness Office?

We recently completed a systemwide physician wellness survey, and I’m currently diving into the results. I’m a big believer in data-driven change — it helps us understand what’s really going on and how we can make things better.

More broadly, I’m energized by the growing recognition of physician wellness as a vital component of healthcare. It’s still a relatively new field, and that opens the door for innovation. Whether it’s addressing structural issues or fixing the small, everyday frustrations that add up over time, our goal is simple: to make our physicians’ lives better. If we can reduce even one source of stress in someone’s day, that’s a meaningful win, and I’m all about that.