On March 18, Health Workforce Well-Being Day, ACEP recognizes the importance of protecting emergency physicians’ mental health and well-being. The day also marks the passage of the law honoring emergency physician Dr. Lorna Breen, whose legacy continues to drive national action to support physician wellness.
“Prioritizing physician mental health should not be a luxury in medicine; it is essential to sustaining the people who save lives every day,” said Diana Savitzky, MD, Chair of the ACEP Professional Wellness Section.
ACEP is leading the push for systemic solutions to burnout and mental health challenges in emergency medicine.
- ACEP was a driving force behind the Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, a landmark federal law enacted in 2022 that provided more than $100 million for evidence-based mental health services, suicide prevention training, and physician support programs nationwide.
- In February 2026, ACEP’s advocacy helped secure the law's reauthorization through 2030.
Beyond federal advocacy, ACEP advances physician wellness through education, research, and community-building.
- ACEP’s Professional Wellness Section and Well-Being Committee have developed resources such as the Well Workplace Policy Statement, the Physician Wellness Hub, and peer-support initiatives aimed at improving workplace culture.
- ACEP collaborates with national partners, including the Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation and the ALL IN: Wellbeing First for Healthcare coalition, in leading efforts to reduce stigma for physicians seeking mental health. Together we have successfully fought to remove intrusive mental health questions from licensing and credentialing applications.
On Health Workforce Well-Being Day, ACEP reaffirms its commitment to protecting emergency physicians and strengthening the emergency care system.
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