ROCK SPRINGS — The Medical Staff Services team at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County has once again been recognized as a Wellbeing First Champion, earning its annual recertification for advancing mental health support within the healthcare profession.
Department Director Kerry Downs, Credentialing Clerk Sarah Bailey, Provider Enrollment Clerk Breanna Erickson, and Administrative Assistant Amy Johnson ensure healthcare professionals can seek mental health care without fear of professional consequences. Through their work, they have helped eliminate invasive and stigmatizing mental health language from licensing and credentialing applications, creating a more supportive and compassionate environment for healthcare workers.
“Our physicians and advanced practice providers have tough jobs,” Downs said. “They care for sick people and see difficult situations every day, and that can sometimes take a toll on their mental health.”
Downs wants to ensure they never have to hesitate when they need to seek mental health care, as the medical staff needs to know that they are supported and appreciated.
“Making changes to our credentialing application is just one way we can show them that support,” she said.
The team’s efforts contribute to a nationwide movement that prioritizes the mental well-being of those who care for others.
Through the Wellbeing First Champion Challenge, more than 3.35 million healthcare workers across the country now have safer access to mental health care because organizations have removed unnecessary and stigmatizing mental health questions from licensing and credentialing applications.
Research has shown that overly broad or invasive questions can discourage healthcare professionals from seeking support, increasing the risk of burnout, distress, and even suicide. In many cases, such questions may also conflict with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The team’s commitment to this important work helps foster a culture where healthcare professionals can seek the care they need while continuing to provide exceptional care to their communities.
