UHG Enterprise Physician Experience Council Overview
Q1 2025 Newsletter
The UnitedHealth Group Physician Experience Council exists to represent the collective voice of employed UHG physicians and to facilitate the development of an invigorated, distinctive UHG health workforce. We are excited to provide quarterly updates for our UHG clinicians!
Representing all business areas with a significant presence of M2, M3, and M4 physicians, this body will connect UHG physician communities, creating a network that will reduce professional and operational silos; promote cross-business collaboration and innovation; and foster a UHG physician culture that is fulfilling and sustainable, independent of role, title, and aspiration.
President's Corner: Ivy Smith Coleman
Hello to all my UHG physician colleagues! Welcome to our Q1 2025 Physician Executive Council Newsletter.
I want to thank you all for your compassion and collaboration as we provide support for the enterprise. Across UnitedHealth Group your innovation and ability to problem solve has helped position the organization for a successful year.
In this quarter’s newsletter, you’ll find a summation of the topics addressed at the Physician Experience Council meetings this year to date, learn about how UHC Community & State is highlighting physicians, and get an update on mentoring from one of our own Sr. Medical Directors within Optum. Additionally, “Off the Chart” continues with features of our physicians and the excellent work they are involved in.
Remember that the council remains committed to supporting our clinicians and pursing excellence in all we do for the company and our communities. I hope you all have had a great start to 2025 and look forward to an amazing year ahead.
Off the Chart
Welcome to Off the Chart, where we introduce you to UHG’s nationwide family of dedicated physicians by highlighting their human side. Our goal is to highlighting some of our valued physicians from across the enterprise. On the chart for this installment are:
Clinician Wellness Continues to be Prioritized in Optum NY/NJ/East Region
In February, Dr. Nick Batson, Regional Medical Director at Optum, presented on the Clinician Wellness initiatives being driven in the Optum NY/NJ/East Region. Dr. Batson and the leadership team cite system and organizational factors, individual and interpersonal factors, and job-related factors as drivers of wellness. The 2025 strategic focus areas for Optum NY/NJ include: clinical differentiation, practice optimization, and culture.
A noted best practice that should be considered for scaling is the creation of a regional office of Clinical Wellness and a supporting Clinical Wellness Council, which collectively are striving to improve burnout, work stress, retention, and a sense of purpose and belonging amongst the providers.
If you and/or your local colleagues have some interest in establishing similar efforts or sharing best practices in 2025, please send inquiries to Dr. Nick Batson at nbatson@CrystalRunHealthCare.com.
Recommendations for Mentorship Standardization and Excellence
By Dr. Paul Solomon, Sr. Medical Director, Optum Enterprise Clinical Services
In the dynamic field of medicine mentorship plays a pivotal role in shaping the careers of emerging physician leaders. Recognizing the diverse experiences, interests, motivations, and time commitments of mentors, the development of a structured Mentorship Manual has become essential to ensure consistent and high-quality guidance for all mentees.
In 2016, as a Senior National Medical Director for Care Management in Optum Health, I had the privilege of serving as a mentor for the Physician Leadership Development Program. In this role, a group of mentees were assigned. A structured approach was adopted to their mentee experience. Remarkably, the feedback from the group was that other teams were not sharing the same sort of valuable experiences, nor, in some cases, getting the needed time and attention from their mentors.
Understanding Mentor Diversity
Physician mentors come from varied backgrounds. This diversity enriches the learning environment but can also lead to inconsistencies in mentee experiences. Factors contributing to this variability include:
- Professional Backgrounds: Mentors may specialize in different medical fields, influencing their approach to mentorship.
- Personal Interests: Individual passions can shape the topics emphasized during mentorship.
- Motivations: The reasons for engaging in mentorship can vary, affecting the depth and style of guidance.
- Time Availability: Varying schedules can impact the amount of time mentors can dedicate to their mentees.
The Rationale for a Mentorship Manual
To harness the strengths of mentor diversity while minimizing inconsistencies, a structured Mentorship Manual serves as a valuable tool. For instance, while functioning as Chairman of the Department of Family Practice and Residency Director at John Peter Smith Hospital, our leadership team developed a comprehensive guide to support residents with a core curriculum, which helped mentors and mentees in building effective relationships and accomplishing a consistent learning experience. Based on this experience, the PLDP Mentor Guide was developed.
Key Components of the Mentorship Manual
The manual is designed to provide mentors with a cohesive framework for the benefit of their mentee, including:
- Review of Core Topics: Essential subjects that ensure all mentees receive foundational knowledge.
Access to Curated Resources: A collection of articles, case studies, and best practices to support learning objectives.
- Interactive Links: Access to online platforms and tools that facilitate further self-study, personal exploration and heightened engagement.
- Suggested Exercises: Practical activities and reflections to reinforce learning and professional development.
Conclusion
The creation of a Mentorship Manual addresses the challenges posed by the inherent diversity among physician mentors. By providing a structured framework, the manual ensures that all mentees receive comprehensive and consistent guidance, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of mentorship programs. As the medical field continues to evolve, the complexity of demands intensifies, such tools are indispensable in preparing the next generation of competent and compassionate physician leaders within an organization. If you and/or your local colleagues have some interest in learning more about mentoring in 2025, please send inquiries to Dr. Paul Solomon at paul.solomon@optum.com.