Physician Well-Being
Your time as a student, resident, or fellow can be the most rewarding yet challenging time in life. The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine - Chattanooga recognizes the relationship between physician mental and physical well-being and patient service. We promote a variety of resources and campus activities that can be used to help maintain your well-being by lowering your stress, identifying problem areas, avoiding burnout, and learning how to achieve a healthy work-life balance.
Our institution provides a full-time, onsite Counselor supporting our Graduate & Undergraduate Medical Education programs, available at no cost to students, residents, fellows, and faculty/administrative staff. Services include private counseling as well as group didactics and coaching meetings. Zoom and offsite private sessions are also available if needed. Availability Mon - Fri, 8:30 am - 5 pm, contact for flex hours.
Lucy White, MEd, LPC-MHSP, Counselor
Educational & Behavioral Counseling Services
Counseling Phone 423.778.9420
Counseling Office Location Whitehall Building, Suite 516
In addition, our campus offers access to similar services (in-person, via phone, and/or Zoom) through LifeBridge Chattanoogasponsored by the UTHSC College of Medicine- Chattanooga and the local Chattanooga - Hamilton County Medical Society. Costs are supported by grants and donations to the medical society and there are no charges or insurance filings for those utilizing the services. Available for all students, residents, fellows, and faculty/administrative staff.
Key GME Well-Being Policies
GME Institutional Policy on Well-Being
Resident Support Services Policy
Physician Health Support Policy
Our Physician Health Support Policy works in cooperation with the Tennessee Medical Foundation (TMF) Physician Health Program to outline a process through which we can provide an opportunity for treatment and counseling for impaired Residents and Fellows.
Resident and Fellow Employee Assistance Program (OPTUM EWS)
The University also provides access to a web and phone-based UTHSC GME Employee Assistance
Program (EAP) for residents and fellows through the OTPUM Emotional Well-Being Solutions (EWS). This confidential program and its benefits are provided at no additional cost to
each resident and fellow. Review an overview about the program and links to information.
Residents and fellows are provided at least 3 in-person counseling sessions and additional virtual sessions for each issue or problem at no cost to our trainees.
Services can be requested by phone at 866.374.6061 or online using the access code "UTGME".
Services also include assistance for issues that create difficulty in achieving work-life balance, such as
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- Financial Well-Being and Coaching
- A Money Coach powered by My Secure Advantage
- Identity Theft and Fraud Resolution
- A Personal OPTUM Assistant to find solutions for a multitude of issues
- Virtual Counseling outside your insurance
- TalkSpace, available 24/7 – no appointments necessary
- Online access to Critical Support when you need it for unexpected and traumatic events through www.optumwellbeing.com.
University-paid faculty and administrative staff have access to a similar Employee Assistance Program (EAP) administered by OPTUM.
Faculty who have benefits through Erlanger instead of the University have availability of an Erlanger Employee Assistance Program (EAP) administered by AETNA.
Links and Resources
Tennessee Statewide Crisis Line 855-274-7471, or 911.
UT GME Institutional Well-Being Policy
Presentations & Program Well-Being Curriculum
Lifestyle Medicine and Family Medicine Well-Being Curriculum