In recent years, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education’s Physician Well-Being initiative has expanded its commitment to the well-being of physicians. In 2017, ACGME revised the Common Program Requirements for all programs, regardless of specialty, to address well-being more directly and comprehensively. The requirements emphasize that psychological, emotional and physical well-being are critical in the development of a competent, caring and resilient physician.
CAMC has worked to develop a program that defines five areas as key determinants in a person’s overall state of well-being.
- Emotional Well-Being: understanding and managing emotions and related behaviors, coping effectively with stress and burnout; adapting to change and building resilience.
- Social Well-Being: sense of belonging, social inclusion and community; feeling connected in society and nature by acknowledging and emphasizing interdependence and relationships.
- Professional Well-Being: occupational satisfaction and enrichment by contributing unique gifts, skills and talents to tasks that are personally meaningful and rewarding; improving and sustaining work processes that contribute to producing “joy in work.”
- Physical Well-Being: adopting healthful habits while avoiding destructive habits; maintaining a healthy quality of life that promotes accomplishing daily activities without undue fatigue or physical stress.
- Financial Well-Being: developing prudent and responsible financial habits, effectively using tools to manage financial resources, and committing to monetary goals for future needs.
CAMC provides resources for our team members in these areas, along with program-specific resources within different departments or programs. View the information below, or contact the Graduate Medical Education office for information about program-specific resources.
CAMC Resident Mental Health Support Systems
Urgent/Emergency Needs:
CAMC Emergency Departments – Residents experiencing urgent/emergency mental health needs that require immediate attention should be encouraged to use one of CAMC’s emergency rooms available 24/7.
Highland Hospital – Highland Hospital is available 24/7 for urgent/emergency mental health needs that require immediate attention. (While an option for care, Highland Hospital is a private facility not affiliated with CAMC but can provide services in an emergency. Depending on the insurance plan, coverage of services will vary.) Highland is located at 300 56th Street SE, Charleston; or call 304-926-1600.
Urgent/Non-Emergency Needs:
Medallion Psychological Associates/Dr. Susan Walker-Matthews – Located in downtown Charleston at 1206 Virginia Street East, Medallion Psychological Associates is an external resource available for residents/fellows who have an emergent need for psychological support. Residents/fellows may reach out directly to Dr. Susan Walker-Matthews by phone at 681-205-2431 or by email at swm.medallion@gmail.com. Up to three in-person or virtual appointments with Dr. Walker-Matthews will be covered by CAMC at 100%. After three in-person or virtual appointments, residents/fellows will work with Dr. Walker-Matthews to evaluate the next steps.
Psychiatrist On-Call (available 24/7) – Residents experiencing an urgent but non-emergency need may speak to a Psychiatry faculty member when they cannot wait for an appointment. Residents can call CAMC at 304-388-1000 and ask for the Behavioral Medicine faculty member on call. A resident requiring ongoing treatment by a member of CAMC Behavioral Medicine Medical Staff may qualify for financial assistance through the CAMC Courtesy Discount policy (see GME staff for assistance).
CAMC Urgent Care - Cross Lanes – The Urgent Care facility is located in Cross Lanes and requires no appointment. The facility is open 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., seven days a week. To reach Urgent Care, call 304-388-7070.
CAMC Family Resource Center (FRC) – Located on the Women and Children’s Hospital campus, the FRC's trained staff provides assistance with parenting, relationships, loss/crisis, depression, and anxiety, among other issues. In addition to counseling services, the FRC offers parenting/childbirth classes, psychiatric evaluations/medical interventions, community offerings, and support groups. The FRC can be reached for appointments at 304-388-2545.
Ongoing Mental Health Needs:
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Residents can take advantage of Employee Assistance Programs offered through NY Life. Confidential guidance and resources for residents/fellows and members of their immediate household include unlimited and confidential online/phone support 24/7; 3 free in-person sessions with a licensed professional counselor; work/life specialist that can assist with child/elder care, legal questions, identity theft, and financial service; and a licensed counselor that can help with stress, anxiety, depression; relationship issues/divorce; job stress/work conflicts; family/parenting problems; anger; and grief/loss. The EAP program is available by phone at 1-800-344-9752 or online at guidanceresources.com (web ID: NYLGBS)
Blues on Call – Residents may use this 24/7 health care resource, which connects them to a registered nurse health coach prepared to help employees learn about programs and resources available in our area to help address their mental health needs, including stress management and depression. Health coaches help residents find someone to talk to and help track their program through treatment. Blues on Call: 1-888-BLUE-428.
Medical Plan Resources – For residents on the CAMC medical plan, mental health visits, including therapy counseling and office visits, have a $0 copay with no deductible when seeking care within the CAMC/Vandalia Health network, including visits at the Family Resource Center. For inpatient mental health services, residents have a $200 copay but 90% coverage thereafter.
Peer Support – CAMC offers peer support to employees during especially difficult events. The goals are to provide individual or group support to the workforce experiencing secondary trauma, provide support to colleagues in crisis situations, mitigate secondary trauma, provide service with compassion, normalize responses and promote continuation of productive careers. To initiate a confidential peer support process, call 304-388-SAFE and choose option two.
Additional Resources:
Education Counseling (Test-Taking Skills/Time Management/Seep Hygiene): Elise Drake, PhD, a GME Senior Educator, is available for coaching/educational counseling on a variety of topics (such as test-taking strategies and preparation, time management, organizational skills, communication skills and sleep hygiene). Contact Dr. Drake or GME Administrative Director Jennifer Weiss at 304-388-9946 for more information.
Education Counseling (Crisis Intervention/Peer Support/Coaching/Teambuilding) – Contact Denise Burgess, MA, BSN, or GME Administrative Director Jennifer Weiss at 304-388-9946.
Fatigue/Alertness Management – If too tired to drive home, residents can contact C&H Taxi at 304-344-4902 for a free ride home. A ride home and return to CAMC will be directly billed to CAMC. Vouchers are available in all call rooms.
WV Medical Professionals Health Program – 304-933-1030 or visit wvmphp.org
YWCA Charleston Family Resolve Program/Domestic Violence – 304-340-3549 or visit ywcacharleston.org/resolve
WV Foundation for Rape Information & Services – 800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit fris.org
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – 800-662-HELP (4357) or visit samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline
National Domestic Violence Hotline – 800-799-7233
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – 988 or visit 988lifeline.org
All residents are encouraged to seek assistance for any personal problem as quickly as possible through any of these outlined resources. No resident will be denied appropriate counseling or support services because of financial concerns or lack of insurance coverage.
If you have any questions about the services available, please contact Jennifer Weiss, GME Administrative Director, at 304-388-9946.
Charleston offers a wide variety of opportunities to get out with family and friends to enjoy the outdoors, the arts and entertainment or even sporting events. Charleston has been experiencing somewhat of a rebirth in recent years, and residents are likely to continue to see new attractions pop up in our community. To learn more and find out what’s happening in Charleston, check out the websites listed below or follow specific attraction links.
Learn about living in Charleston and West Virginia
What’s happening in Charleston, WV?
Performing arts, visual arts and sciences – The Clay Center
Charleston Dirty Bird Minor League Baseball
Concerts, entertainment, sporting events – Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center
West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture & History
What’s happening at CAMC?
CAMC social activities are offered throughout the year and are open to all employees for participation. For more information, employees should watch their emails for announcements or contact the CAMC Health and Wellness coordinator at 304-388-7593.
- YMCA Corporate Cup
- CAMC Foundation Gala
- CAMC Foundation Golf Tournament
- CAMC Run 4 Your Life
- CAMC Celebration of Hope Walk
CAMC Pastoral Care offers a holistic ministry for spiritual, physical, psychological and emotional needs and ethical concerns. CAMC chaplains assist staff, patients and families utilize spiritual resources to promote health and wellness. Some pastoral care services include staff support, patient/family visitation, crisis intervention, pastoral counseling, bereavement support, and ethical consultations. Each Sunday, an interfaith service is held at General at 10 a.m. in the Medical Rehabilitation Dining Room. A prayer room is on the first floor to the right of the security desk at CAMC General Hospital, on the second floor across from the surgery waiting room at CAMC Memorial Hospital and on the first floor to the left of the main lobby at CAMC Women and Children’s Hospital. To reach a chaplain, dial the hospital operator at “0” internally or dial 304-345-5432 when off-site, and you will be directed to the Chaplain on service.
What volunteer opportunities are in our community?
CAMC Foundation Hospitality House
Ronald McDonald House Charities Southern West Virginia
How can I find spiritual support in the Charleston area?
CAMC is recognized for its commitment to nurturing talent from within and invests significant time and resources into the professional growth and development of its employees. There are many opportunities available for individuals seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge.
House Staff Council
House Staff Council is a quarterly forum hosted by Graduate Medical Education that allows CAMC residents and fellows to communicate and exchange information relevant to their programs and learning and working environments. The House Staff Council in Charleston consists of two residents chosen by each core program and one resident/fellow chosen by each internship, fellowship or combined program. Learn more from the Graduate Medical Education Policies and Procedures.
Continuing Medical Education
CAMC is committed to offering high quality evidence-based and research-based educational and professional improvement activities for physicians. On the Continuing Medical Education CAMNet webpage, residents can find a catalog of archived webinars offered previously. Residents can also explore and register for one of the many conferences or educational activities offered.
Resident conference and research support
CAMC offers all residents the opportunity to participate in a local, regional or national meeting/conference during residency to support personal and professional growth in their field. Learn more from the Graduate Medical Education Policies and Procedures.
CAMC also manages discretionary funds available to help support the travel expenses for residents presenting at regional or national conferences on research conducted at CAMC. Priority is given to papers accepted for oral presentation; however, consideration is given for poster presentations accepted through a competitive review process. For more information, residents can consult their program leadership.
Transition to Practice Lunch & Learn
Graduate Medical Education hosts a Transition to Practice Lunch & Learn series to help prepare graduating residents to successfully navigate the first year out of residency. Announcements of sessions are sent to residents via email.
CAMC University course offerings
CAMC University is committed to providing learning and organizational development solutions for the purposes of building organizational talent. Residents can find a host of professional development courses, computer skills classes and online courses. They can explore CAMC University's extensive library and check out books to learn about accountability, management, effective communication and much more. Employees can visit the site on CAMnet.
Life Support Training and Center for Innovation and Simulation Learning
CAMC’s Life Support Training and Center for Innovation and Simulation Learning offers free or low-cost training for all levels of CPR and AED training in addition to first aid programs and simulation experiences important to residents. Learn more.
CAMC offers numerous programs to help employees achieve a sense of physical well-being. Opportunities offered through MyHealth such as fitness classes, weight management, tobacco cessation assistance, diabetes education, nutritional information and other resources can be found on CAMnet.
Employee Discounts
Explore CAMC employee discounted gym memberships, restaurants, services and products and other offers on the CAMC Pride Card on CAMnet.
Comprehensive Employee Benefits
CAMC employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package that provides flexibility and choice regarding health, finances and family. CAMC offers medical plan options and benefit plans for vision, dental, life insurance, short and long-term disability and voluntary benefits for critical illness, cancer and whole-life insurance. CAMC plans offer many free and low-cost preventative services to help employees monitor their overall health (see plan details for more information).
CAMC employees can take advantage of many low-cost lab tests offered every weekday at CAMC LabWorks locations. Tests offered include but are not limited to, complete blood count, iron, comprehensive metabolic panel, hemoglobin A1C and lipid panel. Visit camc.org/labworks for the most updated list of tests and costs. Additionally, CAMC Employee Health provides employment physicals and immunizations at no cost to the employee.
There are plenty of ways to stay active and eat well in Charleston!
CAMC Federal Credit Union
The CAMC Federal Credit Union can provide employees with a wealth of useful financial information — find out more at camcfcu.com. Its website has links to various financial advisors; provides access to informative financial calculators when considering mortgage, care or other loans; offers employee discounts on things like amusement park tickets; and offers competitive loans. You can also reach the credit union by phone at 304-388-5700 or via email at creditunion@camc.org.
Retirement benefit questions
CAMC Health System offers a 401(k) plan that allows employees to save for their future. Confidential consultations are available for scheduling at 800-642-7131 or at this website.
Hospital discounts
Employees are eligible to receive a PRIDE card, which provides discounts at participating merchants. Visit Human Resources for information or to pick up your PRIDE card.
Residents may be able to receive a financial discount on some of their personal health care costs within the institution. Residents can complete the Professional Courtesy Discount form and potentially receive assistance with some of their health care expenses.
EAP assistance
Residents can take advantage of confidential financial consultations and resources through the Employee Assistance Program offered by EmployeeConnect, including unlimited phone access for legal, financial and work-life issues (e.g., child care, moving, pet care, vacation planning, etc.) and financial consultants. Additional discounts are available through the EAP on network lawyers, estate and will preparations as well. To learn more, contact EmployeeConnect at 1-888-628-4824 or visit guidanceresources.com (username: LFGsupport; password: LFGSupport1).
Employee Emergency Fund
Since 2001, the Employee Emergency Fund has awarded more than $1,857,273 to 2,467 employees and counting. CAMC employees who experience financial hardship during personal emergencies such as: loss of personal items due to theft, flood, fire or other disaster; dangerous living conditions; family bereavement or medical expenses can contact EmployeeEmergencyFund@CAMC.org or visit the Employee Emergency Fund webpage on CAMNet for more information.
American Medical Association
The American Medical Association routinely provides useful financial information, including resources on physician insurance plans, paying for student/medical school loans and starting a medical career. Learn more at ama-assn.org.
