LIFT: Leadership and Initiatives for Fulfillment and Thriving
Physician and APP well-being is foundational to patient safety, quality of care and access. When our clinicians thrive, our patients do too. LIFT exists to advocate for the needs of HonorHealth Medical Staff members at the leadership level.
What is LIFT?
HonorHealth is committed to enhancing professional fulfillment and well-being for physicians and APPs across the network. LIFT is a steering committee and movement.
Built by physicians, for physicians and APPs LIFT brings together physician and APP leaders from across HonorHealth to advocate for the voice of their colleagues. They champion the culture, resources and support that enhance the clinician experience, including individual well-being, culture and community, professional development and practice efficiency.
LIFT champions
Individual well-being
Confidential support, coaching and resources to sustain you, whatever you're navigating.
- Peer support: Connect securely and confidentially with a trusted physician colleague through our Peer Support portal. Biannual peer support training keeps our network of physician listeners active and prepared.
- Mental health advocacy: We removed invasive mental health questions from credentialing applications, earning recognition as a Wellbeing First Champion by the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation's ALL IN coalition.
- Blue Zones wellness tips: Regular lifestyle and well-being guidance integrated into your work experience.
Professional development
Structured pathways for leadership, mentorship and growth across specialties.
- Professional coaching: Individual coaching is available to all physicians and APPs, with expanded coaching cohorts.
- Physician Leadership Academy: A nine-month leadership development program covering a range of topics, including a well-being curriculum, mentorship with physician leaders and individual coaching.
- Lifestyle medicine: HonorHealth provides 25 physician scholarships annually for American College of Lifestyle Medicine certification.
- Hospitalist Collaborative: Focuses on hospitalist well-being through a two-day colleague coaching event, a quiet space for charting, EMR workflow improvements and a hospitalist toolkit.
Culture and community
Connection and community. Because belonging matters as much as resources.
- Collegiality events: Ongoing events designed around healthy connections such as hiking, cooking demonstrations, purpose workshops, sound baths, financial planning and more.
- Philanthropy and community service: Opportunities to give back and stay connected to the broader community.
Improving the clinician experience
LIFT champions HonorHealth initiatives that reduce administrative burden and improve the clinician experience, including:
- AI-assisted documentation: Through the Clinician Technology Experience Council (CTEC), HonorHealth is implementing tools such as ambient documentation, chart summaries, inbox prioritization and MyChart response assistance. Join CTEC
- GROSS initiative: Getting Rid of Stupid Stuff (GROSS) is an ongoing effort to identify and eliminate daily Epic frustrations, reduce alert fatigue and streamline workflows. Submit an idea to GROSS
LIFT leadership
LIFT is directed by a steering committee of acute care and ambulatory physician leaders dedicated to improving well-being across HonorHealth.
Meet the team heading up each area:
- Tiffany Pankow, MD – Executive sponsor; Vice president and chief of caregiver wellness and patient experience
- Andrew Sheppard, FNP – Director, LIFT for APPs; Senior director, advanced practice providers
- Melanie Patton, MD – Director, peer support; Associate chief medical officer
- John Pope, MD – Physician coaching and leadership academy; Chief medical officer and chief safety officer
- Craig Norquist, MD – Co-chair, CTEC; Chief medical informatics officer
- Amy Axberg, MD – Physician coach; Regional medical director
- Veronica Campbell – Director, physician relations
Get involved
LIFT thrives on your perspective. Whether you serve on a committee, join an advisory group or share feedback, your voice helps shape a healthier, more connected community.
HonorHealth Medical Staff
Get involved with LIFT programs, peer support, committees and more.
Complete the LIFT interest form
Community physicians and APPs
You're welcome to attend LIFT events and community programming.