Wellness Resources

Compiled and summarized by Srujan Jonnalagadda (MS-4) and Raahi Chaapla (MS-4), Wellness & Burnout Prevention Co-Chairs, PsychSIGN National Leadership 2025-2026

  • American College of Physicians – Medical Student Well-Being Resources:
    • Articles, podcasts, webinars, and exercises for medical student wellness.
  • AAMC Compiled Wellness Resources:
    •  AAMC Financial Wellness: 
    • Addressing Guilt and Moral Distress by Alicia Hurtado, MD (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai):
    • Healthy Boundary Setting in Order to Maintain Wellness by Alicia Hurtado, MD (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai): 
    • Imposter Experience by Maggie Rea, PhD (University of California, Davis School of Medicine), Elizabeth Lawrence, MD, FACP (University of New Mexico School of Medicine), Michelle Lizotte-Waniewski, MD (Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University):
      • Discusses the imposter experience in the medical field with interactive exercises and provides learners with multiple tools and strategies to implement when dealing with imposter syndrome.
    • Meditation 101 – Simple Practices for Maintaining Wellbeing and Fostering Excellence by Michelle Lizotte-Waniewski, PhD (Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University), Chantal Young, PhD (Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California), Karen Horneffer-Ginter, PhD, Maria Magidenko, BA, Allison Zheng, BS, Melissa Pellman, BS, MS, Daniel Micheli, BS, Adrienne Aardema, BS, Megan Sandberg, BS (Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine): 
      • Provides learners with modest evidence-based research on the utility of mindfulness and its benefits. Exercises to practice mindfulness in daily life are provided.
    • Mental Health and Suicide Awareness by Elizabeth C. Lawrence, MD (University of New Mexico School of Medicine), Michelle Lizotte-Waniewski, PhD (Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University), Margaret Rea, PhD (University of California, Davis School of Medicine): by Elizabeth C. Lawrence, MD (University of New Mexico School of Medicine), Michelle Lizotte-Waniewski, PhD (Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University), Margaret Rea, PhD (University of California, Davis School of Medicine):
      • Highlights mental health and suicide among medical students and addresses stigma and possible barriers to getting mental health help. Strategies for identifying suicide signs, reaching out to individuals in distress, and instilling hope are provided with additional resources.
    • Overcoming Procrastination by Samantha Valasek, OTD, OTR/L (USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy), Kelcie Kadowaki, OTD, OTR/L (USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy): by Samantha Valasek, OTD, OTR/L (USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy), Kelcie Kadowaki, OTD, OTR/L (USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy):
      • Designed to be delivered as a one-time session and facilitated by an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant. The discussion increases learners’ awareness of reasons for procrastination, identifies potential cues, and provides strategies for addressing and overcoming procrastination.
    • Overview of Medical Student Wellness by Michelle Lizotte-Waniewski, MD (Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University), Margaret Rea, PhD (University of California Davis School of Medicine), Elizabeth Lawrence, MD, FACP (University of New Mexico School of Medicine):
      • Helps learners understand the importance of wellness in medical school. Guidelines and strategies are provided on creating a wellness toolkit and routine.
    • Positive Medicine by Jordyn Feingold, MD, MSCR, MAPP, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai:
      • Addresses burnout in the medical model and promotes a deliberate and balanced approach as an alternative for the wellbeing of the learner. Strategies and tools are provided to help the learner make small shifts toward positive medicine for better wellbeing.
    • Religion and Spirituality in Health Care by Rev. Jim Burklo, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California:
      • Elaborates on the religious and spiritual cultural gap between doctors and patients. Tips and strategies on how to address the gap are provided in the resource.
    • Smarter, Not Harder – Optimizing Your Personal Resources by Samantha Valasek, OTD, OTR/L, Marissa Marchioni, OTD, OTR/L (USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy):
      • Designed to be delivered as a one-time session and facilitated by an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant. Strategies for self-care, skills for managing energy, and methods for personalizing time management and goal-setting plans are included. 
    • The Power of Social Connections by Katherine Daly, PhD (University of Central Florida College of Medicine), Heather Rashal, LMHC (University of Central Florida College of Medicine), Chantal Young, PhD (Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California):
      • Describes the science and theories of social connectedness, the physiological benefits of social ties, and barriers to building positive relationships. The resource contains an exercise to help learners mindfully listen to enhance social connections. Additional strategies to foster, encourage, and enhance quality connections in personal life are provided.
    • Medical Student Well-Being Resources Compiled on AMA Website:
    • Medical Student Well-Being Index created by Mayo Clinic:

Other resources: