Connection, Belonging, and the Soul of Medicine

Today, we are joined by Dr. Craig Rooney, a counseling psychologist and healthcare leader whose career has focused on supporting the wellbeing of physicians, healthcare professionals, and learners.Dr. Craig Rooney is the inaugural Chief Wellbeing Officer at the University of Rochester Medical Center, where he leads efforts to improve wellbeing across the health system. Drawing on his background in psychotherapy, integrated behavioral health, and clinician support programs, Dr. Rooney brings a unique perspective to the emotional and relational challenges facing healthcare today.In this conversation, Dr. Rooney explores the hidden emotional life of medicine, including perfectionism, grief, burnout, isolation, and the search for meaning in clinical work. He discusses what truly restores clinicians, why wellbeing requires both personal and organizational responsibility, and how healthcare institutions can create environments where both patients and caregivers can thrive.We also cover:The culture of perfectionism and self-sacrifice in medicineGrief, trauma, and emotional labor in clinical practiceBurnout as both an individual and systemic challengeThe importance of connection, vulnerability, and communityInclusion, belonging, and their relationship to wellbeingReconnecting with purpose and creating more humane healthcare systemsLearn from Dr. Rooney's years of experience working alongside physicians and healthcare professionals as he shares insights into what drives burnout, and what helps restore hope, meaning, and humanity in modern medicine.Links:Dr. Craig Rooney LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/s-craig-rooney-phd-8649a219/ University of Rochester Office of Wellbeing: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/office-of-wellbeing/our-team EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/ EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/ Physician Support Line: +1 (888) 409-0141 Physician Support Line Website: https://www.physiciansupportline.com/ Dr. Krasner's Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/ Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/ Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(05:00) Identity & Belonging(06:45) Lessons from Working with Physicians(09:00) Grief & Loss(11:10) Burnout & Trauma(12:10) Isolation & Connection(15:15) Becoming a Wellbeing Leader(16:05) Resilience vs. Systems(20:45) Building Community(21:20) Inclusion & Belonging(23:50) The Both/And Approach(29:55) Purpose & Meaning(32:35) Reasons for Hope(35:00) Concerns for Healthcare's Future(36:10) One Thing to Whisper to Medicine(36:40) Conclusion