Bree Andrews, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, has been named the inaugural Chief Wellness and Vitality Officer for Physicians for the Biological Sciences Division and the University of Chicago Medicine.
The Chief Wellness and Vitality Officer for Physicians is charged with assessing the state of wellness in the organization and implementing programs that will improve ease of practice, collegiality and resilience while addressing burnout and inefficiencies, using state-of-the-art methods, thoughtful approaches, and emerging best practices. This position will report jointly to Kenneth S. Polonsky, MD, Dean and EVP for Medical Affairs and Tom Jackiewicz, UChicago Medicine health system COO and UCMC President, in their respective roles. The activities led by Andrews to promote physician wellness will be supported by both the BSD and UCMC, and it is expected to be a highly collaborative role, with coordination across all departments.
Andrews is a neonatologist who credits her own vitality at UCMC to being able to forge a unique career in a specialized environment. She serves as Director of the Center for Healthy Families and is an expert in the care of graduates of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with complex needs. She is committed to healthy outcomes of underserved infants and advocates for them through the March of Dimes in Chicago, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and Mattea’s Joy.
As a scholar, Andrews uses mobile technology to improve parenting and patient outcomes. Her research is NIH funded, and she serves as the neuro-developmental lead for the Center for the Science of Early Trajectories (SET). She also studies resuscitation at the border of viability using data around shared decision-making and healthcare utilization to inform practice.
Andrews has also mentored many undergraduates, medical students, residents, and fellows in their clinical training and scholarly projects. Her work and practice have been enriched by her experiences in the Bucksbaum Institute, most recently as a senior scholar and faculty for the Clinical Excellence Scholars Track.
