At UChicago Medicine AdventHealth, caring for patients begins with caring for the people who provide that care. Physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs) from the western suburbs of Chicago gathered at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Ill. for the inaugural UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Physician & APP Well-being Conference, an uplifting day focused on purpose, connection and whole-person care.
Held as part of AdventHealth Clinical Wellness Week 2026, the conference reflected AdventHealth’s commitment to supporting body, mind and spirit and to strengthen the people who extend the healing ministry of Christ every day. The program invited clinicians to pause and reconnect with the reasons they chose medicine.
One participant provided feedback about how the session “Your Mission – Your Why” was especially meaningful, noting that it was fascinating to hear what brought people to medicine. Those stories, the participant said, helped frame current challenges and reaffirmed that healthcare professionals are driven to help people overcome problems and achieve their best health.
Other sessions featured a discussion about finding meaning in medicine, tips about how to improve your well-being with the use of technology and innovation and a nature walk on the Arboretum grounds to focus on mindfulness.
Carlos Martinez, MD, an emergency medicine physician and Bolingbrook Physician & APP Well-being Committee chair, valued the opportunity to connect outside the usual clinical environment.
“Being out in nature and away from the pressures of the hospital and office allowed us to slow down and connect with colleagues in a completely different way,” Dr. Martinez said. “The discussions about resilience and acknowledging our emotions helped me step away from the daily grind of medicine and look at both my professional and personal life from a more wholistic perspective.
“The small-group conversations were especially meaningful. They led to deeper discussions about life, medicine and the challenges we all face. Most importantly, the conference reminded me that we are part of a community and that we are not alone.”
Carla Carpenter, DO, a member of the Hinsdale/La Grange Physician & APP Well-being Committee, also contributed to the event’s focus on intentional reflection and community.
“The retreat hit both those targets well. It was so nice to catch up and get to know them a little better,” Dr. Carpenter said. “One of the key drivers for physician wellness is to lessen the sense of isolation and a retreat with your ‘work friends’ is a strong step in the right direction.”
Heather Hoffman, regional director of Spiritual Integration, said the gathering came at an important time.
“We’ve seen significant changes in our region that makes it even more important to take pause, reflect on our ‘why’ and connect with those who have a shared calling,” Hoffman said.
“This event brought physicians and APPs from across the region together in a beautiful environment with intentional time built in for conversation, movement and the great outdoors to rejuvenate their bodies, minds and spirits.”
Keith Hartenberger is senior manager for external communications for UChicago Medicine AdventHealth.