Linda Myerholtz, PhD, current STFM President, speaks about the mental health needs of physicians, residents, and students, and covers relevant topics including needed changes to the licensure process and to the interview questions that are asked during residency recruitment. She discusses a variety of ways that physicians can advocate for change within their states and health systems to the licensure process for medical practitioners. Dr Myerholtz also addresses mental health needs for those in medical education, offering resources and tips for all those who need help right now.

Hosted by Saria Carter Saccocio, MD.

Copyright © Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, 2023

Resources

• Physician Support Line: 1(888)409-0141
• The Emotional PPE Project
• Resources for Reducing Mental Health Stigma for Faculty, Residents, and Students 
• Dr Lorna Breen Foundation Toolkit: Remove Intrusive Mental Health Questions From Licensure and Credentialing Applications
• National Physician Suicide Awareness Day Resources
• AMA Advocates for Support of Physician Mental Health Needs

Linda Myerholtz, PhD:

Linda Myerholtz, PhD, completed her training as a psychologist at Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio and began her career in community mental health, serving individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. In those early years, she developed a practicum program for graduate level psychology interns, cultivating a passion for investing in the training of others. She then transitioned to graduate medical education in 2007 as the Director of Behavioral Science for Mercy Family Residency in Toledo, Ohio. She joined the faculty at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 2014 and is presently an associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine. She facilitates the behavioral health curriculum for residents and has a strong interest in health care professional wellbeing. The primary focus of her work has been to 1) develop and implement integrated behavioral health services in primary care and 2) develop interdisciplinary training programs that foster collaborative learning and build a workforce that can meet the Quadruple Aim.  She is committed to advancing innovative, high quality, and cost-effective models for behavioral health within primary care to promote whole being health in our communities and reduce health care inequities. Dr. Myerholtz also presently serves as the President for the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine and Chair of the Council of Academic Family Medicine.