Committee Chair Spotlight

Meet Sumru

AADPRT Wellbeing and Burnout Committee Chair Sumru Bilge-Johnson, MD, is the child and adolescent psychiatry training director at Akron Children's Hospital, NEOMED.  We recently caught up with her to find out more about the Wellbeing and Burnout Committee's work and her personal side.

Initiatives/projects your committee is currently working on?
The committee develops virtual nuts and bolts sessions to aid training directors in their role.  We offer consultations to TDs and collect satisfaction information from participants.  We develop workshops focused on skills that will improve TD efficiency and wellbeing.  We also provide input to the ACGME on their efforts to study TD wellbeing.

What is the time commitment to be on this committee?
1 monthly meeting and 1 meeting at the AADPRT Annual Meeting.

What/Who inspired you to be on this committee and why?
Before this committee was established, I was involved with the AADPRT Burnout Task Force from its inauguration. I am passionate about the wellbeing of our trainees, faculty and training directors. At my institution, I have participated in several wellbeing initiatives for our trainees and faculty for several years. I love being involved in supporting the wellbeing of our new TDs as well as our seasoned TDs.

How has this committee helped your own professional development?
I was able to participate in several workshops, collaborate with other committees, and learn more about AADPRT and all it has to offer its members. The previous chair of the committee supported me and all of the members, which helped us to be more involved in scholarly activities.

What has the committee accomplished that you are most proud of?
Being a voice for TDs and trying to make changes that can make a difference in their wellbeing. We have also written a book chapter on training director wellbeing. I'm also proud of our nuts and bolts sessions and all of the committees' workshops.

What advice would you give a new training director?
Please reach out to any of us for support, we never want anyone to feel alone.

If you weren’t a psychiatrist, what career would you choose and why?
I would own a book/art store.

What is a fun fact about you that may surprise people?
I am a scuba diver, I also play the flute, and I love drawing and pastel work.

What is the last book you read?
My grandmother asked me to tell you she's sorry

What is the next place on your travel bucket list?
Vietnam, Cambodia

What activity do you engage in for your own well-being?
I work in my garden, jazzercise, Zumba, dance classes, art related activities or just spending time with friends.

If you’d like to be featured in a future Committee Chair Spotlight post, please complete this form.