Sustaining Joy in Answering the Call
Katallasso Volunteer Reflects on How Mission-Focused Work Alleviates Healthcare ‘Burnout’
Ridge Salter, M.D.
Physician | Katallasso Volunteer
Christ’s admonishment in Matthew 25:40 rings loudly for me as I serve at Katallasso—“‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Of all the work that I do, it’s when I finish my sessions at Katallasso that I feel I’m really answering that Call.
I’m Dr. Ridge Salter, and for 23 years I’ve worked for WellSpan Family Medicine at Hayshire. As a physician liaison, I partner with eleven different family medicine practices, and I also lead our practice’s ‘physician wellbeing’ effort. In essence, it’s my job to figure out how to best take care of other healthcare professionals.
Burnout has been an issue in medicine for a decade—maybe even longer. The pandemic really brought the public’s attention to the importance of the wellbeing of healthcare professionals. We know that it’s tough work, and if our healthcare workers are not well, it is going to be hard for them to take great care of patients.
It’s true that one of the antidotes to burnout is doing something you feel is worthwhile in at least 20% of your job.
I’ve realized during my time as a volunteer physician in the Katallasso clinic that adding my half-day of serving each month at Katallasso has improved my fulfillment in my career overall.
Admittedly, as someone with a consistently packed schedule, it’s easy for me to feel concerned when I see my Katallasso half-day on my calendar. I even sometimes find myself selfishly thinking, “I don’t have time for this.”
Yet, at the end of each of my Katallasso days, when I reflect with my family I find that the best part of my day is always that I served in the clinic. Volunteering my expertise has added so much professional fulfillment, and I know it has been an antidote—and a bit of an immunization—to burnout.
What a joy it is to see repeat patients for check-ups and to form relationships with them. I get to come alongside them with compassion and empathy as they manage their health and point their lives toward wellness. There have been many times where patients have looked me right in the eyes and genuinely told me “thank you for helping me and for being here and walking this journey with me.”
I’m grateful for the supporters whose generosity keep the Katallasso doors open to the uninsured in our community. Your dedication to this mission is not only bringing the love of Christ to “the least of these” but also is providing an opportunity for healthcare professionals like myself to serve and be blessed.