Industry Insights
The Henry Ford Health Success Story: How the Health System is Combating Physician Burnout and Understaffing
April 11, 2025
Editor’s Note: LigoLab and Medical Laboratory Observer collaborated on a case study that focused on the steps taken by Henry Ford Health to combat two major ongoing problems in our industry: physician burnout and understaffing.
The piece was originally published on December 18, 2023.
Four references were used in the case study. They are listed here:
1. The Causes and Consequences of Pathologist Burnout
3. The We Care Physician Wellness Program
4. The Henry Ford Production System
What follows is an executive summary of the Henry Ford Health case study. You can also click the link below to read the actual case study published by MLO.
MLO Case Study: Henry Ford Health: A Leader in Physician Wellness, Automation, and Process Improvement
Case Study Summary - How Henry Ford Health Tackles Burnout and Staffing Challenges
The Henry Ford Health case study began with a question.
How can the medical laboratory industry handle all-time-high testing volumes while addressing the effects and mental strain growing caseloads and understaffing have on medical laboratory personnel?
The Problem and Healthcare’s Response
Physician burnout and the shortage of qualified medical laboratory technologists have escalated from growing concerns to full-scale industry crises.
A survey by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) highlights the issue, with 71.4% of pathologists reporting they’ve experienced burnout symptoms and nearly 33% saying it’s a current problem. At the same time, the clinical lab industry faces a staggering shortfall of approximately 25,000 medical technologists, a number that continues to decline.
Learn More: Features of Burnout Amongst Pathologists - A Reassessment (includes ASCP survey results)
These challenges are compounded by the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising supply costs, and looming reimbursement cuts, all of which pose serious threats to laboratory operations.
However, despite these pressures, there is reason for optimism. Some healthcare organizations have responded with innovative programs designed to address burnout, combat staffing shortages, and streamline inefficient processes - proving that strategic intervention can help laboratories weather the storm.
On-Demand Webinar: Beat Pathologist Burnout & Combat Staffing Shortages
Highlighting the Work of Henry Ford Health
After establishing the problem, the case study turns its attention to Henry Ford Health, one of the nation’s leading and largest healthcare providers.
The case study features the institution’s wellness program, pathology laboratory automation, and Lean management strategy.
J. Mark M. Tuthill, MD, is the Division Head of Pathology Informatics at Henry Ford Health and a strong voice for pathology informatics and the future of the medical lab.
Tuthill admitted that he’s very concerned about burnout and staffing challenges exacerbated by a lack of appreciation, interest, and compensation - which has slowed the med tech pipeline and is forcing current practitioners to do more with less.
“Look at what pathology labs must do now to hire and retain staff. It goes beyond just bringing in med techs. The main challenge is finding qualified personnel to hire in the first place. ”
J. Mark M. Tuthill, MD
A Physician Wellness Program Provides Needed Support
Tuthill actively participates in his organization’s “We Care Physician Wellness Program,” established by Chief Clinical Wellness Officer Lisa MacLean, MD, in 2017. At that time, a wellness program such as this was uncommon, but according to Tuthill, there was a need for it even back then.
“We were already recognizing signs of physician stress and burnout, plus a lack of availability for individuals who support physician activities. As a leadership group, we realized the need for wellness activities, especially for the professional staff.”
J. Mark M. Tuthill, MD
For MacLean, stepping into a leadership role for the program felt like a natural progression after years of groundwork. Early on, she shaped the program using a proven model from Stanford, which emphasized the need for a systemwide approach to addressing the root causes of burnout within healthcare. She also relied heavily on collaboration and support from her colleagues to bring the vision to life.
“It was important that I approach the role with humility. There were others within the organization who also had a passion for this work, and I needed to harness their energy and add them to my small army of people tasked with preventing and mitigating burnout while also improving overall well-being.”
Lisa MacLean, MD
A Wellness Program Run by Physicians for the Benefit of Physicians
The focus is on promoting healthy coping strategies and helping physicians achieve a sustainable work-life balance that supports high-quality care and personal fulfillment at Henry Ford Health.
“It’s all about creating a happier workforce,” said Tuthill, who emphasized the importance of offering discreet emotional and psychiatric support for those facing stress, anxiety, or depression.
As part of the initiative, the organization has added a health psychologist to provide therapy and brought on two psychiatrists to offer medication support. The program has also successfully advocated for the removal of a credentialing questionnaire item that previously inquired about clinicians’ mental health treatment history, reducing stigma and encouraging more to seek help.
“We strive to break down walls and barriers and open doors so that people who need mental health treatment can easily seek it.”
Lisa MacLean, MD
The Role of Automation in Pathology Informatics
Doing more with less is nothing new for anyone who has worked in a clinical laboratory, but how can these businesses survive and even thrive during today’s uncertain times?
For Tuthill and his colleagues in the pathology lab department, it all starts with automation.
“If we didn't have the automated chemistry line and the automated staining solutions in histology, and if we weren't extensively using barcode technology to drive all of our interactions with these assets, we wouldn't be able to keep the lab running. Without automation, we’d be closing our doors.”
J. Mark M. Tuthill, MD
According to Tuthill, the key is automating processes and eliminating inefficiencies, starting with standardized lab workflows enhanced by the power of lab analytics. He pointed out that some issues are buried deep within operations where only data insights and dedicated effort can uncover and resolve them. He emphasized that addressing these hidden problems is critical as even small inefficiencies can lead to hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual waste if left uncorrected.
Industry Insights: Just-In-Time vs. Batch Processing in the Medical Lab: Examining the Pros and Cons
Henry Ford Health and its Lean Management Philosophy
At Henry Ford Health, a dedication to lean culture and relentless process improvement dates back to 2005. That’s when the medical group’s leadership first integrated the Henry Ford Production System into its lab operations to eliminate wasteful practices through innovation and a focus on the needs of patients.
“There's nothing that information technology likes better than lean quality management because it gets people to use our systems efficiently and consistently, and that allows us to identify defects and resolve them.”
J. Mark M. Tuthill, MD
Tuthill emphasized that the foundation of the production system is employee empowerment, where every team member is encouraged and incentivized to pursue ongoing improvements in their work.
“With our very defined culture, all staff members can take ownership of their roles, identify deficiencies in standardized processes, and work to solve them efficiently.”
J. Mark M. Tuthill, MD
Editor’s Note: Thanks to Mark Tuthill and Lisa MacLean for their contributions and to MLO’s Chief Editor, Christina Wichmann, for managing the project.
Combating Burnout and Understaffing: Where to Learn More
Readers interested in learning more about physician burnout, staffing shortages, and how LIS laboratory information system companies like LigoLab are addressing these challenges can explore the following resources:
LigoLab’s Official Website – Visit the site for case studies, white papers, and blog articles detailing how LigoLab’s unified medical LIS & lab RCM platform supports lab efficiency, automation, and workforce resilience, plus regular updates on how pathology lab software technology, workflow automation, and data-driven insights are helping labs navigate staffing constraints and operational pressures.
Executive War College on Laboratory and Pathology Management – This annual event often features presentations and discussions on workforce challenges and tech-based solutions.
The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) – Provides national data on burnout and workforce trends, plus educational resources for lab professionals.
National Academy of Medicine – Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being – A comprehensive resource for understanding and addressing burnout in healthcare.
Contact a LigoLab Product Specialist – Schedule a conversation to learn how LigoLab’s platform is designed to reduce burnout, streamline workflows, and empower laboratory teams.
