Compassionate Conversations, Positive Cultures: A Collaborative Approach to Professionalism and Civility in Medicine

Unprofessional and uncivil behaviors can quietly erode trust, psychological safety, and collaboration across healthcare organizations. While traditional mechanisms such as peer review and human resources processes play an important role, they are not always designed to address the nuanced, recurring concerns that influence culture over time. This session will highlight the University of Kentucky College of Medicine’s Professionalism and Civility Panel (ProCP), a collaborative partnership among faculty affairs, organizational well-being, and human resources that uses compassionate communication to support learning, accountability, and organizational improvement. Attendees will learn how a coordinated, relationship-centered approach to professionalism can strengthen trust, foster positive workplace cultures, and create opportunities for lasting culture change. Presented by Lisa Williams an advocate for well-being who guides organizations through transformative processes to address systemic causes of burnout and improve professional fulfillment. Dr. Nicole McCoin a Professor of Emergency Medicine and the Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs and Development at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, where she holds the Schwartz Commonwealth Professorship in Physician Leadership.