Powell Family Announces Gift to Support Tanner Health Employee Wellness

Christopher Powell, MD, a physician with West Georgia Urology, and his family are providing a $100,000 contribution to Tanner Medical Foundation to support mental and physical employee wellness at Tanner Health.

The Powell family's passion about access to mental and physical wellness resources for Tanner employees fueled the donation.

"Burnout rates are at an all-time high, leading to many providers leaving the field," said Dr. Powell. "This reduces patient access and increases the workload on those who remain.

"Like many others, I experienced a period of feeling inadequate and overwhelmed. Exercise and meditation were immensely helpful in combating burnout. Surgery is physically demanding; staying in good shape enables me to perform my best in the operating room. But I've mostly focused on exercise for its mental and emotional benefits - I hope our donation helps other providers fight burnout and be their best selves for their patients and families."

Philanthropy elevates patient access and enhance services at Tanner Health, and each donated dollar stays in our local communities.

"Tanner Medical Foundation supports many facets of Tanner Health's mission as a community-based health system," said Dr. Powell. "I especially value the opportunity to contribute to a local cause that improves the lives of our community members. The foundation's staff have made the donation process easy and rewarding, and I encourage other providers to consider giving locally."

The Powells hope to provide staff with a safe and motivating space to exercise. Through their donation, there will be a renovation of the on-campus gym to reduce barriers, allowing staff to use the facility 24/7 without travelling elsewhere.

"I believe my career has been enhanced by the physical and mental benefits of exercise, and we hope these gifts will enable others to experience the same advantages," said Dr. Powell.

The Powell family is also proud to be involved with Tanner's Remarkable Paws Pet Therapy program. Danielle, Dr. Powell's spouse, serves as a volunteer handler alongside their dog Hosanna, a service dog originally trained to support veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

"We knew we wanted Hosanna to continue providing emotional and physical support to others, so we joined the Remarkable Paws program," said Dr. Powell. "Through our visits, we've witnessed the comfort, love and smiles she brings to patients and staff. Seeing the joy that staff get from just a few minutes of snuggles shows us we're making a positive impact on their day. This brief respite from their daily grind not only lifts their spirits, but also enhances the care they provide to patients and families."

"We are incredibly grateful to the Powell family for generously establishing the Powell Family Wellness Fund and Endowment," said Ben Camp, MD, executive vice president and chief medical officer at Tanner. "Their support will help provide mental and physical wellness resources for staff, enhancing the lives of Tanner employees for years to come. Their donation reflects their dedication to the amazing staff at Tanner Health and enhancing the well-being of our community."

Tanner Medical Foundation appreciates our generous donors and community partners who support Tanner Health's mission to enhance care and increase patient access in our community.

For more about how to support Tanner Medical Foundation and to see how you can make an impact, visit TannerMedicalFoundation.org.

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