This week on The Burnout Club, I’m joined by the extraordinary Dr. April Joy Damian, Chief Scientific Officer and Director of the Weitzman Institute, the national research, education, and innovation arm of the Moses/Weitzman Health System. Her leadership reaches more than two million patients across the U.S., and her mission is deeply human: to transform how health systems serve historically underserved communities through evidence-based, compassionate, community-centered care. April brings a rare blend of rigor, heart, and lived experience to the conversation — and she holds nothing back.

In this episode, we explore what happens when innovation meets purpose, how prevention is the missing link in burnout and mental health, and why reconnecting with your “why” may be the most powerful tool you have. April also opens up about the season in her life when burnout brought her to a full stop — and how teaching mindfulness and yoga in El Salvador became a path back to herself. This episode is grounding, expansive, and full of actionable insight for anyone trying to sustain meaningful work without losing themselves in the process.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

• Why innovation brings optimism — and why optimism protects against burnout
• How primary care sits at the center of equity, mental health, public health, and prevention
• A research-based approach to solving big, overwhelming problems without burning out
• The importance of raising your own awareness to spot burnout early
• Why letting others use their gifts actually protects you from burnout
• What “seasons” have to do with resilience and adapting to change
• How food, culture, and curiosity can reconnect you with joy

ABOUT DR. APRIL JOY DAMIAN

Dr. April Joy Damian, PhD, MSc is a mission-driven healthcare leader passionate about transforming how health systems deliver care, advance research, and improve outcomes for historically underserved communities. With a proven track record of shaping national initiatives, building strategic partnerships, and driving large-scale innovation, she brings a powerful blend of vision, operational expertise, and research acumen to the executive table.

As Chief Scientific Officer and Director of the Weitzman Institute, she leads multi-million-dollar projects that bridge cutting-edge research with real-world practice—ensuring evidence-based solutions reach the patients and communities who need them most. Her academic foundation includes a PhD from the Department of Mental Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, a Master's in Medical Sciences from Harvard Medical School, and a BA (Highest Honors, Phi Beta Kappa) in Ethnic Studies from UC Berkeley. April is committed to driving evidence-informed, systems-level change that leaves a lasting impact on health equity nationwide.

Fun fact: Between medical school and beginning her PhD, she became a certified yoga instructor and taught mindfulness and yoga in El Salvador through a United Nations–sponsored mission.

CONNECT WITH DR. APRIL JOY
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/apriljoydamian/
Weitzman Institute: https://www.weitzmaninstitute.org/

If this conversation expanded your thinking or grounded your spirit, please share the episode, leave a review, and subscribe so more people can join us in rewriting burnout from the inside out.

Together, we can build healthier systems, healthier communities, and healthier lives — one conversation at a time. ❤️

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/patrice-bonfiglio/