Dr. Nick Salter is settling in as the newest doctor at WellSpan Family Medicine-Valley Green, less than a 30-minute drive from where his father, Dr. Ridgley Salter, practices at WellSpan Family Medicine Hayshire.

The father and son pair are excited to share best practices and work together. But if Nick had listened to his dad a few years ago, this story would have a different ending.

About 12 years ago, Dr. Ridgley Salter began to feel the effects of burnout, so much so that he discouraged his son, Nick, against a career in medicine.

“I was engaged in my work, but I was miserable,” says Dr. Ridgley Salter. “I couldn’t see any positive impact I was having. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was experiencing burnout. I knew I was in trouble and needed a change.”

His experience with burnout encouraged him to look for opportunities where he could find more purpose. He found it by helping his coworkers find solutions to work-related frustrations as he became an associate medical director.

“This work has become my passion and helped relieve my burnout,” says Dr. Salter. “My wellbeing partner, Dr. Mike Diller, and I really encourage team members to practice self-care and gratitude, take time to create connections to those who are important to you and pursue your passions.”

Dr. Ridgley Salter has chaired the WellSpan Medical Group Physician and Advanced Practice Providers Well-being Council since 2018. He and Dr. Diller have been co-leading systemwide wellbeing efforts since 2022, earning WellSpan the American Medical Association Joy in Medicine Recognition again this year.

The efforts WellSpan has made to offer different ways for providers and team members to lead their healthiest lives are showing results. In the past year, there has been a 4% improvement in burnout scores across the organization, with more efforts planned to address areas with high burnout rates.

“We’ve learned that improvements in burnout and professional fulfillment can only be obtained by focusing beyond the personal wellbeing factors to work with our leaders and create a culture of wellbeing, while improving work efficiency,” says Dr. Salter.

Regardless of his father’s earlier warnings, Nick recently completed his residency at Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston, South Carolina. The new Dr. Salter says he was drawn to WellSpan because of his positive experience rotating as a fourth-year medical student, as well as the supportive environment his father helped create.

“I really like the culture of WellSpan, especially within the Family Medicine Department,” says the new Dr. Salter. “This drew me in, and now my wife, Cassie, our new baby and I get to call York and WellSpan home.”

Nick will see patients three days a week and teach medical students and residents. He’s excited to follow in his father’s footsteps.

“He’s always inspired me, and now in a teaching role, I have the opportunity to mentor and maybe even inspire others,” says Nick.

“Having a child who also wanted to pursue family medicine specifically is quite an honor,” says Dr. Salter. “We have even more to connect about now. This role really fits his gifts and skill set. Nick is doing what he loves, and for that, I’m grateful. It’s why I love doing well-being work – so physicians like Nick can meet their calling and have a great impact on patients and communities.”