Pros
The AMA’s mission is a good one, and supporting our tireless physician members is work worth doing. The non-leadership employees are truly some of the best I’ve ever worked with.
Cons
Since the new CEO joined, the workplace culture has deteriorated significantly. What was previously considered a collaborative, mission-driven environment now feels increasingly driven by fear and internal politics. The CEO’s leadership style often relies on pressure and public criticism rather than alignment or support. Employees frequently feel they are being tested rather than trusted, which has contributed to declining morale across teams. There has also been a noticeable increase in turnover, including experienced staff who had been with the organization for many years. The resulting loss of institutional knowledge is beginning to affect team stability and continuity. Several highly capable employees have left within a relatively short period of time, and others are actively considering leaving. There appears to be a pattern of favoritism, where some employees are elevated while others are publicly criticized or sidelined. This dynamic discourages collaboration and creates an environment where employees feel they are competing for approval rather than working together. The return-to-office policy has also been implemented in a way that effectively functions as a forced attrition strategy. Employees who were hired as remote workers are now required to relocate if they want to remain employed. For many, relocating across the country without relocation assistance is not financially feasible, meaning the policy effectively forces employees to choose between leaving their job or uprooting their lives. Work-life balance has also worsened considerably. Expectations have become increasingly demanding, and the overall environment often feels like employees are constantly being evaluated rather than supported in doing their jobs well. Many employees remain deeply committed to the organization’s mission, which makes the current cultural decline especially discouraging. The leadership approach increasingly feels misaligned with the organization’s stated values and the collaborative culture that previously defined the workplace. The current environment is also becoming a topic of concern among employees and within professional networks outside the organization, creating potential reputational risk in recruiting and retention.