JOY

Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings – it is wonderful to hear conversations include these phrases – warms our hearts.?

Bringing joy to others as we start this holiday season is something that we see regularly outside of the work setting. However, being intentional about bringing JOY to the many who show up everyday to provide healing and comfort to the most vulnerable, is something we applaud. Amidst being an undeniably challenging year for the healthcare industry, we have seen organization after organization step up to the challenge and demonstrate its resilience, compassion and commitment.

If you're like us, one of your favorite holiday movies you watch every year is "Elf". When Elf finds his Dad in New York City, he plans out their big first day together, "First, we'll make snow angels for two hours, and then we'll go ice skating and then we'll eat a whole roll of Tollhouse cookie dough as fast as we can, and then, to finish, we'll snuggle." Elf's idea of bringing joy might not work exactly in our settings, however, you'll be impressed by the creative and heartwarming ideas below.??

We are probably two of the top Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO) fan club members and we love to hear what the healthcare industry CHROs are doing to address organizational challenges.?This time we decided to ask some of our fantastic healthcare CHROs what they and their organizations are doing to bring JOY this season.?No surprise we heard some fantastic responses with elements of heartfelt giving, inspiration from big to small in terms of effort – all with a focus on ensuring the workforce is feeling JOY this season and hopefully well beyond.?Below are some of the ideas we wanted to share, thank you to Ane McNeil, Robert Bauer, Debbie Dover and Ekta Vyas for sharing.

The question we asked was simply: "Can you share with us one or two things you and your teams are doing to bring joy to your organization and caregivers this holiday season?"

So as you kick those feet up, cuddle by the fire, and sip on your egg nog this Holiday Season enjoy reading the remarkable things some are doing to bring JOY.

Ane McNeil – CHRO, SVP Trinity Health National Service Area (Lavonia, MI)

12 weeks of Christmas- one of our hospitals began providing a giveaway each week for twelve weeks before Christmas. One week cookies from a local bakery were distributed; t-shirts, etc.

Operation Joy- another one of our hospitals for several weeks organized Operation Joy.?Leaders distributed meals to units on different days and shifts, t-shirts, and other gifts.?

Winter Wonderland Celebration- this is my HR Celebration with my full team across MI, FL and GA.?We ask colleagues to submit a response to the question: what am I most thankful for from this past year? They share stories on the KudoBoard (electronic website). ?We also asked for their favorite holiday photos and organized a video to music. Lastly, we asked them to wear something representing this time of year.?

Today, we will spend 1.5 hours together 130 of us, and begin with a reflection from of our colleagues, I will welcome everyone and recognize birthdays and new hires from Oct- Dec (we have quarterly town halls) and then two virtual games are organized and throughout the celebration I will read some of the KudoBoard messages, we will show the video and the fun part is we have a virtual wheel of fortune with everyone’s name.?We will spin the wheel ten times and I buy 10 gifts to give away.?We have no business talk, it’s all about celebration, enjoying each other’s company.?

Robert Bauer – CHRO, East Tennessee Children's Hospital (Knoxville, TN)

We were invited to participate in the Knoxville Christmas Parade (with other hospitals) to be the honorary Grand Marshals.?We were able to have employees ride on the main float and walk in the parade to the cheers of the crowds.?It was a big lift to employees.?For our holiday meal this year we had the executive team and other senior leaders deliver the meals our sites, set up and provided a party in a box.?They took one location per leader so they had a chance to interact with employees.?This was done on a separate day for the Hospital meal.?We had a similar model with our summer cookout/party, the summer also included games and a dunk tank.

We have also lessened the dress code on the weekends and included jeans where appropriate.

We are trying to make the personal connection when we can as it has been a tough year.

?Debbie Dover – CHRO, Ballad Health System (Johnson City, TN)

Right before Thanksgiving, CEO Alan Levine sends out a Thanksgiving email that is always very moving and meaningful.?This year he announced we were doing a $500 bonus for every team member ($250 for part time) as a thank you for hanging in there during this ongoing process.?We also are giving a $25 gift card to a local grocery store (locations spread across the region) and an entry to the Bristol Motor Speedway in Lights event held all month which would provide a “safe” family event because you drive through.?For those that have to work on Christmas we provide a meal for them.?It is definitely our hope that those small gestures bring some joy or light in to what is happening all around us with so much negativity.

Ekta Vyas, Ph.D – Deputy CHRO UC Davis Health (Davis, CA)

This holiday season is so much more special for bringing families, friends, colleagues and team members back together in person for shared joy and happiness. UCDH leadership celebrates this special season by promoting wellness through empathetic, compassionate, authentic connection with each other. We are extending our deep-felt gratitude to research families who help us understand and develop treatment for developmental disabilities. Bringing joy to our pediatric patients going through treatment during the holidays is our free holiday gift "store". Besides events and recognition of how much we've cared for each other during the pandemic, we are looking forward to the New Year with renewed hope and purpose.?And of course, movie marathons and lavish dinners with family and friends hold a special place along with long hours of sleep and a reflection of learnings from 2021 for an intentionally positive and focused start for 2022!

At WittKieffer we have been focused on engaging with colleagues in a meaningful way through small holiday parties.?Additionally, our leadership team has launched a "Gifts of Gratitude" program through the holidays to thank everyone for their efforts in three special ways.?The commitment of our leadership team to be thoughtful always, especially during this holiday season has been highly impactful in reminding us as colleagues how much we mean to each other.?

We wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and beyond! ?

Dan and Luke

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