Have you ever wondered who takes care of the people who take care of you when you’re sick or injured?
Every day, Endeavor Health doctors, nurses and care team members work tirelessly to provide critical, lifesaving care, support patients and families, and help people stay healthy through preventive care and screenings.
They’re also human beings, who get tired, stressed out and weighed down by life’s challenges like everyone else. Working in healthcare is a deeply rewarding yet demanding profession.
“As an emergency room nurse, I have the privilege of feeling like a superhero — literally saving lives of strangers. With that privilege comes a front row seat to witnessing some of the most devastating events a person can witness. We aid in tragedy, sickness and death. There are shifts that challenge my spiritual and emotional wellbeing at work and even outside the hospital,” said Giuliana Geati, RN, a registered nurse in the Emergency Department at Endeavor Health Northwest Community Hospital.
Endeavor Health understands how important it is to care for those who care for others. When healthcare workers feel supported, they are better equipped to be their best at home and at work.
“At the center of every care experience is a person, including the people delivering that care,” said Lindsay Fazio, PhD, AVP of Wellbeing & Clinician Experience at Endeavor Health. “We’re working to build an environment where people feel valued, not just in the hardest moments, but throughout their entire journey in healthcare.”
Recognizing the importance of healthcare worker mental health
For the fourth consecutive year, Endeavor Health has been recognized for its workplace mental health support with the Platinum Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health from Mental Health America, the organization’s highest level of national recognition. Endeavor Health ranks among the top 1% of organizations nationwide.
“Workforce wellbeing is a core operational and clinical priority, directly tied to retention, patient outcomes and long-term sustainability,” said Dianna Sparacino, Chief People Officer at Endeavor Health. “Earning Platinum recognition for a fourth year reflects the intentional work we’ve done to ensure our teams have support when and where they need it.”
Over the past five years, Endeavor Health has launched more than 250 wellbeing initiatives and built an effective Wellbeing & Vitality program designed to support team members through moments of stress, burnout, grief and workplace trauma.
“When I pause to reflect about the support our Wellbeing & Vitality team provides, I think about the profound moments nurses witness every day. We celebrate new beginnings, walk beside families through unimaginable loss, and carry stories that often stay with us long after our shift ends. Yet, few of us are prepared for the emotional, physical and spiritual impact that this work can leave behind,” said Jill Kottmeier, MS, BSN, RN, FT, CCISM, Program Director of Wellbeing & Vitality at Endeavor Health.
Made up of licensed and certified mental health and wellbeing specialists, the Wellbeing & Vitality team helps ensure all Endeavor Health staff members’ professional and personal wellbeing needs are met. The team also helps strengthen staff relationships, supports an open and trusting environment, and provides tools to manage stress.
“Our Wellbeing & Vitality programs are redefining what it means to support nurses, challenging the culture that once expected nurses to keep ‘pushing through,’ and instead meeting nurses with a culture rooted in compassion, connection and resilience. This creates lasting change, one nurse at a time,” said Kottmeier.
Supporting our team through challenges and everyday life
Endeavor Health also has a team called Resilience in Stressful Events (RISE), a dedicated group of diverse healthcare professionals trained in crisis response. The RISE team is committed to empowering resilience after critical incidents.
Endeavor Health team members might contact RISE for support after an event of workplace violence, the death of a patient or colleague, or even in coping with the emotional impact of adverse events. The RISE team will also proactively reach out to team members after a traumatic event.
“I have learned that I am unable to take care of anyone else unless my wellbeing is taken care of,” said Geati. “I’ve felt supported in my journey as a nurse with the resources the hospital has provided. Being able to connect with a wellbeing support advisor from the RISE team makes it possible for nurses to continue to help people. I feel blessed to be able to continue the gift of helping those who need it on the most challenging days of their lives.”
Additional wellbeing resources
Beyond direct mental health support, Endeavor Health offers resources to ease mental and physical strain, such as lactation rooms, on-site fitness centers and comprehensive workplace safety training to support rest, safety and recovery.
Endeavor Health also offers its team members and their families free and confidential counseling to deal with life’s challenges, flexible time off and family-focused benefits such as adoption support and pet insurance. We also provide tools and education to help team members manage financial stress and plan for the future.
By investing in mental health resources, resilience programs and wellbeing initiatives, Endeavor Health creates an environment where care team members can thrive. Our commitment benefits not just our team members, but also the patients, families and the communities they serve.
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