Tune in now to the latest Moments Move Us episode with Rhonda Brandon, SVP and Chief Human Resources Officer at Duke University Health System 🎧
Wambi has been named one of “Best Fit” Mental Health Services & Solutions by ANA\California.
Real-time recognition is the driving force of the Wambi platform. Our holistic solution impacts patients, frontline staff, and every member of your organization.
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Rise & Lead with Rhonda Brandon
In honor of National Nurses Week, Wambi recognizes nurses across the country who embody the values of compassion, joy, imagination, gratitude and fearlessness.
PHILADELPHIA, PA — May 12, 2024 | Recognition platform Wambi, a leader in healthcare culture transformation, announces the winners of their annual “Nurse of the Year” award.
In 2021, Wambi launched the Nurse of the Year Award to shine a light on the outstanding nurses serving clients nationwide. The purpose of this annual initiative is to promote nurse recognition, inspire feelings of teamwork and camaraderie, and boost appreciation and optimism among nurses. As more than one-third of nurses plan to leave their current organization by the end of the year, it is vital for organizations to provide opportunities for nurses to feel valued, a sense of belonging, and connected to their purpose and each other.
During April 2024, users from participating clients were encouraged to nominate a nurse who they believe embodies one of Wambi’s core values of compassion, joy, imagination, gratitude and fearlessness.
The winner of the 2024 Wambi Nurse of the Year Award is Raul Gonzalez.
Congratulations to Raul Gonzalez, RN at University of Miami’s UHealth in Florida for being selected as the 2024 Wambi Nurse of the Year! Gonzalez was nominated by his teammate Julio Garcia, who said, “Raul has been an outstanding member of our healthcare team since joining us in 2020, and his contributions have been truly exceptional… His expertise in wound care has been instrumental in our efforts to reduce Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries (HAPIs), aligning perfectly with our Zero Harm Projects. What truly sets Raul apart is his remarkable compassion, charisma, and proficiency as a nurse, as evidenced by the numerous accolades he has received from our patients on the Wambi platform. Raul embodies the core values of nursing and fully aligns with the mission of the University of Miami Health System.”
The impact that Gonzalez makes on both patients and team members is evident as he received 7 nominations, the most of any other nominee this year.
Congratulations to two honorable mentions who were also selected, each aligning with one of the Wambi core values.
As burnout and retention challenges continue to impact this crucial workforce, the Wambi Nurse of the Year Award serves to unite nurses and promote gratitude during these demanding times. Wambi cofounder Rebecca Coren adds, “At Wambi, we have the unique privilege of seeing so many stories about nurses who embody the ideals of this special profession all year long. Raul is clearly a standout in how he cares for his patients and works with his team. Congratulations to Raul and our honorary mentions on these well-deserved honors!”
About Wambi
With an exclusive focus on healthcare, Wambi leverages its expertise and deep understanding of the industry’s unique needs to provide specific, tailored solutions to help our clients increase retention rates, improve patient experience, and enhance organizational performance. The Wambi platform is the first and only real-time employee engagement and recognition system that engages both healthcare professionals and patients and families. Learn more about healthcare’s happy place at Wambi.org.
For more ways to celebrate National Nurses Week and recognize nurses all year long, visit the Nurse Resources page.
If you’ve been wondering how to show your appreciation to a special nurse in your life, lean into the love language of gift giving. Each of our gifts for nurses has been chosen with hardworking nurses in mind, honoring their year–round efforts to supply compassionate care to millions of Americans. Whether they’re on their toes all day long or have a proclivity for caffeine during long shifts, there are meaningful (and useful!) gifts for nurses. Make sure you put your orders in asap, so they arrive in time for National Nurses Week from May 6th to 12th!
The BALA shoes were such a hit on our previous Healthcare Holiday Gift Guides that they had to make a comeback on our gifts for nurses list! The first in “Her Design” footwear, each shoe was built to have a personalized and adaptive fit for women. And along with its inclusive build, each shoe is outfitted with the high-traction outsoles, HRS cushioning for 24-hour support and comfort, and a fluid resistant outer layer. Say hello to healthy and happy feet!
The right amount of mask-friendly bling. This family-owned jewelry company based out of Reading, MA has been using their 12 mm Swarovski® studs to make both a fashion statement, and a public health statement, for the nursing community. 100% of the proceeds are donated to the American Nurses Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund for Nurses. 10% off with the code STAT10.
Meet the candle that works as hard as you do. The NEOM candle doubles as both a scented candle and massage. Simply light the candle and wait for the oil to melt. Made with a cocoa seed butter base and infused with a blend of luxurious rapeseed, soybean, sweet almond, baobab, and jojoba oil, you can lather the melted wax into your fatigued skin for extra hydration and nourishment.
Our favorite recipe for success. Not all superheroes wear capes and when they’re not saving the world, they’re having normal lives just like us. Gift this shirt for maximum comfort while displaying professional pride when the scrubs are in the laundry. Comes in three colors: Light Gray, Dark Gray, and Heather Dark Navy.
These are not your ordinary scrubs. The much-raved about Figs scrubs are made with a trademark technical comfort technology, striking a seamless balance between comfort and functionality. Take their jogger scrub pants, with five utilitarian pockets hidden in a sleek and flattering pant design. Tailored in regular, tall, and short sizes. Fun fact: all the scrubs are named after places and people they’ve donated scrubs to through their Threads for Theads charity effort.
Nothing says personalized like seeing your face… on a pair of socks. For nurses with a sense of humor, these custom face socks will have them fully entertained. You can add up to five faces on each pair of socks, making it a great team gift for nurses.
Need a wardrobe refresh? All Seasons Uniforms is celebrating Nurses Week with discounts on all medical apparel found on their National Nurses Week page including scrubs, lab coats, protective coats, cleanroom clothing and more.
Inspired by the Icelandic tradition of Jolabokaflod, or the “Christmas Book Flood,” each December we share a book list to encourage a more fulfilling year ahead. While past lists have included recommendations from our internal Wambi team and community group members, to compile this year’s list, we turned to the inspiring guests from the Moments Move Us podcast.
“I always try to read books or articles or listen to podcasts that really focus on self-development,” shared Aaron Davis, Vice President and CXO at UMC Health System. In his episode, he mentions books that he has read personally, or has encouraged his team to read through a company book club.
Check out the books recommended by Aaron and other healthcare leaders during the latest season.
“Hardwiring Excellence” by Clint Studor
From its practical insights, real-world examples, and actionable strategies, “Hardwiring Excellence” by Clint Studor can help healthcare leaders looking to enhance the overall quality of care and performance of their organization. The book is based on Studer Group’s Nine Principles to create a success-based culture, which includes setting high expectations, tracking progress, ensuring better customer service, building strong leadership, engaging and empowering employees, being accountable, increasing communication, recognizing success, and aligning organizational values, goals, and results.
“Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t” by Jim Collins
What differentiates good companies from those that achieve enduring greatness? This idea is explored in Jim Collins’s “Good to Great.” While it can be an influential book for any industry leader, healthcare executives might find this read valuable for its insights on sustaining excellence, leadership principles, disciplined decision-making, and creating a culture of greatness within their organizations.
“Humbitious: The Power of Low-Ego, High-Drive Leadership” by Amer Kaissi
Professional speaker, executive coach, and Trinity University Professor Amer Kaissi shatters the common misconception that strong leaders are arrogant, and ego driven. In “Humbitious,” Kaissi instead recommends leadership that balances humility and ambition. Healthcare leaders that prioritize team collaboration, patient-centered care, engaging employees, and continuous learning set their teams and cultures up for better success.
Self-awareness and authenticity are part of a leader’s ability to show both humility and vulnerability, a common theme discussed by Moments Move Us guests. Embracing both qualities can lead to more meaningful connections, foster a positive and collaborative environment, and contribute to personal and professional growth.
“Compassionomics: The Revolutionary Scientific Evidence That Caring Makes a Difference” by Stephen Trzeciak and Anthony Mazzarelli
Cooper University Health Care and Cooper Medical School of Rowan University’s Stephen Trzeciak and Anthony Mazzarelli share compelling new research which demonstrates that the healthcare industry is in the midst of a compassion crisis. Captivating stories from the frontlines and eye-opening data demonstrate how human connection and compassion can ultimately help reduce burnout among healthcare providers, improve quality care and patient outcomes, and build trust within the community.
“Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action” by Simon Sinek
Helping employees connect with their meaning and purpose is one of the core elements to building a positive culture. A sense of purpose is tied to improved physical and mental health, lower stress levels, retention, and organizational performance.
“Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action” by Simon Sinek explores the concept of starting with a clear sense of purpose or “why” in leadership and communication. The principles outlined in the book can help healthcare leaders build engaged teams, prioritize patient-centered care, and navigate the complexities of the healthcare industry with a clear and inspiring vision.
“Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork” by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy
“How can I do this?” This is a question we’ve been trained to ask ourselves when we want something accomplished. Instead, Expert Coach Dan Sullivan encourages us to shift our mindset to “Who can do this for me?” This idea emphasizes the importance of delegation and collaboration. Through this book, healthcare leaders can learn to lead more efficient and impactful teams.
Moments Move Us is a podcast hosted by Rebecca Coren, changemaker, healthcare advocate, and cofounder of Wambi. The show explores transformative stories from healthcare executives as they share impactful moments of human connection from their professional journeys. It’s these moments, the moments where people feel truly seen or heard, that spark positive change.
“I think the work that you do and the point of emphasis around connection, I find so important,” shared Dennis R. Delisle, Executive Director, University Hospital, Brain and Spine Hospital, and Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center during his episode. He continues, “Healthcare is a very special industry. And I think when we put people first, not just the patients we care for, but the employees who we serve as leaders, wonderful things happen. And it’s so meaningful because we are patients, we are family members ourselves. We have friends who need care. The work we do matters, and the people we work with matter. And I appreciate that you are also sharing in that message because it’s what makes this industry special.”
Listen and subscribe to hear these inspiring stories.
Organizational restructuring and workforce reductions are challenging, stressful, and emotional topics for any organization. From rising prices and budget cuts to technology innovation, there are countless reasons for adjustments to the workforce. According to a recent report, the healthcare industry has made the third-most job cuts out of 30 industries (behind technology and finance.) In the first quarter of 2023, there was a 65 percent increase in job cuts in comparison to the first quarter of 2022.
As a leader in healthcare culture transformation, Wambi has compassionately supported multiple organizations through these transitional periods.
A change in organizational structure can result in a shift to a less positive culture. Because of this, leaders need to identify opportunities to help maintain and boost morale. A study of Wambi users from a large regional healthcare system demonstrated a 37 percent increase in positive sentiment and a 26 percent decrease in negative sentiment after only six months of utilizing the platform. These promising metrics demonstrate that it is possible to establish a successful organizational culture when there is a consistent process in place to do so. This is helpful for organizations facing the difficult decisions of reorganization or workforce realignment.
Additionally, organizations need to prioritize the well-being of their employees. Wambi brings a fresh perspective to providing encouragement, inspiration, and support and was determined to be a “Best Fit” solution for mental health by American Nurses Association\California.
Ways you can ease your organization’s transition through workforce challenges with the help of Wambi:
Receiving feedback 1:1
During any form of organizational restructuring, it is expected that team members will have many questions. Leaders and managers need to encourage open and honest feedback on a 1:1 level. Establishing a safe space for individual conversations can promote open communication, which is essential for building a culture of respect.
Another way for leaders to gain honest feedback is through an organizational survey with questions on job satisfaction, retention, purpose, company integrity, and overall recommendations. These anonymous surveys can be used to address trends in sentiments across the organization, highlighting opportunities for improvement.
Wambi makes it easy for staff to communicate their sentiments on a continual basis through platform Check-ins. This quick, anonymous question is displayed on Wambi newsfeeds quarterly and can be customized to fit the needs of your initiative to effectively address any issues.
Create interdepartmental focus groups
Encouraging team members to collaborate cross-functionally will help diversify perspectives and roles. Human resources directors may want to create interdepartmental focus groups to
hear what is being said by employees. Wambi provides a great opportunity to promote these groups and their findings through the platform’s newsfeed, where leaders and managers can share posts requesting involvement or providing updates.
Navigating workplace survivor syndrome and guilt
It’s understandable for team members to experience survivor syndrome or guilt after a significant reduction in workforce. Employees are torn between feeling grateful to still have their job but also missing their colleagues and friends. This situation requires compassion and authenticity, which can be exercised with posts on the Wambi newsfeed to provide helpful resources for team members.
Additionally, the “Everyday Moments” Wambi category has a variety of designs created to acknowledge the often-challenging moments that healthcare workers experience. Similar to an ecard, users can select a Wambi that best fits with the message they want to send. These messages should not simply mask negativity with a smile, but instead focus on realistic optimism, understanding that things are difficult while still noticing positive moments.
Need help getting started? Here are some message suggestions:
An important deterrent of survivor syndrome is showing recognition for team members’ individual contributions.
Feelings of instability might be high after a layoff, even among top performers. Retention challenges often follow, with research showing a 31 percent increase in voluntary turnover following even modest (1 percent) reductions of staff. In light of this, leaders must shift their mindset to “re-recruiting” remaining employees. Leaders should be highly visible and engaged to help reaffirm their commitment to current team members. Expressing gratitude for the work that is being done helps team members feel confident in their roles during periods of uncertainty and change.
Wambi makes it easy for all leaders to gain insight into the positive work happening across an organization by quickly commenting, reposting, or directly thanking team members for these efforts. As many team members are picking up additional work or shifting functions to support gaps, it’s important to ensure these individuals are recognized for their effort and impact. Additionally, you can shine a spotlight on the team members who are stepping up to be leaders in their roles or in their attitude. Actions like these can help provide reassurance and a sense of support during a trying time, impacting engagement, motivation, and retention. At a large academic medical center, there was a 39% annual reduction in nursing turnover among units engaging in more recognition on Wambi.
Sending recognition through Wambi is a powerful way to communicate with team members and show appreciation. Supporting team members happens through messages such as:
Company values are the heart of organizational culture and vision. As a North Star, these beliefs shape the direction and goals for your organization and drive your business forward. They set the tone for your organization and keep everyone aligned on the company mission. During transitional times, reinforcing company values demonstrates commitment and consistency. Values, like a company mission, are the center of who your organization is. Misidentifying or failing to embody your values breeds mistrust and can make employees feel they are working for an organization that is not genuine.
Wambi’s healthcare culture transformation solution helps ensure values continue to remain at the forefront of your organization. Posts on the newsfeed are great ways for leaders to show authenticity, courage, compassion, integrity, respect, responsibility, and trust while reiterating the health system’s purpose. When sending a Wambi, you can select the core values that align best with your message in the platform.
It’s also important to reinforce how team members’ own work connects them to purpose and reorients them back to the mission after a layoff. People find meaning when they see a clear connection between what they value and what they spend time doing. As Harvard Business Review indicates, “The most effective way to do this is to share stories of how, collectively, you are making a positive difference in the lives of real people and communities.” Wambi is key in uniting healthcare workers with their “why” and purpose, which leads to higher levels of engagement. A meaningful note from a patient can be energizing and uplifting; it can also help them to shift focus back to their purpose and remember the value of the work they do.
Understanding that this is a challenging time, Wambi is here to provide support and reinforce the positive culture you want to build at your organization.
Contact us today for more information and ideas on how Wambi can help.