Tune in now to the final Season 4 Moments Move Us episode with Rebecca Coren 🎧
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.
Our innovative employee recognition solution leverages gamification to positively transform the employee experience. Calculate your ROI, explore data insights, and read more about our success stories.
New Podcast Episode:
Creating Change Through Connection: Leadership Lessons from Season 4 with host Rebecca Coren
July is Social Wellness Awareness Month. In this article, you will learn:Â
Between social distancing, masking, and reduced visitation, the COVID-19 pandemic has limited our opportunities to connect with one another and has severely impacted social wellness globally. But what is “social wellness” and why does it matter in healthcare? Â
Social wellness is having positive relationships, connections, and a support system to bond with others and develop a sense of belonging. As one of the eight dimensions of wellness, social wellness focuses on building and nurturing meaningful and supportive relationships with individuals, groups, and communities.  Â
Social support can impact both your physical and psychological health. Make time throughout Social Wellness Awareness Month in July to deepen relationships, build your network, and improve your social wellness.  Â
To bring our best selves to work each day, we need to focus on all aspects of health, not just physical. Just like eating well and exercising can benefit your physical health, there are many ways to focus on your social wellness. Â
Before determining how you want to improve your social wellness, reflect on your current state and social needs. Some questions to consider are: What parts of your social life do you enjoy? What are your most meaningful relationships? How do you communicate during conflicts? Â
When looking for ways to bond with others and build satisfying relationships, consider these opportunities to focus on social wellness:Â
As we continue to evaluate ways to address clinician burnout and retention, one consistent solution is to create a positive work environment where team members feel valued and like they belong. Belonging is a key factor of social wellness. Everyone wants to bond with others, feel like they are part of a group, and know that their social connections are strong. With Wambi’s recognition software designed specifically for the needs of the healthcare community, team members and leaders receive and share personalized recognition and gratitude for one another to realize their impact and feel more valued at work. Â
Healthcare workers have a unique opportunity to build positive connections as caregivers. “One thing that ties every single professional who works in healthcare is the ability to impact patients and family members,” shares Wambi’s CEO Rebecca Coren. She describes healthcare as a relationship and people business, reiterating the strong impact social wellness has on the field. But what happens when those connections aren’t positive? What happens when healthcare workers are anxious about their safety? As violence increases in health systems across the country, the relationships between patients and healthcare workers have declined. According to Vituity’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Gregg Miller, “When a patient or family member becomes upset, our first reaction is sometimes ‘Do I need to call security to make sure we’re safe?’ rather than, ‘What can I say to help this person feel better?’”Â
Now more than ever, it is crucial for healthcare leaders to enable opportunities for positive connections between their team members and patients and families that are mutually beneficial to the well-being of both parties. Investing in a recognition system like Wambi allows you to create a more positive work environment. Wambi’s recognition software has demonstrated improvements in social wellness for healthcare organizations. Â
Wambi is built on the power of moments and elevating positive connections between people. In addition to sending and receiving notes of gratitude and recognition, here are a few things you can try to help you improve your social wellness during July. Â
Ready to build more positive connections between leaders, team members, and patients? Make social wellness a priority at your organization by requesting a demo of the Wambi platform.Â
In this article you will learn: Â
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, our healthcare workforce was dealing with alarming rates of stress, burnout, and depression. The past two years have only exacerbated the problem, leaving workers exhausted, disconnected, and struggling. In a 2020 survey, 93% of health workers reported they were experiencing stress, 86% reported anxiety, 76% reported exhaustion and burnout, and 41% reported loneliness. These mental health challenges have contributed to deteriorating retention across the industry, with 20%-40% planning to leave the healthcare workforce within the next two years. Â
“The state of nurses’ mental health is not only a concern for patient safety but also the integrity of existing healthcare systems,” shares Dr. Marketa Houskova, ANA\California Executive Director. Though May is Mental Health Month, we work year-round to raise awareness about underlying conditions while working to destigmatize mental health and support mental wellbeing, particularly in the healthcare industry.Â
Organizations need mental health support and resources, but many tend to lean on traditional solutions that don’t work. One major roadblock preventing healthcare workers’ access to mental health care is the lack of prioritization and awareness of available resources. To help healthcare leaders better understand the breadth of mental health offerings and evaluate which products may be right for them, ANA\California released a review of 24 mental health services and solutions, naming Wambi a “Best Fit.”
As the Great Resignation continues to challenge retention, leaders are searching for the secret ingredient to keep their employees engaged. Ensuring that your team members feel valued by their managers and the overall organization are key contributing factors to improving retention. However, according to Mental Health America’s Mind the Workplace 2018 Report, 75% of respondents felt that skilled employees were not given proper recognition. With Wambi’s recognition and culture transformation platform, team members receive and share personalized, real-time recognition from peers, leaders, and patients to realize their impact and feel more valued at work.Â
People working in healthcare are incredibly busy, and patient needs come first. Therefore, any technology solution must be easy to use and learn while providing a fun, fulfilling, and engaging experience that makes users want to log in. With the Wambi platform, you can show recognition for any moment, big or small, and improve connection by shortening the distance between leaders and team members. Leaders don’t have to wait for big, impactful moments to show recognition, but can quickly and easily share a simple message of care and support to let someone know you are thinking of them. Establishing this connection can go a long way toward reducing burnout. Â
By drawing on gratitude and creating an awareness of what is going well, positive emotions and positive relationships combine to enable your healthcare team members to truly thrive. Wambi’s unique platform allows patients and their families to share positive stories and say thank you to their individual care providers. In addition, team members and leaders can recognize and support one another. Focusing on gratitude and reflecting on positive moments results in increased feelings of optimism. In addition, studies show that giving thanks leads to a stronger immune system, reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, better sleep, and even faster recovery from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Making gratitude a focus for your organization can provide your team with hope, strength, and the energy needed to meet life’s many challenges.Â
Want to learn more about the importance of gratitude? Download the toolkit today!
Wambi is dedicated to addressing the mental health crisis in the healthcare industry throughout Mental Health Month and beyond. Thanks to partners EvenHealth and Corporate Counseling Solutions, Wambi clients can receive end-to-end mental health resources to support their teams.Â
In March 2022, the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act was signed into law. Included in the legislation is an initiative designed to encourage healthcare workers to seek support and treatment for mental and behavioral health concerns. Â
“Healthcare professionals often forgo mental health treatment due to the significant stigma in both our society and the medical community, as well as due to the fear of professional repercussions,” shares Angela Mills, MD, chair of emergency medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. “This law will provide much-needed funding to help break down the stigma of mental health care, providing education and training to prevent suicide, address other behavioral health issues, and improve well-being.” This law is a positive step toward ensuring healthcare workers have access to resources to support their mental health. Â
For additional resources, be sure to check out all 24 mental health services and solutions compiled by ANA\California and visit the Well-Being Initiative by the American Nurses Foundation for free tools and resources to support the mental health and resilience of all nurses. Â
By sharing in support and advocacy for this important topic, we hope that anyone affected by mental health challenges can receive the care they need.Â
The more emphasis the healthcare industry places on emotional health and well-being, the more you’ll see a thriving, inspired workplace with strong organizational performance and team effectiveness. Ready to see how Wambi helps you keep mental health top of mind? Request a demo today!Â
In honor of National Nurses Week, Wambi recognizes six nurses across the country who embody the values of compassion, joy, imagination, gratitude and fearlessness.
PHILADELPHIA, PA — May 12, 2022 | 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 role by the end of the year, it is vital for organizations to provide opportunities for nurses to feel valued and a sense of belonging.
During April 2022, 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. In total, more than 900 nominations were received through the Wambi platform.
The winner of the 2022 Wambi Nurse of the Year Award is Jodi Linzmeier.
Congratulations to Jodi Linzmeier, RN, BSN, CACP, Assistant Manager, Anticoagulation Services at Marshfield Clinic Health System in Wisconsin for being selected as the 2022 Wambi Nurse of the Year! Linzmeier was nominated by her teammate Melissa Smazal, who said, “Jodi is an incredible nurse and an amazing assistant manager. She is extremely knowledgeable, patient, and caring. She demonstrates this through her interactions with both her patients and her staff. Jodi has had to take on many challenges through her time with ACS and has done so with great poise, understanding, and a smile. She is a phenomenal, compassionate person who shares her concern of her patients beyond the doctor’s office and her concern of her staff beyond the workplace. Jodi would be the perfect candidate for this recognition, very well-deserved.”Â
The impact that Linzmeier makes on both patients and team members is evident as she received 21 nominations, the most of any nominee. The Wambi platform reinforces the importance of both sharing and receiving gratitude and recognition, and so both Jodi Linzmeier and Melissa Smazal will receive a free pair of premium nursing shoes thanks to Wambi’s generous partner BALA.
Congratulations to five honorable mentions who were also selected, each aligning with one of the Wambi core values.
As burnout and retention challenges continue to impact this vital workforce, the Wambi Nurse of the Year Award serves to unite nurses and promote gratitude during these demanding times. Wambi CEO and Co-founder Rebecca Coren Metter adds, “Nurses are the heartbeat of the healthcare industry. It is critical that they feel seen and valued for the care they give every day so that they know they are living their purpose. These nominations are powerful because they help remind these incredible nurses that they make a difference to their patients and colleagues. It is a privilege for us at Wambi to be part of recognizing exceptional nurses.”Â
About Wambi
Wambi’s holistic real-time recognition and culture transformation solution improves the healthcare experience for patients and staff through the power of gratitude. Its gamified technology delivers real-time feedback from patients and other team members that recognizes, rewards, and motivates optimal care. With the proven ability to increase workforce engagement, reduce clinician burnout, and drive higher patient satisfaction, Wambi improves human connection for all. Learn more at Wambi.org.
For more ways to celebrate National Nurses Week and recognize nurses all year long, visit the Nurse Resources page.
National Nurses Week is celebrated each year from May 6th until Florence Nightingale’s birthday on May 12th. The week-long celebration recognizes the essential contributions that nurses across the country make each day. Like Wambi, there are many companies that want to support and show gratitude for these vital healthcare workers. Check out which restaurants and retailers are showering nurses with discounts, free gifts, and other goodies that you and your team can take advantage of during National Nurses Week!
The deals included have been collected during previous Nurses Week celebrations and is updated as companies and organizations release their promotions.Â
You may need to show your badge or enter your ID number to take advantage of some of these benefits.
“For the sick it is important to have the best.”  – Florence Nightingale
Chipotle | What’s better than 1 free burrito? A year of free burritos! Chipotle is giving 2,000 healthcare workers free chipotle for a year in celebration of Nurses Week. Visit their website for official rules and to submit your nomination before May 6th. Â
Chick-fil-A | The establishment known for its legendary chicken sandwich wants you to “eat more chicken” and offers a 15% discount. Treat yourself to delicious waffle fries, indescribable milkshakes, and unforgettable customer service.
IHOP | Hop on over to the International House of Pancakes and get a 25% discount so you can enjoy a stack of fluffy pancakes. Panda Express | Treat yourself to delicious comfort food after a long shift! Panda Express is offering a 10% discount.
Outback Steakhouse | Is your heart set on a Bloomin’ Onion? You’re in luck, because Outback provides discounts to all healthcare workers!
Costco | Enjoy gratitude in bulk! Any healthcare worker who purchases a Costco membership will also receive a complimentary $20 gift card.
Blue Apron & Home Chef | Are you an aspiring home cook? Blue Apron and Home Chef are here to support you, just as you care for others, by offering incredible discounts on your subscriptions!
Thrive Market | You should be THRIVING! And you can with a free membership!
Mrs. Fields | Cookies are medicine for the soul. Mrs. Fields is offering a 55% discount on their famous desserts. Be sure to check out their Heroes Collection of thank you tins and baskets full of cookies and brownies.
Dunkin’ | Nurses deserve shots [of espresso], too! Enjoy free coffee from Dunkin’. Â Insomnia Cookies | When cookie cravings come in full force during your overnight shift, Insomnia Cookies comes to the rescue! All healthcare workers are entitled to a free cookie during Nurses Week!
Krispy Kreme | Glazed and hot and ready, Krispy Kreme is offering free doughnuts during Nurses Week! How sweet!
KIND | Be KIND to yourself and pack a nutritious snack for your shift!
Olipop | The perfect bev to quench your thirst amidst a busy shift!
BALA, proud official partner of Wambi! | Designed specifically for the rigors of nursing, BALA Twelves are your go-to footwear for a 12-hour shift. While both the 2023 Wambi Nurse of the Year and the individual who sends the winning nomination will be awarded prizes from BALA, everyone can get a discount during their spring sale!
Looking to fill your closet with more shoes? Crocs and Clarks also provide discounts for healthcare workers.
Northface | After a long day, swap out your scrubs for something cozy from the Northface. Join their XPLR Pass and get 10% off your first online purchase.
Madewell | Planning a night out? Madewell has you covered! Enjoy 15% off online and in stores and treat yourself to a new pair of jeans, accessories, and more.
Adidas | Training, fitness, sports, and activities, you can get it all at Adidas, who offers an exclusive discount of 30% online and in-store and 20% at factory outlets.
Nike | Activewear or lounge wear? Either way, Nike is the perfect spot to stock up with a 10% discount.
Carhart | Your clothes should be as tough as you are, and with Carhart, they can be. Enjoy a 15% discount to use on apparel and accessories.
Brooklyn Bedding | After a busy shift, there’s nothing like snuggling in your own bed. Brooklyn Bedding agrees and is offering 25% off plus free shipping
Verizon | Can you hear a good deal now? Good! Verizon has you covered with discounted phone plans to celebrate Nurses Week!Â
Yeti | This industrial strength cooler company builds only the strongest for the strongest; and at the right price with you in mind!Â
Ring Doorbell | Ring understands that your hospital schedule can be long and sometimes unpredictable. While you’re caring for your patients, Ring is there to keep an eye out on your home. Although you can’t put a price tag on peace of mind, you can get a 20% discount. Â
BP | When you sign up for BP rewards, you can keep your tank and wallet happy with BP discounts for all healthcare workers!
The Franklin Institute | In the Philly area? Enjoy a free visit to this Philadelphian museum, along with three guests of your choosing!
While tasty treats and stylish apparel are always appreciated, it is important to recognize nurses with genuine and authentic appreciation for their work and gratitude for their effort. With Wambi, peers, leaders, and patients have the opportunity to share gratitude and recognition. Living a life of gratitude gives you hope, strength, energy, wisdom, and the serenity to meet life’s many challenges of grief, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and fear. The more emphasis the healthcare industry places on emotional health and well-being, the more you’ll see a thriving, inspired workplace with strong organizational performance and team effectiveness. Â
Ready to discover how Wambi’s healthcare experience solution can help your team truly thrive? Request a demo and see how Wambi supports your employee engagement strategy, not just during Nurses Week, but all year long! Â
For more ways to celebrate National Nurses Week, be sure to visit the resource page to download thank you cards, social media images, and festive video call backgrounds. Â