Well-Being Month 2024 Update: The Power of Connection

Well-being Month Update + the Power of Connection

Taking care of ourselves is a necessity to keeping our Promise, treating each other like family, and thriving at work and home. Some days balancing everything in our lives can be challenging. When we take time for personal and professional well-being it’s easier to find the energy and motivation to show up as our best selves each day.

We’ve launched an annual tradition dedicated to helping you be your best-self at work and home. August is Cook Children’s Well-Being Month. We’ve brought together multiple teams to promote self-care and connect our 10,000 employees to the programs, benefits, and resources offered to enjoy life and thrive at work and home. 

This week we're talking about the importance of teamwork, connections with colleagues, and peer support to boost well-being plus we have a great list of the many ways you can connect at Cook Children’s so be sure to keep scrolling to read about both and watch the video!

What’s Happening This Month

Well-being Month: Supporting you to thrive at work and home: visit this page on CookNet to learn about events, classes, and activities planned for August.

Some highlights are:

• Look for the Cook Children’s University and Healthy Me virtual self-care class schedule and register through links on that page.
• Learn about the Virgin Pulse wellness program app and how it can help with your well-being goals.
• Take part in Well-Bingo for a variety of self-care activities and the chance to win a gift card. Turn in your cards by Sept. 4.   
•  Ten locations around the System held Beat the Heat Treat events. Click here to see photos from each event. 
• Are you hosting a Beat the Heat Treat event at your location? Be sure to send photos to teamexperience@cookchildrens.org. There’s still time to host your event and take advantage of the IDT to support your event. Click here for more information.

Note: The self-care class schedule, details on Beat the Heat Treat, Virgin Pulse info sheet and the Well-Bingo card are in the top right corner of this page to download and print.

The Power of Connection: Boosting Well-Being through Teamwork and Peer Support 

Relationships are fundamental to both our personal and professional lives, profoundly impacting our well-being, happiness, and success. At work, the way we interact with one another sends a powerful message to our patients and their families, helping them feel more at ease during challenging times.

A Shift in Perspective

What if we approached each workday with the understanding that our interactions not only affect our own well-being but also that of those around us?

We have an exciting story to share that proves this very idea. Clinical directors Melodie Davis and Lisa Farmer joined forces on a strategic initiative to improve wellness and retention. They engaged 2,750 nurses across the Cook Children’s system; CCMC, CCMCP, CCPN, CCHCS, CCHH, and CCHP to find the answer to two questions:

• What do you typically look forward to each day?
• Why do you stay in your current position?

While not a surprise, the initiative confirms that teamwork, connections with colleagues, and peer support contribute to a positive work environment. 

Well-Being Tips

Whether you are in direct patient care or supporting someone who is, these tips are for you: 

Build meaningful relationships: Seek out opportunities to connect with colleagues beyond work-related discussions.

Support your colleagues: Be attentive to your coworkers’ needs. If you notice someone struggling, offer support early and often. A simple, kind message can make a significant difference.

Respect individual preferences: Recognize that not everyone is comfortable accepting support in the same way. Meet people where they are and adapt your response accordingly. Accept and value every person for who they are.

Take Action Today 

·         Reach out to a colleague, join a workplace group, or organize a team activity. Remember, we’re all in it together!

·         Access the toolkit - Retaining Our Team: Action Items from the “Stay Survey” 

One of the top benefits people seek from work is belonging and purpose. By making connections and supporting one another, we create an experience we all want to be part of. 

Ways to Connect at Cook Children’s

As you’ve read above, connections with colleagues can support a positive work environment and boost our well-being. There are a number of ways to connect with your colleagues. Click the links to learn more about each one.

Cook Children’s Cycling Crew: Join the Cycling Crew for weekly rides with cyclists of all experience levels. Their page has more information on future rides, charity rides and how to get the “official” Cook Children’s cycling jersey.  (details)

Employee Cares Champion: Partner with the Foundation and your colleagues to support giving initiatives that fund special programs and projects benefiting our patients and families.

Employee Resource Groups (ERG’s): Make connections and build community through an employee resource group. Cook Children’s has four ERG groups – visit this page to learn more about each.

Blue Castle Collaborators – Toastmasters Group: Gain communication and leadership skills in a nurturing environment with your coworkers at bi-monthly virtual meetings. (details)

Employee Volunteers: Learn about ways to connect with patients, families and colleagues through meaningful volunteer opportunities at Cook Children’s. (details)

Patient Experience Champions (PECS): PECS work together as a group and with their teams to elevate the patient experience at Cook Children’s.

Zero Harm Coaches: Join coworkers who are passionate about continuous learning and educating their peers on safety and quality best practices.

Walking Groups: Meet up at the Wellness Zone on the Fort Worth campus to connect with coworkers while getting some exercise and fresh air. Options: Tuesday and Friday at 7 a.m.; daily at 10:30 a.m. and 12:35 p.m. The walks are approximately 30 minutes long. Not on the Fort Worth campus? Start a walking group at your location!

Virtual Energy Breaks: Join your colleagues for a virtual break to add 10 minutes of movement to your day! Email wellnesszone@cookchildrens.org to get the Zoom invitation to add to your calendar. Virtual energy breaks are scheduled Monday through Friday with AM and PM options.

eCards: Send an eCard to a colleague to recognize their work or to let them know you’re thinking about them. There are ten different categories and more than 40 cards to choose from including “happy birthday,” “congrats”, “thank you” and “welcome.”