Pause. Relax. Breathe. This is the simplified intent behind Chester County Hospital’s new Renewal Center – a sacred space for employees to visit when they need to practice self-care.
“This has been in my mind for a long time. Thanks to a multidisciplinary team, the hospital’s Relationship Focused Care Council, and generous community donors, we were able to make this vision a reality,” said Angela Coladonato, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, senior vice president for Nursing and chief nursing officer.
“Self-care is essential and human work that we all need to do. It’s a common misconception in our society that busy is better, but we have to slow down,” Coladonato shared. “It’s my hope that staff will utilize this space to take time out, knowing that they have the full support of leadership to do so.”
The Renewal Center’s four rooms include one with five massage chairs, a meditation space, an office and resource room with access to mental health and well-being offerings for employees, and a private lounge.
“In the future we plan to host well-being coaching in this space. We’ve in been talks with Jennifer Brady, associate director for Benefits and Wellness at Penn Medicine, to assist us with this goal,” shared Coladonato.
Lynda Worth, RN, BSN, a staff nurse in the hospital’s Cardiac Cath Lab, frequents the Center often, and is appreciative for many reasons, mostly for the ability to experience muscle and joint recovery after a long week.
“The Renewal Center at Chester County Hospital is an athlete’s paradise,” she said. “You don’t have to be an athlete, though, to experience the benefits the Center provides. Decreased muscle and joint discomfort, increased strength and flexibility, more energy, and more mindfulness are just a few takeaways I’ve experienced. I’m so thankful to hospital leadership and the donors who made this Center possible.”