Wave of Well-Being cards show up on bulletin boards across LG Health to show support for fellow employees
The weight of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on each of us. While it has been a challenging two years for health-care workers, employees from across Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health have found ways to support and comfort each other and safeguard our collective well-being.
The LG Health Wellness committee includes like-minded providers and employees who collaborate on unique ways that support overall employee well-being. As the community experienced a surge in COVID-19 cases at the end of 2021, the committee again began looking for creative ideas to encourage staff. Inspired by an idea from Denise Cope, MD, a primary-care physician at Lancaster General Health Physicians (LGHP) Abbeyville Family Medicine, the “Wave of Well-Being” allows employees to share handwritten notes of encouragement to show that no one was going through this challenging time alone.
In January 2022, “The Wave of Well-Being” began with LGHP outpatient locations sending handwritten notes of support and encouragement to their inpatient colleagues. The scope of the project eventually broadened with the goal of reaching all departments throughout the organization – creating a “Wave of Well-Being” across the health system.
“The project was created with a ’pay it forward‘ concept in mind, so employees could feel the benefits of giving and receiving encouragement from other employees,” said Stephanie Lockard, practice manager, Infectious Diseases. “We knew each team in the organization was feeling the strain from COVID-19 in their own way, and we wanted to create a platform for them to connect and recognize each other’s hard work.”
While COVID-19 numbers have slowed, the “Wave of Well-Being” continues strong, reaching five teams per week. As of March 2022, the project has touched 60 individual teams and over 2,700 employees. In the coming months, the team hopes each department and individual employee has received a note of encouragement from a fellow LG Health employee.
Employees from across the health system have volunteered their time to help continue the “Wave of Well-Being” including Kristy Askey, physician engagement manager, Medical Staff Office; Cindy Haldeman, supervisor, executive assistants, Lancaster General Health Physicians; and many more who work to ensure cards are delivered to various LG Health locations.
“I think we’ve all learned how important self-care and well-being are,” added Lockard. “Even as COVID-19 numbers slow, the efforts of the committee will continue to support our employees.”
Employees with a well-being idea to share or those who would like to be involved in the Wave of “Well-Being,” are encouraged to reach out to Jennifer Collins, MD or Stephanie Lockard.