Team Wellness: Caring for the Carers
Knute Nelson | Walker Methodist Team Wellness Chaplaincy Program
Beginning in June, the Knute Nelson Walker Methodist Foundation has funded the immediate expansion of the Team Wellness Chaplaincy program for our team members who work in our North region. Team Wellness Chaplain Erin Hurley Robinson (M.Div., M.A.) shares her experience leading this incredible program.
How it began
There are two things that I know to be true after nearly a decade working in healthcare. The first is this: healthcare workers are the salt of the earth. From nurses to maintenance, culinary to administration, they pour their hearts and souls into their work, caring for those in their community with compassion and dedication.
The second is distinctly more alarming. COVID-19 acted as an accelerant to an already-brewing crisis facing our field.
When I was invited to spearhead an initiative offering chaplaincy to our team members, I leapt at the opportunity. In January 2022, my role as Team Wellness Chaplain at Walker Methodist was born. I have been honored to walk alongside team members individually and on the community level to provide support, offer resources, and promote wellness.
A story of personal impact
In early 2022, I met Margaret* at a staff meeting. Friendly and gregarious, she offered a warm welcome and remarked that it seemed like a neat program, for those who need it. She knew it wouldn’t be something she utilized – she couldn’t imagine a situation so upsetting that she would need to talk to a chaplain at work! – but she was glad it was around for others.
Eighteen months later, I received two emails and a call from leadership in Margaret’s community. Margaret had gone through a distressing work event, and her leaders were concerned for her.
I met with Margaret the next day and was immediately struck by the difference in her demeanor. The vivacious, bubbly person I had met had been replaced by someone withdrawn, anxious, and tearful. We spent almost an hour together that day, with further check-ins via email in the following days and an open door to meet in person again if she wanted. During our time together, Margaret said one thing consistently: “I’m so glad we have this program.” She thanked me for making time and space for her to process and noted her gratitude for my role.
This story, for me, is exactly why we have a chaplain dedicated to team member wellness. Some team members may never need it. But when a team member does need it, having this additional resource available to them is just one of the ways that we demonstrate to team members that they matter and are valued.
*Name changed for confidentiality.
Providing guidance from the start
Since the program began, I’ve met with team members 1:1 to teach anxiety coping strategies, to offer bereavement support when a loved one has died, to coach them in communication and conflict management for interpersonal relationships, to help them find crisis resources when basic needs for housing, food, and safety were unmet, and more.
On the community level, I have offered grief circles and memorials for teams who have experienced the loss of one of their colleagues, particularly difficult deaths, or periods of frequent resident deaths. I’ve offered hand massages and blessings to thank them for their hard work and dedication. I’ve addressed the interpersonal and emotional challenges that show up with unexpected leadership changes. And, most recently, I have started a monthly newsletter that addresses a new wellness topic each month.
Supporting the entire organization
While this program began at Walker Methodist prior to our merge, one of the many ways in which the merger with Knute Nelson is a happy marriage is the shared value placed on team member wellness.
Now, I am thrilled to announce that the Team Wellness program offering chaplaincy support and promoting wellness to team members that began in our South region has been expanded to our North region. This is a brand-new effort for our North team members, but if the response is anything like the response in the South, I expect that the program will flourish quickly. I look forward to the opportunity to provide the sort of support to our North team that I have provided in the South. Because, if there are any people who deserve to be cared for well, it’s the healthcare workers who dedicate their lives to caring for others.
Caring for our Carers
Knute Nelson | Walker Methodist understands the importance of employee wellness. Being offered Team Member Wellness at work is truly a blessing. It’s incredible to work for a company that values you and offers the support you need. This support provides the opportunity to do your best and be your best at work. And that’s an opportunity we all would love to have. So, check out our opportunities and find the role that’s right for you. Click here to view our opportunities.
Published on July 17th, 2024
