Renown Health Leads Nation With Focus on Clinician and Employee Wellness

New mental health benefits and two leaders Top Women in Wellness and HR by Ragan Communications

Concern about clinician well-being has been top of mind for years, but the pandemic has exacerbated stress and trauma and presented a unique opportunity to reframe core approaches to fostering a thriving workforce. More than ever, clinicians require compassionate, holistic support to ensure that they feel safe, valued and engaged,” begins the introduction to the 2022 Health Care Talent Scan from the American Hospital Association.

In line with this new report, Renown Health President and CEO Tony Slonim, MD, D.Ph., and a newly appointed member of the American Hospital Association Board of Directors, has announced a number of additional benefits to address some of the physical and psychological impacts of chronic clinician workforce stressors and to promote rest-and-recuperation strategies, essential for sustaining high-performing clinical teams.

In an enterprise-wide communication, Dr. Slonim wrote to Renown Health employees, “I often say good health is a positive connection of a person’s body, mind and spirit. To honor you this holiday season, we have added to your comprehensive benefits package to help you achieve well-being, realize greater financial security, advance your education, enjoy enhanced life balance, and when needed, face illnesses and setbacks with the greatest possible peace of mind.”

In addition to offering a $100 cash holiday gift for all frontline employees (up to manager level), Renown leaders are working to remove the stigma and barriers to using mental health services when needed, and reinforcing that seeking help indicates strength, not weakness.

“By listening, recognizing and honoring our team member’s emotional health, we are looking to help each other process these experiences, grow from them and emerge more resilient and available to our patients and families,” said Michelle Sanchez Bickley, MS, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Chief Human Resources Officer. “This could include taking a day off to refresh and recharge or taking advantage of confidential, mental health counseling visits at no charge. We have updated our policy to include mental and emotional well-being as eligible for use of sick leave.”

Sanchez-Bickley is the newest inductee to the HR Hall of Fame this week by Ragan Communications, for leading the charge for health care organizations across the United States in employee health, performance management, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, training and development, and for implementing innovative employee benefits. She is the only health care HR leader named to the Hall of Fame this year.

Also named to the national leadership list is Ann Beck, MBA, Chief Financial Officer, who, Ragan Communications noted, “despite being in the middle of a COVID pandemic and economic and financial down turn, was able to drive performance to secure Renown’s workforce and long-term financing to serve this generation and the next.”

In addition, hospital staff will be offered free chair massages, courtesy of a local donor organization, MOBE. “Without a doubt, it’s the little things like this, free chair massages, food trucks at lunch time, a hot cup of coffee near the end of your shift, and a sincere “thank you” from a patient or family, that makes all the difference to us as nurses,” said Jana Elliott, DNP, RN, Associate Chief Nursing Officer Acute Services.

Clinicians and employees are also encouraged to take vacation time away, and will continue to earn 10 paid holidays plus vacation time, employee recognition and rewards through the Everyday Amazing employee recognition program, enrollment in a free life insurance plan, and offered paid volunteer time and health insurance, 401k retirement planning, and education and tuition reimbursement.

Dr. Slonim ended his communication by saying, “This year, as we readjust, realign and restore our way to a new world, I have never been prouder to ‘Be Renown.’ Thank you for standing by us, offering your time and expertise, and helping us emerge stronger people, and a stronger organization through a very challenging time. Please enjoy this holiday season with family and friends, and know you are appreciated.”

Renown Health is currently hiring key roles to support the health and well-being of our community. The HR and Recruiting team are providing applicants with support during the application, interview and onboarding processes with a variety of digital and virtual tools. To join the Renown team to help Fight the Good fight, visit https://careers.renown.org.

About Renown Health

Renown Health is a locally governed, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving northern Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. In U.S. News and World Report Best Hospital rankings, Renown Regional Medical Center was listed #1 in the State of Nevada. Renown has a long tradition and commitment to improve the care and the health of our community. Renown is currently enrolling participants in the world’s largest community-based genetic population health study, the Healthy Nevada Project®. For more information, visit renown.org.

Renown Health ICUs Earn Prestigious Beacon Awards for Excellence, 3 Times in Row; Progressive Care Telemetry Unit First Time Winner

National recognition for critical care, intensive and progressive care nurses and units serving as role models for excellent patient and family care The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) has recognized Renown Health Intensive, Critical Care and Progressive Care Units (ICUs, CCUs, PCUs) with Beacon Awards for Excellence®. Renown Health is among the few organizations in the U.S. to achieve this distinction three times in a row. In addition, Renown Regional Medical Center’s Telemetry Unit has been honored with the Beacon Award, ® marking the first time this dedicated team has achieved Beacon status. The Beacon Award for Excellence®, a significant milestone on the path to exceptional patient care and healthy work environments, recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards. Units that achieve this three-year award designations meet national criteria consistent with the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award. “These dedicated healthcare professionals join our exceptional community of nurses, who set the standard for optimal patient care,” said AACN President Jennifer Adamski, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, CCRN, FCCM. “I applaud the commitment of the caregivers at Renown Health for working together to meet and exceed the high standards set forth by the Beacon Award for Excellence®.” “Earning the Beacon Award for Excellence once is a remarkable achievement- but receiving it three times in a row is truly extraordinary,” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President and CEO, Renown Health. This honor reflects the unwavering dedication, sustained performance and a relentless focus on quality and patient safety by our ICU nurses, critical care, intensive and progressive care physicians, and care teams who bring clinical excellence and compassionate care to the bedside every day. We are incredibly proud of their work and honored to be among the few organizations nationwide to achieve this distinction multiple times.” Renown Health is among a select group of health systems nationwide with multiple Beacon-recognized ICUs, underscoring its role as the region’s Trauma Center and a leader in critical care. The four Beacon Awardees for Excellence ® for 2024 at Renown Regional Medical Center include:

Renown and Great Basin College Welcome Students to Apply for Respiratory Therapist Training Program

Train to become a respiratory therapist and work with the healthcare team to help diagnose, treat and manage conditions to help restore or maintain lung and breathing function. Applications due May 1 for Fall Program

Renown Health’s Pennington Cancer Institute Recognized Among Top 100 Cancer Programs in the U.S.

Renown Health proudly announces that the William N. Pennington Cancer Institute has been named one of the Great Oncology Programs in the United States for 2024 by Becker’s Hospital Review. This prestigious recognition highlights the Institute’s commitment to excellence in patient care and innovative treatment options.

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