How can a small wellness team meaningfully engage over 20,000 employees across a massive health system? The team at the University of Kansas Health System discovered the answer is not just about physical health, and that traditional programs often miss the key ingredients for deep engagement: purpose and community.

By focusing on gratitude and giving back, UKHS has built a program that unites its workforce, strengthens the community, and has generated a ripple effect transforming their challenges from simple step-counting competitions into powerful, purpose-driven movements. Learn how Sahn Lucas and Janelle Shafer used a flexible platform and a network of champions to scale their impact, and how they partnered with other major corporations to donate hundreds of volunteer hours to local causes.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 – Building Flexible Wellbeing Programs That Scale
00:38 – Gratitude in Action at UKHS Health System
01:54 – Purpose-Driven Wellness Careers and Team Culture
04:31 – Creating Empathy and Community Inside UKHS
06:01 – Configurable Wellness Technology for Real-World Needs
08:31 – Blending Digital Tools With Human Connection
10:03 – Powering a 100+ Wellness Champion Network
11:36 – Driving Community Partnerships and Competitive Challenges
16:30 – Step Into Spring + Caring for KC: Culture-Building Events
20:49 – Measuring Impact Through Steps, Volunteer Hours, and Engagement
24:25 – Sustaining Year-Round Engagement With Creative Initiatives
28:41 – Best Day Ever

Key Takeaways:

"Our programming is a launching pad. Take our core concepts and go crazy. The best ideas come from our clients."

"Gratitude in action builds community. It connects people to purpose and enhances well-being."

"Culture at UKHS is community-based and family-oriented, focusing on empathy and patient care."

"Gratitude at work is about building relationships and rapport. It's a priority in personal and professional life."

"Community challenges create camaraderie and positive results. Competition leads to service and outreach."

"Digital tools and face-to-face interactions go hand in hand. Relationships help us tailor resources to needs."

"Gratitude isn't just a feeling; it's an action. It creates a ripple effect, impacting lives and communities."

Resources:

Who is Navigate? Learn more at navigatewell.com

Learn more about the ROI of employee wellbeing - https://info.navigatewell.com/roi-whitepaper

University of Kansas Health System: https://www.kansashealthsystem.com/