In this episode, Dr. Stephen Swensen discusses his work at Mayo Clinic to create thriving, ideal work environments. His most recent book, Mayo Clinic Strategies to Reduce Burnout - 12 Actions to Create the Ideal Workplace, outlines four evidence based elements of an ideal workplace: agency, belonging, collective effervescence and positivity.

Dr. Swensen is a recognized expert, speaker and inter-disciplinary researcher in wellbeing, leadership and organizational development. For 35 years, he served patients at Mayo Clinic as a clinician, scientist, educator and leader. He serves as a senior fellow of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and a transformational fellow at The NARBHA Institute.

Expert: Dr. Stephen Swensen, senior fellow, Institute for Healthcare Improvement; transformational fellow, NARBHA Institute; professor emeritus, Mayo Clinic

Notable topics covered:

• The role leadership plays in creating healthy, thriving work environments
• The elements of an ideal workplace: agency, belonging, collective effervescence and positivity
• How People-Centered Kind Leaders cultivate work communities that allow people to optimize their positive life assessment and healthspan

Links:

• Steve Swensen (LinkedIn)
• Mayo Clinic
• Mayo Clinic Strategies to Reduce Burnout - 12 Actions to Create the Ideal Workplace
• Institute for Healthcare Improvement
• The NARBHA Institute
• Leading with Kindness

In this episode, Chris Siebenaler shares how his nearly 25-year Houston Methodist career has shaped his perspective on how to drive continuous improvement. As executive vice president of network hospitals, Siebenaler shares how incorporating lean management principals and daily management systems have empowered physicians and staff to identify issues, track performance and implement solutions.

Expert: Chris Siebenaler, executive vice president of network hospitals, Houston Methodist

Notable topics covered:

• Fostering continuous improvement and frontline engagement through lean management
• Creating a culture of excellence through transparency and staff empowerment
• Quality is not just metrics — it’s about meaningful experiences for patients and caregivers
  
  

Links:

• Chris Siebenaler LinkedIn
• Dr. Eric Dickson: How Lean Management Transformed a Health Care System | Quality Time Podcast
• Examining the Relationship Between the Lean Management System and Quality Improvement Care Management Processes
• Lean Management — The Journey from Toyota to Healthcare

In this episode, Dr. Bryan Sexton, discusses how emotional exhaustion and burnout impact clinical outcomes—and how measuring and improving well-being through bite-sized interventions can lead to better teamwork, leadership and patient care.

Expert: J. Bryan Sexton, Ph.D., chief wellness officer of Duke Health Integrated Practice and director of the Duke Center for the Advancement of Well-being Science.

Notable Topics Covered:

• Measuring clinician well-being to predict and improve quality outcomes
• Addressing well-being through bite-sized Interventions

Links:

• Bryan Sexton (LinkedIn)
• Dr. J. Bryan Sexton (Duke Profile)
• Duke Center for the Advancement of Well-being Science Bite-Sized Resources