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, UKH 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 UKH Health System

01:54 – Purpose-Driven Wellness Careers and Team Culture

04:31 – Creating Empathy and Community Inside UKH

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 UKH 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/

Troy is joined by two exceptional leaders today - Ryan Kellogg, Senior Vice President of Sales at Talkspace and a U.S. Army veteran; and Jenn Lowry, Navigate’s own Vice President of Product and Strategy - for a crucial discussion on shaping the future of workplace well-being. Together, they explore the intersection of authentic leadership, personalized mental health solutions, and practical strategies for preventing HR burnout.

The discussion dives deep into why a one-size-fits-all approach to mental health is no longer sufficient for the modern workforce. Drawing from a powerful lesson learned as a young officer in the military, Ryan explains how leading with the heart is essential for building trust and navigating adversity. Jenn outlines the strategic value of integrating accessible, digital therapy into a holistic well-being ecosystem, emphasizing how data can drive early interventions and proactive support.

Today’s conversation offers a clear roadmap for leaders to better support their people - from veterans in the workplace to the HR professionals on the front lines - by fostering an environment of psychological safety and accessible, high-quality care.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Leading With Heart and Authenticity in the Workplace

01:51 - How Military Leadership Shapes Compassionate Corporate Culture

06:03 - Building a Culture of Care Through Digital Therapy Partnerships

09:36 - Personalizing Mental Health Access During Open Enrollment

13:26 - Using Data Insights to Strengthen Employee Wellbeing Programs

16:24 - Addressing Top Mental Health Challenges: Anxiety, Depression, and Burnout

19:47 - Supporting Teens and Families Through Accessible Digital Therapy

21:37 - Managing HR Stress and Mental Health Spikes in Open Enrollment Season

23:19 - Creating Seamless Member Experiences That Boost Engagement

25:44 - Building Resilience and Purpose Through Culture, Care, and Connection

26:19 - Best Day Ever

Key Takeaways:

"Self-care is such an important part of life. When I think of HR leaders out there, focusing on the stress that you're dealing with in the workplace, but also checking in with yourself."

"We recognize that mental health is such a crucial component of wellness... that self-care aspect that tends to be forgotten."

"We want to make sure that there is 24/7 access to the same therapist with continuity of care in mind."

"How great would it be... to be proactive in their mental health and get them the services before they have those critical measures?"

"Stigma is the number one reason why people are not pursuing mental health resources. If we can go upstream a little bit... I'd like to think that it's a bit more normalized."

"You only have one opportunity to make a first impression... I remember how I felt when I first started with you three years ago... I felt like I was the most important person in the room. That's important."

"When you lead with love and you do good things, the scoreboard always takes care of itself."

Resources:

Who is Navigate? Learn more at navigatewell.com

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

Ryan Kellogg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanjkellogg/

Talkspace: https://www.talkspace.com/

Today’s episode of Navigate’s People First Podcast welcomes Sarah Wheeler, Corporate Wellness Program Manager at Children's Nebraska, who discusses her organization's employee well-being strategy and its connection to patient care. This episode explores their people-first approach, as Children's Nebraska cultivates a wellness program extending beyond conventional health initiatives.

Sarah details Children's Nebraska's employee wellness program, whose design aligns with the ICARE values of Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Excellence, and features dedicated subject matter experts across emotional, social, financial, physical, and community well-being dimensions. Her informative and insightful conversation with Troy and Jeremy here today highlights "radical flexibility" in healthcare while integrating family and community values for support, and demonstrates how data drives program improvements, demonstrating ROI in employee retention and engagement.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Using Data and Values to Drive Employee Engagement

01:29 - Sarah Wheeler’s Journey Into Wellbeing Leadership

03:05 - Designing a Holistic Employee Wellness Program

04:35 - Building a Team of Wellbeing Experts

05:58 - Why Holistic Programs Boost Participation

09:10 - Integrating Family and Community Into Wellness Initiatives

11:50 - Champion Networks and Personalized Communication

13:46 - Volunteerism and Culture as Drivers of Success

15:26 - Proving ROI Through Retention and Engagement Results

16:59 - Supporting Women’s Health and Workplace Flexibility

19:33 - Leveraging Navigate Tools and Data for Better Outcomes

22:34 - Best Day Ever: Celebrating Joy and Purpose at Work

Key Takeaways:

"Healthcare workers care for others before themselves. Our job is to ensure they're cared for too."

"We started our wellness program from scratch, meeting people where they are."

"Holistic programs see better engagement. They meet immediate needs without huge barriers."

"Family is woven into our social well-being. We bring family into the hospital to see behind the scenes."

"Volunteer programs help us understand patient experiences and foster empathy."

"Programs with a giving back aspect are more successful. They bridge cultural and care aspects."

"We've seen a 35% turnover reduction and 26.7-point engagement increase since 2021."

"Radical flexibility helps retain people. We meet employees in their life phase."

"Navigate supports us by reaching people wherever they are, enhancing engagement."

Resources:

Who is Navigate? Learn more at navigatewell.com

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

Sarah Wheeler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahwheelerfitness/