Connecting with Purpose at Covenant Health

Join us as we explore how Covenant Health is revolutionizing patient care and staff well-being through Code Lavender, a unique program designed to address the emotional and psychological needs of healthcare professionals. Connie Gonzales joins the podcast to introduce Code Lavender and how the program started at Covenant. Discover the importance of fostering a supportive environment for healthcare teams and learn how Code Lavender is reshaping the landscape of healthcare by prioritizing not only the physical but also the emotional health of those dedicated to healing others.

In this episode, we dive into the evolution of Code Lavender, a groundbreaking program that started as an innovative idea and has grown into a transformative force in healthcare.Danya Cheek and Collin Wilcox are in the studio to explore the vision behind Code Lavender's creation and the initial steps taken to integrate it into Covenant Health's culture. Discover how Code Lavender has evolved and developed over time, adapting to the ever-changing landscape of healthcare. Hear firsthand accounts of its impact on both staff and patients, as well as the lessons learned along the way. 

Join us on an enlightening journey as Chris and Daniel delve into the captivating world of physician leadership and explore the profound lessons learned from the timeless Sermon on the Mount with Dr. Sammy Deeb.

Senior Program Manager for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Jericka Parker wraps up this series. She provides perspective on where individuals can start on their inclusion and respect journeys and how that foundational knowledge of our own implicit biases form our heart space.

The final Caregiver Resource Group to join Chris in the studio is Operation Military Appreciation Committee, or OMAC. Executive Sponsors Connie Gonzales and Chris Gould, as well as current chair Danya Cheek, share their involvement with the CRG, some of the benefits they are providing to our veteran patients, and how interested caregivers can get involved.

Chris Lancaster is joined by one of the chairs of the Covenant Young Professionals CRG, Meredith Cunningham. Meredith talks about the goals she has for the group and how they plan to support young caregivers on their career journeys.

Kimberly Martinez and Jessica Stafford, leaders of the prism Caregiver Resource Group continue the discussion highlighting CRGs at Covenant Health. The prism CRG focus specifically on LGBTQIA+ individuals and caregivers. Kimberly and Jessica share their experiences navigating the complex realities and conversations surrounding identifying as LGBTQIA+ in a faith-based ministry.

Chris & Daniel welcome in the leaders of the Black Caregiver Resource Group, Rochelle Bell and Ubong Okpon. They discuss the efforts the group has undertaken and how they are hoping to bring healthcare access into the community and ways they hope to help caregivers progress in their careers.

Manos Unidas chair Barbara Corral joins Chris and Daniel in the studio to kick off the highlights of the Caregiver Resource Groups. Manos Unidas is the CRG chartered to support Hispanic and Latino caregivers at Covenant Health. Hear Barbara describe what Manos is working on and how they are contributing not only to our caregivers' lives but also to the community.

Chris and Daniel kick off a new series on the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion efforts happening at Covenant Health. In this first episode, they welcome Kevin McConic, Chief Diversity Officer for the Providence Central Division, to introduce the topic of DEI and then set up future episodes focusing on the Caregiver Resource Groups available at Covenant.

Chris and Daniel welcome Glenn Robinson, former executive with the Baylor Scott & White Health system and host of the Chase What Matters Podcast, to discuss some of the challenges leaders face in today's healthcare environment.

Chris and Daniel wrap up the Workplace Safety series and welcome Lindzi Timberlake, former regoinal counsel for Covenant Health. Lindzi discusses the legal side of caregivers dealing with workplace violence and what resources and opportunities caregivers have available to them following a violent interaction.

As part of the Workplace Safety series, Rae Brockman and Kaitlyn Cartwright, mental health counselors and therapists with Optum, join Daniel in the studio to discuss resources available for caregivers who may have experienced workplace violence or a traumatic experience.

The Workplace Safety series hears the final caregiver story of the series as Emilio Sanchez joins Chris and Daniel in the studio. Emilio shares his experience facing a violent situation that evolved into an altercation over a weapon.

Emily Stevenson shares her experiences as a caregiver in the Workplace Safety series. Emily, a critical care nurse serving in the surgical ICU, discusses as workplace violence situation she experienced with Chris and Daniel.

Chris and Daniel bring in Shannon Charlton, manager of Guest Services, to discuss how her department and caregivers are the first faces patients and guests see as they enter. She speaks to the challenges with acting as the front door of the organization especially through facing the uncertainty of the Covid Pandemic.

Daniel welcomes Vanessa Milam back into the studio, accompanied by Amber Kelly, RN and charge nurse in the CMC ER. Amber and Vanessa share more caregiver workplace safety experiences from the ER.

Daniel welcomes Vanessa Milam, nurse manager at Covenant Medical Center Emergency Room, and Sergio Cervantez, ER Tech. Vanessa and Sergio share some caregiver workplace safety experiences from the ER.

Chris and Daniel welcome Cindi Kenady, Regional Safety Officer, and James Barr, Security Manager, to discuss some of the resources and classes available to caregivers, as well as provide some tips to help caregivers avoid violent and dangerous situations.

The Workplace Safety series continues with a look at the Workplace Violence Committee with April Hays and Jason De La Cruz. April and Jason are leaders serving on the Workplace Violence Committee and they share purpose of the Committee and some resources for caregivers.

Chris and Daniel explore a new topic on the Connecting with Purpose Podcast and look at Workplace Safety. This new series will feature stories from caregiver experiences, the processes and protocols in place to protect caregivers, and resources for caregivers who may have experienced a violent event. The series kicks off with Mike Finley who approached Daniel about this topic and shares he perspective about the current state of workplace safety at Covenant Health.

Chris and Daniel kick off a new podcast format to highlight the great work of caregivers leading from the front lines. In this episode, hear the story about how Mark Sanders leads out from his faith and connects caregivers and patients through the power of prayer.

Chris and Daniel wrap up the miniseries on Generational Differences by welcoming Susan and Andrew back into the studio. Together, Susan and Andrew wrap up their thoughts on how to best operate in the workplace with such a wide range of ages and tenures.

Chris and Daniel continue the miniseries on Generational Differences in Leadership by hosting Human Resources Business Partner and generational differences expert Jennifer Hallgren. Jennifer discusses how the different generations view work life, how communication expectations differ, and how to begin bridging the generational gap leaders will face in their departments.

Chris and Daniel continue the miniseries on Generational Differences in Leadership. In this episode, they host a newer leader in the organization, Andrew Johnston, and discuss how he addresses and approaches generational differences within his department.

Chris and Daniel kick off a new miniseries on Generational Differences in Leadership by hosting a tenured leader within the organization, Susan Stegemoeller. Susan has been in a leadership role for nearly 30 years and discusses how she addresses and approaches generational differences within her department.

On this episode of Connecting with Purpose, hear Chris and Daniel talk about our international recruiting efforts. They are joined by Terri Morris and Catherine Albano to discuss the work to find the very best nurses from the Philippines and how they transition to living and working in West Texas.

Chris and Daniel are joined by Dr. Katie Hendley on how she got into medicine and neurology, and how to break down barriers between caregivers, administration, and providers.

Hear Chris and Daniel talk about how to successfully implement Huddles into your departments and teams, how a good Huddle is run, and how to approach caregivers who are hesitant about holding Huddles.

Chris and Daniel discuss how Epic can simplify processes, benefits to patients, and celebrating ways caregivers have embraced Epic.

Chris and Daniel give their first impressions of Epic, the "bring it on" mentality, and how Epic can empower caregivers.