Caring Greatly

Heart of Safety Coalition
  • 4.9 (16)
  • Health & Fitness
  • Updated Semimonthly

Caring Greatly is a destination where listeners are inspired to grow, lead and drive transformation to improve healthcare. This interview-style podcast creates space for people to share their perspective and connect to human-centered stories that reveal solutions, spark innovation and provide hope for a safer and brighter future of caring. The podcast is hosted by Stryker's Heart of Safety Coalition, a national community healthcare leaders, learners and advocates working to improve the safety and wellbeing of all who work in healthcare.

  1. 3h ago

    Creating trust and psychological safety with new team members: Leadership lessons from a locum tenens emergency physician – Helena Halasz, MD

    Emergency medicine requires clinicians to build trust quickly, often in high-stakes situations and under significant pressure. For locum tenens physicians, whose work assignments are temporary, the challenges with building trusted relationships with new team members can be compounded by the uncertainty of varying organizational cultures and navigating unfamiliar environments inside and outside the hospital. In this episode of Caring Greatly, emergency physician Helena Halasz, MD, shares how she fosters human connections and creates psychological safety when joining new care teams. From early introductions to encouraging questions from residents and new nurses, Helena describes the small behaviors that can establish an environment of openness and mutual respect, even when relationships may last from only a single shift to a few weeks. Helena also explores the realities of navigating high-stress situations in the emergency department, including caring for aggressive or combative patients. She reflects on learning to balance respect for patient autonomy with her responsibility to protect care team members, and how transparently communicating her clinical reasoning is a practice that can help build trust when her approach differs from established practices at a location. The conversation also examines what healthcare organizations can do more broadly to support locums clinicians. Helena discusses the importance of thoughtful onboarding, access to safety reporting systems, closing the loop when incidents are reported, and proactively providing information about physical safety and workplace resources. Ultimately, she argues that leadership is not dependent on tenure or title: the energy and behaviors clinicians bring into a shift can influence the psychological and emotional safety of everyone around them. Helena Halasz, MD, is an emergency medicine physician who works as a locum tenens attending across many U.S. healthcare facilities. Her experience moving between clinical environments gives her a unique perspective on team culture, psychological safety, workplace violence and the ways individual clinicians can contribute to safer, more connected care environments. Helena Halasz is a leader who cares greatly. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Stryker. The provided resources may contain links to external websites or third-party content. We do not endorse, control or assume any responsibility for the accuracy, relevance, legality or quality of the information found on these external sites. Stryker Corporation or its divisions or other corporate affiliated entities own, use or have applied for the following trademarks or service marks: Caring Greatly, Stryker. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners or holders.

  2. Sep 22

    The Pitt and the importance of protecting care team safety and humanity | Mel Herbert, MD, FACEP

    Physicians, nurses and other care team members working in hospitals and health systems are often asked to move through trying and traumatic moments that put their emotional, psychological and physical safety at risk without having time or resources to fully process what they’ve experienced. In the course of 30 minutes, they may witness the death of a child and deliver devastating news to a family. Within the same hour they may encounter a patient who lashes out with verbal threats or physical violence. Being a healthcare professional requires enormous skill and humanity, and the weight of it all can take a toll. Mel Herbert, MD, FACEP, describes the cumulative stress and cognitive burden as something clinicians can carry with them over the course of an entire career with the load getting heavier and heavier with each experience. Mel is an emergency physician, educator, entrepreneur and founder of EM:RAP. He is also a medical consultant and writer on The Pitt, an Emmy award winning medical drama. Mel’s decades of experience help put the spotlight on human-centered stories in healthcare, bringing more awareness to the difficult and diverse realities that healthcare professionals face every hour of their shift. In this episode of Caring Greatly, Liz Boehm talks with Mel about what it takes to protect healthcare professionals across the three pillars of care team safety: psychological and emotional safety, dignity and inclusion, and physical safety. Mel doesn’t shy away from addressing the need to normalize meaningful mental health support for clinicians, the stigma surrounding substance use disorder, and the importance of creating pathways to treatment and recovery. He also talks about the importance of courage and grace when a team member learns that a colleague may need help. They also explore the persistent realities of workplace violence in healthcare and the limits of asking individuals or single departments to solve problems that are fundamentally systemic. At the center of the conversation is a reminder of why this work matters: humanity. Mel shares personal stories from decades in emergency medicine about patients who challenged him, changed him and reminded him that every person has a story. He reflects on leadership, grief, caring without judgment and the importance of preserving human connection even in the most difficult circumstances. As he explains, holding on to that humanity can make the work even more meaningful, but clinicians also need systems and support that help them carry its emotional, psychological and physical weight. Mel Herbert is a leader who cares greatly. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Stryker. The provided resources may contain links to external websites or third-party content. We do not endorse, control or assume any responsibility for the accuracy, relevance, legality or quality of the information found on these external sites. Stryker Corporation or its divisions or other corporate affiliated entities own, use or have applied for the following trademarks or service marks: Code Lavender, Caring Greatly, Stryker. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners or holders.

  3. Sep 8

    Humans at the heart of healthcare: Why care team safety matters

    Healthcare is built on science, technology, systems and processes, but at the heart of healthcare are humans. For more than three decades, Liz Boehm has studied healthcare organizations, spent hundreds of hours inside hospitals and spoken with thousands of clinicians and healthcare leaders. Across those experiences, one conclusion has remained constant: patient safety starts with care team safety. In this milestone episode of Caring Greatly, Liz turns the microphone, and camera, on herself to share some experiences that shaped her work and her belief in creating safer, more human-centered healthcare environments. She reflects on growing up across cultures, working in a rural health center with the Peace Corps, building a career in healthcare research and listening to hundreds of clinicians and other care team members describe the realities of burnout, moral injury, wellbeing and organizational change. Liz also shares the stories that have stayed with her, from a physician who rediscovered his love of medicine by reconnecting with his values, to a nursing ethicist who challenged her to think differently about what organizational budgets reveal, to a bedside nurse using Heart of Safety Coalition resources to bring Code Lavender to her own team. Together, these experiences demonstrate that meaningful change can come from leaders at every level of an organization, with or without formal authority. As Caring Greatly enters its next chapter and adds video after seven years as an audio-only podcast, its purpose remains the same: to amplify voices that advance psychological and emotional safety, dignity and inclusion, and physical safety for those who work in healthcare. Liz Boehm is Executive Strategist of the Heart of Safety Coalition and host of the Caring Greatly podcast. Her work has spanned healthcare research, strategy and care team safety, with a focus on identifying and sharing the practices that make healthcare safer and more sustainable for the people delivering care. Liz Boehm is a leader who cares greatly. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Stryker. The provided resources may contain links to external websites or third-party content. We do not endorse, control or assume any responsibility for the accuracy, relevance, legality or quality of the information found on these external sites. Stryker Corporation or its divisions or other corporate affiliated entities own, use or have applied for the following trademarks or service marks: Code Lavender, Caring Greatly, Stryker. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners or holders.

  4. Aug 25

    Self-regulation: from individual skill to system-wide strategy | Jennifer Luer, DNP, RN, CPPS, CPHQ

    Self-regulation is the ability to recognize and manage our emotional, mental and physical responses to stress so we can think clearly, make sound decisions, and engage effectively with others. In healthcare and other high-pressure environments, self-regulation helps individuals move beyond instinctive "fight, flight or freeze" reactions and respond with intention, empathy and professionalism. In this episode of Caring Greatly, Jennifer Luer, DNP, RN, CPPS, CPHQ, System Director of Employee Safety and Wellbeing at SSM Health, explores the powerful role of self-regulation in healthcare leadership and workplace safety. Drawing on her journey from critical care nurse to system leader, Jennifer shares how personal experience, patient safety work, and a passion for supporting care team members shaped her approach to building a healthier, safer work environment at SSM. Jennifer also discusses why employee wellbeing deserves dedicated focus, how self-regulation helps individuals stay grounded under pressure, and why creating a culture of safety requires both personal skills and system-level support. From workplace violence (WPV) prevention to leadership communication, self-regulation techniques allow individuals to regain balance during challenging moments, reduce burnout, improve communication, strengthen relationships, and maintain the capacity to provide safe, high-quality care and effective leadership. Jennifer is a registered nurse and system leader specializing in healthcare safety and quality through evidence-based best practices and continuous improvement. Her work centers on advancing emotional, physical and psychological safety for care team members and patients alike. Pursing her passion and purpose as a nurse, she joined SSM Health in 2007. Jennifer also has than 11 years of experience in process improvement, event investigation and root cause analysis. In June 2021, she transitioned into her role as System Director of Employee Safety, following leadership of Regulatory, Infection Prevention, Risk, Quality and Patient Safety. Jennifer has been instrumental in designing and implementing the Care for Caregivers program, including systemwide education on the second-victim phenomenon. She has also helped lead key initiatives such as the rollout of WPV prevention training, simplified single-icon WPV reporting, proactive EHR workflows for violence risk, and standardized tools that support a holistic approach to care team safety. Dr. Jennifer Luer is a leader who cares greatly. Related links: Article: Built on safety, powered by peopleJennifer Luer on LinkedIn The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Stryker. The provided resources may contain links to external websites or third-party content. We do not endorse, control or assume any responsibility for the accuracy, relevance, legality or quality of the information found on these external sites. Stryker Corporation or its divisions or other corporate affiliated entities own, use or have applied for the following trademarks or service marks: Caring Greatly, Stryker. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners or holders.

  5. Aug 11

    Finding safety in the body: Trauma resilience support for care team members – Marie Nutter, BSN, RN, CNOR

    At some point in their training or careers, most clinicians will experience intense stress, suffering, loss and critical incidents that can have lasting impacts on their psychological and emotional safety. Despite the prevalence of traumatic stress in healthcare settings, most care team members are not taught about the effects it can have on their mind and bodies. As a result, they normalize traumatic stress symptoms such as exhaustion, difficulty concentrating, emotional disconnection, or the inability to be fully present. In this episode of Caring Greatly, Marie Nutter, BSN, RN, CNOR, a practicing perioperative nurse and trauma-sensitive yoga educator, explores how traumatic stress shows up in the lives and bodies of healthcare workers. Marie describes how traumatic stress gets internalized when stress, grief and loss go unprocessed over time. Drawing from both her professional experience as a nurse and her own journey through personal loss, Marie shares how care team members often learn to push through adversity, only to discover that unresolved stress eventually returns through exhaustion, disconnection and difficulty of concentrating or being fully present. The conversation delves into the power of trauma-informed approaches to healing, including the role of body awareness, grounding practices and trauma-sensitive yoga. Marie explains how small, intentional moments of reconnecting with the body can help restore a sense of choice, presence and control. She also offers reflections on what healthcare organizations and leaders can do to better support their teams, emphasizing that trauma recovery is a shared responsibility that begins with recognizing that trauma is a natural adaptive response. Additionally, leaders can offer compassionate support and provide access to trauma-informed resources. As a seasoned nurse at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, a trauma-sensitive yoga facilitator, and founder of Mayday Yoga, LLC, Marie educates people about the effects of traumatic stress and loss and how they might mitigate day-to-day exposure in real-time. Through 15 years of navigating high demands of perioperative nursing, 10 years of personal yoga practice, and seven years of offering trauma-informed wellness services to the healthcare community, Marie has learned that people’s professional and human credibility are not defined by their ability to withstand difficult work-life events. In 2020, Marie was named an example of resiliency by Psychology Today Magazine, and she continues to offer individuals and work teams an opportunity to tap into their own inner wellness. Marie Nutter is a leader who cares greatly. Related links: Website: Mayday YogaArticle: 5 Mind-Body Exercises to Help Reduce Traumatic Stress Book: Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Stryker. The provided resources may contain links to external websites or third-party content. We do not endorse, control or assume any responsibility for the accuracy, relevance, legality or quality of the information found on these external sites. Stryker Corporation or its divisions or other corporate affiliated entities own, use or have applied for the following trademarks or service marks: Code Lavender, Caring Greatly, Stryker. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners or holders.

  6. Jul 28

    The Emotional PPE Project: Improving care team members’ access to mental and emotional health resources – Daniel Saddawi-Konefka, MD, MBA

    Healthcare professionals experience rates of burnout, depression, anxiety and other mental and emotional health challenges that often exceed those of the general population. Yet many clinicians never seek support due to stigma, concerns about confidentiality, logistical barriers, or fear of professional repercussions. As a result, many continue caring for others while silently struggling themselves. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Daniel Saddawi-Konefka founded the Emotional PPE Project to help address these challenges by connecting healthcare workers with mental health professionals willing to provide confidential, pro bono support. What began as an immediate response to an unprecedented crisis has grown into a broader effort to reduce barriers to care while advocating for lasting cultural and systemic change across healthcare. In this episode of Caring Greatly, Daniel joins Liz to discuss why he intentionally talks about both mental and emotional health, the three primary barriers that prevent healthcare professionals from seeking care, and why solving the problem requires more than resilience training. They also explore the role leaders play in shaping organizational culture, the importance of modeling vulnerability, and the policy, educational, and organizational changes needed to create healthcare environments where seeking support is viewed as a sign of strength rather than weakness. Dr. Daniel Saddawi-Konefka is a physician, researcher, and founder of the Emotional PPE Project. He is a leader who cares greatly. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Stryker. The provided resources may contain links to external websites or third-party content. We do not endorse, control or assume any responsibility for the accuracy, relevance, legality or quality of the information found on these external sites.

  7. Mar 30

    Getting rid of stupid stuff (GROSS) at scale – Jennifer Bissram, MS, MBA, and Emily Kertcher, PhD, OTR/L

    “Getting Rid of Stupid Stuff,” or GROSS, is a healthcare improvement approach first introduced by Dr. Melinda Ashton at Hawaii Pacific Health in a 2018 New England Journal of Medicine article. Originally focused on empowering clinicians to identify and eliminate unnecessary EHR tasks to reduce administrative burden and improve joy in practice, GROSS has since gained momentum as a broader movement to improve care team safety and wellbeing. At UNC Health, Jennifer Bissram, MSIS, MBA, and Emily Kertcher, PhD, OTR/L, are members of a team focused on ease of practice for clinicians. They took the idea of GROSS, which is often applied in a single unit or department, and scaled it across the organization. They also expanded it beyond the EHR and technical issues to allow clinicians to identify pebbles, rocks and boulders (small irritants to major obstacles) anywhere in their workflows or work environments that cause distraction, create inefficiencies or reduce clinical effectiveness. In this episode of Caring Greatly, Emily and Jennifer talk about the inspiration behind their team’s efforts to scale GROSS across the health system, as well asthe steps required to make the scaled-up program work. They also discuss why it’s necessary to focus on building trust and relationships to drive program success well beyond operational excellence. Jennifer Bissram and Emily Kertcher are leaders who care greatly. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Stryker. The provided resources may contain links to external websites or third-party content. We do not endorse, control or assume any responsibility for the accuracy, relevance, legality or quality of the information found on these external sites.

    Getting rid of stupid stuff (GROSS) at scale – Jennifer Bissram, MS, MBA, and Emily Kertcher, PhD, OTR/L

  8. Feb 25

    Physician-led workplace violence prevention and response – Jason Stopyra, MD, MS

    When a workplace violence (WPV) event occurs in a healthcare setting, physicians can be good de-escalation partners for nurses and other care team members. In this episode of Caring Greatly, Jason Stopyra, MD, MS, Enterprise Vice President of Public Safety at Advocate Health, talks about how his experiences as an emergency medical technician (EMT) and an emergency physician shaped his perspective and led him to his current role. Dr. Stopyra shares what changes when a physician leads public safety and how it can shift the culture around WPV prevention and response. He also talks about how he centers WPV efforts around his love of people, his deep understanding of clinical perspectives and workflows, and various patient conditions and challenges.   As the Enterprise VP of Public Safety Dr. Stopyra oversees security operations across more than 70 acute care sites and 1,000 ambulatory locations, leading a team of more than 1,500 officers. He also directs the enterprise WPV mitigation strategy and is responsible for public safety training, investigations, physical security technology and Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM).  Additionally, Dr. Stopyra is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Emergency Medicine and Implementation Science at Wake Forest School of Medicine. His combined clinical expertise and dedication to public safety helps advance the safety and wellbeing of care team members and the patients they serve.    Jason Stopyra is a leader who cares greatly.    The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Stryker. The provided resources may contain links to external websites or third-party content. We do not endorse, control or assume any responsibility for the accuracy, relevance, legality or quality of the information found on these external sites.

    Physician-led workplace violence prevention and response – Jason Stopyra, MD, MS
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4.9
out of 5
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About

Caring Greatly is a destination where listeners are inspired to grow, lead and drive transformation to improve healthcare. This interview-style podcast creates space for people to share their perspective and connect to human-centered stories that reveal solutions, spark innovation and provide hope for a safer and brighter future of caring. The podcast is hosted by Stryker's Heart of Safety Coalition, a national community healthcare leaders, learners and advocates working to improve the safety and wellbeing of all who work in healthcare.

Information

  • Creator
    Heart of Safety Coalition
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    117
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Heart of Safety Coalition
  • Show Website
    Caring Greatly