Trail Blazing Healthcare Careerists: Wellbeing in the Workplace at WellSpan Health

NCHL presents the Trailblazing Healthcare Careerist, a series part of the Guide for the Healthcare Early Careerist. It provides the perspectives of seasoned healthcare executives and changemakers in a variety of workplace issues that early careerists often need help navigating.

This episode focuses on wellbeing in the workplace. What is wellbeing? | How is WellSpan addressing wellbeing and burnout? | What can early careerists do in this space to move agendas forward? are all questions being answered by Dr. Michael Diller and Dr. Ridge Salter, members of the dyad leadership team at WellSpan Health.

• What makes you stand out from your peers or colleagues?

Mike: I never really look at myself as standing out from other peers or colleagues, but rather I focus on how I can better myself each day. It’s an open invitation for me to strive toward being and doing better.

Ridge: I think what makes the work that Mike and I are doing a little unique is that the focus of our work is on improving the work life of our people. If we can achieve a significant level of employee wellbeing then we can succeed in so many of our other health system goals like quality, safety, and patient experience.

• Who needs to know you so you can reach your goals?

Mike: I am a big believer in building bridges and fostering connections. With respect to the Wellbeing work, it’s important to connect and grow relationships with many people to include our most senior leaders.

Ridge: Our employees need to know that there is a team dedicated to their work life wellbeing and have easy access to the resources that are available to them.

• What are your values?

Mike: Be kind, Do the right thing, stay humble.

Ridge: Compassion, Growth, Service.

• What’s your ultimate career goal?

Mike: I ultimately want to be a difference maker, a positive light in someone else’s life, in whatever way I can do that.

Ridge: We want this work to make a difference in the everyday work life and careers of our colleagues. If at the end of my career I can feel that our work made a difference in making WellSpan a great place to care for patients and care for each other, then we will have achieved our goals.

• Who makes up your support system?

Mike: I lean into my faith as foundation and I am beyond grateful for the support of my family, friends and colleagues, especially those who Ridge and I refer to as kindred spirits in the wellbeing work we are collectively bringing to life.

Ridge: I am so blessed to have a strong Christian faith foundation. I am blessed to have an incredibly supportive wife, parents, and blessed with wonderful kids and extended family. But I’m also blessed to have groups of friends and a wonderful collection of supportive colleagues.

• What brings you joy?

Mike: A great cup of coffee, a smile and big hug from a friend, catching up with a colleague or friend, seeing someone overcome a challenge and thrive, leaning on a trusted friend when in need, staring up at a beautiful cloudscape, walking along the coast with the ocean breeze and saltwater rushing over my feet.

Ridge: Mostly it’s to be loved and to love. But also, the incredible opportunity to connect with people which provides great meaning and purpose to my life. I believe we were put on this earth to care for each other, so when I can do that, it brings me joy.

• What is your superpower – the thing you do better than anyone else?

Mike: Offering Hope and Light. Lifting others up.

Ridge: Connecting. I believe my gifts lie in the ability to connect with a wide range of people, which is why I was drawn to family medicine.

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