Creative Health Care Management would like to acknowledge Leah Satonica and Rachel Algeo, authors of “Designing a Supportive Culture to Flourish Together” published in the December 2024 Journal of Nursing Management column, “Relationships Matter.”
The authors describe the proud history of Grady Memorial Hospital, located in the heart of Atlanta. Grady is recognized as an early leader, treating all people with the same intentions of quality and compassionate care regardless of race or socioeconomic status, and that proud legacy continues today.
Since 1892 Grady’s mission emphasizes the delivery of quality, comprehensive health care in a compassionate, culturally competent, and ethical manner. Grady recognizes the health care team as equally important when extending compassion and connection. Leah and Rachel share the use of Relationship-Based Care as a transformative foundation for a culture of compassion and excellence by promoting psychological safety, empathy, respect, and mutual support. Using their shared leadership structure, the staff are able to study outcomes and identify the best interventions.
The team Leah and Rachel work with identified the need to support colleagues, especially during difficult and intense experiences. Working with their teams they designed the multi-disciplinary Relationship-Based Care Council focusing on an opportunity to learn and develop strategies to remind ourselves and each other that a healthy connection, relating to each other (regardless of discipline), and how we care for ourselves matters. It rests on the idea that we can’t pour from an empty cup.
What is “Love-Bombing”?
One of the first RBC Council initiatives is affectionately known as “Love-Bombing.” Love Bombing is offered to other units/departments that might need to be noticed or given a compassionate boost. The monthly Love Bomb entails council members donating self-care items for a basket to be delivered to the in-need unit. A second basket is designed to pass organically among departments. The department that is holding the “Love Bomb” basket listens for another department and recognizes a need, such as a traumatic event or a hardship, the basket is filled again with self-care gifts and paid forward. Both baskets have self-care items, donated and collected solely by the RBC council. “Love Bombing” is one of many creative exemplars being sparked in the organizations as we look for opportunities to strengthen the relationships that we have with ourselves and colleagues.
We would love to hear more about your experiences and stories. How do you find joy and purpose in your work and relationships? How are you helping others know their joy?
Kathleen Van Wagoner MSN, RN, MSA
Kathleen is an accomplished mentor and developer of people, programs, and culture. As a highly successful former nurse executive in clinical administration, program design, and project management, she is skilled in all aspects of care provision. She brings to her consulting work an in-depth knowledge of clinical operations, academics, research, and health care finance. She is dedicated to establishing high quality, caring relationships between health care providers and the patients and families in their care.
