A Sweet Suprise

I recently bid farewell to my incredible tenure at Parkview Health, and my colleague Lori Whitman orchestrated the sweetest surprise on my last day. 💖

For years, Lori, with a sprinkle of assistance from Jana Vastbinder, Brian Spahr, Jon Swanson, and others, curated a daily dose of inspiration known as the "Daily Dose Express." 💌

This daily ritual has been a beacon of encouragement for our hundreds of coworkers, and it holds a special place in my heart.

On October 26, my farewell day, Lori unearthed a forgotten quote of mine. It read:

"Who are you? When you stop answering that question with your job title, you are on the path to a happier life. You are not, primarily, a job code. You are a human; loved, infinite, creative, and unique. You are a fingerprint. The only 'you' that the world will ever know. Your job is just one of the current expressions of your ultimate self."

Little did I remember this gem, but Lori brought it back into my world at the perfect moment. 🌟 It resonated deeply with me as I closed this chapter of my career after over ten incredible years.

And yes, a tear or two may have escaped. 😢 Grateful for the memories, the lessons, and the amazing colleagues who made this journey unforgettable. Here's to new beginnings and cherishing the essence of our true selves! 🚀💕 #LifeBeyondJobTitles #GratitudeInGoodbye

Carle Health Nurse Wellbeing Event

Last week, I presented to a few hundred nurses Carle Health, thanks to the generosity of Diane Gottheil and the JOSH GOTTHEIL MEMORIAL FUND FOR LYMPHOMA RESEARCH.

Danielle Lawler, MSN, RN, CMSRN, and her team put together a great event for nurses to invest in their well-being, recovery, and resiliency.

Plus, the group was awesome. I followed a presentation by Cara Crumrine, who shared her burnout and self-care journey (awesome!).

Kudos to the team at Carle Health for investing in your most valuable resource--#Nurses!

#NurseAppreciation #Healthcareburnout #burnoutawareness #WellBeingMatters 💙👩‍⚕️🌟

School RN Trip

🔥 Burnout Alert! Which Industries Are Most Affected? 🔥

Ever wondered which industry has the highest burnout rate? It's the education sector. And right behind, in second place, is healthcare.

💬 Last week, I had the privilege of speaking with SCHOOL NURSES in Noblesville. The resonance was palpable. It's not cliche to say that we laughed and cried.

👩‍🏫 "Thank you for helping me name what's happening."

🌟 "Now I realize that burnout isn't my fault."

💙 "Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your story."

It's time to address burnout head-on and support those on the front lines. Let's start the conversation! 💪🌟

Oh, and I took my 15 y/o with me. A little Top Golf never hurt anyone.

#BurnoutAwareness #Education #Healthcare #WellbeingInWork #topgolf #bucketlist

New Adventure

🗣 In fifth grade, my class had to memorize and deliver Patrick Henry's speech "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!" 💪

My friends hated the assignment—scared to death of public speaking 😨, but I was thrilled. Not only did I enthusiastically deliver the speech, I mimed Henry's action (stabbing himself for effect) 🗡️, and collapsed on my friend Landon's desk 😅.

Since that day, I knew God made me (in part) for public speaking 🎙️.

All of my jobs incorporated speaking and teaching. But now, I am all in.

After ten years in healthcare and twenty-five years in ministry, I am now a full-time speaker, writer, and consultant.

🌟 What do I do?

I make difficult conversations easier for people in helping professions.

In healthcare, my team responded to more than 15,000 deaths, and I've published three non-fiction books about death, dying, and grief. I speak on this topic because dying and grieving people deserve to be treated right. #griefawareness 🕊️

During my tenure, I navigated 500 ethics consults. I taught nurses medical ethics for years, and now I am a professor at Indiana University School of Medicine, teaching ethical decision-making. I speak on this topic because providers deserve support when they face their most difficult cases. #medicalethics 👩‍⚕️

In the fall of 2022, I burned out at work. My body, mind, and spirit gave out. I was depressed and anxious and under the care of multiple doctors. Something had to change. I speak on this topic to help organizations curb burnout and individuals recover from their own experiences. #healthcareburnout 🔥

I am excited (and a little scared) about this new adventure. 🚀

I quit!

📣 Announcement!

📓 This week, I close a chapter. 📅 My last day at Parkview Health is this Thursday, October 26.

🎭 After more than ten years, I feel many mixed emotions.

🙏 However, my primary feeling is one of deep gratitude.

I have worked with some amazing people and had some great leaders (Ben Miles, Ann Lantz, and Curtis Smith to name a few).

🙏 I can't begin to list every opportunity I had while at Parkview, serving as the Director of Dignity and the Ethics Chairperson. All I can do is reflect. And be thankful.

When coworkers learned about my departure, many sent kind notes. Sifting through them last night, I discovered themes to their compliments. They were primarily thankful for my 1) Support, 2) Compassion, and 3) Calm approach.

Here's the kicker.

👥 Anyone can display these characteristics. I didn't need special talents or training to be supportive, kind, or calm.

📢 What's next? I will be speaking and writing more than ever.

#Burnoutawareness, #Medicalethics, and #Griefsupport are the topics I am passionate about, and I can't wait to raise awareness about each of these topics.

Thank you, Parkview.

"And in case I don't see you; good afternoon, good evening, and good night." -Truman Burbank 😆