Lucinda Ulibarri: Picture this for a second. It's near the end of a long day. The long day has been busy from the moment you walked in. There were call lights, phone messages, maybe lots of questions from coworkers, or a difficult conversation. You are trying to finish one last task before leaving, and you're already thinking about what's waiting for you at home. And a coworker stops and says, "Before you go, are you okay? Is there anything I can take off your plate?" It's a small moment, but it changes something.

Ann Camp: Because suddenly, you are not carrying the whole day alone.

Sandra Grunwaldt: Exactly. You may still be tired, the day might still have been hard, but you're reminded that you have a team, someone sees and cares about you, and that the work you are doing matters.

Lucinda Ulibarri: That's where we want to begin today. Not with a survey link or a deadline, although we'll absolutely get to both, but with those moments that shape what it feels like to work here. Welcome back to the podcast where we talk about what matters most at San Juan Regional Medical Center. I'm Lucinda Ulibarri from the HR Business Partnership Team.

Ann Camp: I am Anne Camp, and I am also an HR business partner here at San Juan Regional.

Sandra Grunwaldt: And I'm Sandy Grunwaldt, your wellbeing and engagement manager.

Lucinda Ulibarri: Our caregiver engagement survey opened Monday, October 26th. Today, we want to talk less about taking the survey and more about what happens when caregivers use their voice to help shape the workplace around them.

Ann Camp: Lucy, that opening moment feels familiar, because it's not usually one huge event that determines whether we feel connected at work. It's often simply an everyday experience.

Sandra Grunwaldt: So true. Engagement is not about expecting every day to be easy or expecting everyone to be happy all the time. Working in healthcare is meaningful, but we all know it's also demanding, fast-moving, and emotionally heavy.

Lucinda Ulibarri: Engagement is about whether we feel connected to a purpose at work, if we feel supported by our leaders and coworkers, and if we're able to bring our best selves to work even on difficult days.

Sandra Grunwaldt: When we feel heard, that's reflected in the experiences of our patients and families. Patients notice when the person caring for them is present, communicating clearly, and working as part of a coordinated team. There is a ripple effect.

Lucinda Ulibarri: There really is. Support among coworkers leads to better teamwork. Better teamwork creates a more consistent experience for patients, and over time, that supports our mission and values.

Sandra Grunwaldt: And that's why engagement is not just an HR initiative. It's part of how we care for one another, our patients, and our community.

Lucinda Ulibarri: Let's go back to that end-of-day example. Do you ever think, "I don't always know where to go when I need support, or I need a chance to recover after a difficult day"? Those are not small observations. It's useful information.

Ann Camp: And the caregiver engagement survey gives us all a structured, confidential way to share that information.

Sandra Grunwaldt: Yes, Anne. A survey response might feel like one small action. But when we share what's working and what's getting in the way, we start to see patterns. Maybe one team is doing something that helps them feel connected to each other. Another unit is telling us that communication needs attention, or caregivers are signaling that their workload, recognition, well-being, or growth opportunities deserve a closer look.

Lucinda Ulibarri: That's the difference between simply collecting opinions and listening to our caregivers and collecting relevant data to understand what caregivers are experiencing at San Juan Regional.

Sandra Grunwaldt: We don't want you to feel like your feedback disappears into a spreadsheet. The purpose is to understand your experiences and use what we learn to guide conversations and actions.

Ann Camp: And just as important, honest feedback is the most valuable feedback. The positive, the difficult, and everything in between.

Lucinda Ulibarri: For everyone listening, what does engagement mean personally?

Sandra Grunwaldt: Lucy, for me, it comes back to whether I feel like I belong here and I'm supported. When we feel engaged, we have a strong sense of purpose, and we're more likely to go above and beyond to serve those who need us most. It helps make the challenges of working in healthcare more manageable.

Ann Camp: For me, it starts with the small things. A meaningful check-in, a team huddle that actually prepares us for the day, a leader who follows through, a coworker who notices when I need a hand.

Lucinda Ulibarri: Or permission to pause.

Sandra Grunwaldt: Oh, yes. That's a big one. Previous feedback has told us that our caregivers want and need greater support for wellbeing and decompression. We often have to move from one urgent task directly to the next, but even brief moments to reset can matter. That might be a stretch, taking a short walk if you've been sitting, drink some water, take just a few slow deep breaths, or check in with someone you trust.

Ann Camp: And not because that fixes every challenge, but because caring for others also requires caring for ourselves.

Lucinda Ulibarri: It's also a chance to pause and ask ourselves, "What helps me do my best work here?" What gets in the way? What makes a meaningful difference?

Ann Camp: Let's make this practical. Sandy, is the survey open and can we start sharing our answers?

Sandra Grunwaldt: Yes, Anne. Our caregiver engagement survey opened Monday, October 26th, and runs all the way through Monday, November 16th. We'll have three full weeks to participate.

Lucinda Ulibarri: It should only take about five to seven minutes total to complete the survey.

Sandra Grunwaldt: And the survey is administered through Press Ganey, our survey partner. Your responses are confidential and results are reported in aggregate. No one sees individual responses. Your link to the survey will come directly from Press Ganey to your phone through a text message and to your email. It will be quick and convenient.

Lucinda Ulibarri: So if you have something positive to celebrate, a concern to name, or an idea that can improve the caregiver experience, we should feel comfortable being candid.

Ann Camp: And there's one more reason to make sure you complete the survey.

Sandra Grunwaldt: Every caregiver in a non-leadership role who completes their survey will be entered into weekly random prize drawings. We have 73 drawings for earbuds, gift shop certificates, nice combo phone charger, alarms and more. And everyone will have the opportunity to win the grand prize of a one-night stay at Ojo Santa Fe or Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs. We're also excited to share that the first three teams, small, medium, and large, to reach 100% completion will enjoy a pizza sub appreciation party.

Lucinda Ulibarri: But the real value is not in the prizes. The real value is knowing that your perspective helps to improve what it's like to work here. Now, let's go back to that moment we started with, the end of a difficult day when someone pauses and says, "Are you okay? What do you need?" That's the question that's at the heart of the survey.

Ann Camp: So, what's working for you? What do you need more of?

Lucinda Ulibarri: What would help you, your team, and our patients have a better experience?

Ann Camp: Your answer does not have to be perfect. It just has to be honest.

Sandra Grunwaldt: Because each of our responses helps us better understand that the everyday moments that matter, the moments that help us feel supported, connected, respected, help us do our best work.

Lucinda Ulibarri: The survey opened on Monday. Thank you to everyone who has completed the survey. If you haven't completed it, you should have received an email and text message from Press Ganey with your personal survey link. Caregivers who began employment before July 20th are eligible to take the survey.

Ann Camp: The survey closes at the end of the day on Monday, November 16th.

Sandra Grunwaldt: Please invest just five to seven minutes. Share the good, share the challenging, share what would make a difference.

Lucinda Ulibarri: Because your voice helps shape what comes next at San Juan Regional. Thank you for listening. We'll see you next time.