Power of U Podcast

This latest Power of U podcast episode dives into two key drivers of a strong workplace culture: performance management and the Employee Engagement and Safety Survey. In this conversation, Jennifer Terry, director of Experience & Culture with Organizational Development, shares how meaningful feedback can shape both individual growth and team success.Jennifer breaks down the importance of balancing appreciative feedback—recognizing what’s working well—with constructive feedback that supports continuous improvement. She emphasizes that when delivered effectively, feedback isn’t just about evaluation, it’s about connection, clarity and creating a culture where team members feel seen, supported and motivated.

In this important and eye-opening episode, we sit down with Vicki Yazel to discuss SAFE/SANE Services at UofL Health and the critical role they play in supporting patients impacted by domestic violence. Vicki sheds light on the many forms domestic violence can take, expanding beyond the common perception of intimate partner abuse to include situations involving parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren and other family dynamics.She also shares valuable insight into the resources and options available to UofL Health team members and highlights the Safe at Work program that is available to all team members.

 Isolation procedures play a critical role in protecting both patients and health care workers from the spread of infection. We sat down with LaShawn Scott, System Director for Infection Prevention and Control, to break down what isolation really means in a clinical setting—from contact and droplet precautions to airborne protocols—and why each step matters. LaShawn shares real-world insights on proper PPE use, effective communication with patients and families, and how these practices help ensure safer outcomes for everyone. Tune in to learn how simple, consistent actions can make a powerful difference in infection prevention.   

In this episode, we speak with Leah Oppy, an infection preventionist with UofL Health.  We explore the critical role hand hygiene plays in keeping patients and care teams safe. What may seem like a simple action is one of the most powerful tools in preventing the spread of infection in health care settings.We break down why consistent hand hygiene matters at every touchpoint and how small, intentional actions can have a big impact on patient outcomes. From patient rooms to shared spaces, every interaction is an opportunity to protect one another.

“Just be human beings with other human beings.” In this episode, we sit down with Mary Tallant, system director of Patient Experience at UofL Health, to talk about the powerful role each of us plays in shaping the patient journey.From first impressions to lasting impact, Mary shares how everyday interactions — with patients and with one another — define the care experience. She also walks through the Patient Experience Playbook, offering practical tips and actionable strategies to elevate compassion, communication and connection across the system.

In health care, we spend our days caring for others—but caregivers have their own struggles too. In this episode, we sit down again with Chris Burchett, system director of Employee Health and Wellness, to talk about mental health in health care and the unseen challenges team members may be carrying beneath the surface. Learn how UofL Health Employee Support and Wellness and the Employee Assistance Program are here to support you—whether you’re facing personal hardship or simply need a listening ear.

Kick off the new year with part one of our discussion with Chris Burchett, system director of Employee Health and Wellness, as he discusses all the services and programs offered through Employee Health to help you meet your wellness goals including Wellness Journey (you can earn up to $600 per year), health coaching, employee health fairs, connecting to a primary care provider, the Clean Eatz and much more.

“We need to keep our bodies fueled so we can care for our patients.” Jennifer Florence, RD, LD, clinical nutrition manager for UofL Health talks about the importance of nutrition, how balance and moderation is important, if breakfast is still the most important meal of the day, and the challenges, along with some solutions, to eating right in our hectic health care environment.

Darryl Kaelin, M.D., medical director of Frazier Rehabilitation Institute, talks about his 30-year career in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) and what attracted him to this field; the incredibly diverse array of injuries he has treated over the years from mild to catastrophic, the world-class care and treatment that Frazier Rehab Institute offers and the miracle he sees every day.

Join us for this inspirational talk with Wade Mitzel, CEO of UofL Health – UofL Physicians, as he speaks on the exciting growth of UofL Physicians and his vision for the future. He also revisits the concept of mental toughness and shares real-life stories of how the components of purposefulness, flexibility and efficiency were put into practice, and how mental toughness can be a useful tool in and out of the workplace.

Tabitha Underwood, director of community engagement, talks about her passion for community engagement and how it is woven into the fabric of our organization. She outlines the four pillars of her team’s work including the community health needs assessment, health equity plans, community benefits tracking and mutually beneficial community partnerships. Listen now to learn more about how community engagement ties directly to  our mission and how you can get involved.  

Employee engagement looks and feels different for everyone.” Brittney Miles, onboarding specialist, likes helping the people who help the people. Join her as she discusses all things employee engagement from employee activities and events to RecogNation to Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), the barriers to engagement, and everything in between. Employee engagement is everyone’s job, so engage yourself now by taking a listen.

The Power of GivingJoin Kara Salsman, vice president of UofL Health – Office of Philanthropy and executive director of the UofL Health Foundation, as she takes you on a journey through the world of philanthropy. In this episode, Kara covers starting the department from scratch, our grateful patient program, our successful partnerships, the UofL Health Employee Emergency Fund, what to do if you want to hold a fundraiser on behalf of UofL Health and creating a culture of philanthropy. Learn More Here: https://uoflhealth.org/giving/

Andreas Stamatis, Ph.D., FACSM, ACSM-EP, mental performance specialist with UofL Health, introduces the next tool for your toolbox: mental toughness. He defines it as the psychological capacity to set and reach goals through three main pillars (purposefulness, efficiency and flexibility) and discusses the importance of controlling and regulating emotions, as well as how you can jumpstart your mental toughness journey today.

Join Bryan Nash, DMin, BCC-APC, chaplain/spiritual care with UofL Health – Peace Hospital as he discusses the role of chaplains within our organization as a resource for both patients and staff. Bryan talks about how chaplains can help patients find connection as being hospitalized often makes them feel isolated. For staff, Bryan emphasizes how chaplains care about the well-being of our employees and helping them find joy and purpose in their work.

Katie Robinson, interim director of Professional Practice - UofL Hospital and Brown Cancer Center, discusses self-evaluations, including self-awareness – what it is and why it’s important, and identifying growth vs. fixed mindset and how it impacts us and our behaviors.

Working in our health care environment can be stressful which is why we are speaking with Lindsey Journey, MSW, LCSW, employee support & wellness manager again to discuss the services provided through our Employee Support & Wellness Program such as Code Lavender for downtown campus employees as well as other on-site support and resources to help employees connect to services in an effort to process stress and trauma that employees unfortunately “normalize” as being “part of the job.”

Join Lindsey Journey, MSW, LCSW, employee support & wellness manager as she walks us through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP is a free benefit to all employees and members of their households that includes counseling and resources to navigate all of life’s events and transitions whether it be work or home-related such as new job, marriage, elder care, child care and everything in between. The EAP is here to assist employees with a holistic approach to self-care. 

UofL Health Pharmacy does more than count pills. Go behind the scenes in the world of Pharmacy with Chelsea Maier, manager of Ambulatory Pharmacy Services as she discusses a variety of topics including understanding your pharmacy visit, why plans and copays change, how you can get your prescriptions delivered to you and the many other services and programs offered to our UofL Health team members. 

Finding your “why” at work is an enlightening conversation with Shane Fitzgerald, Chief Operating Officer, UofL Health – Jewish Hospital, where he discusses how he finds purpose at work by staying positive, being intentional and connecting to purpose; and provides a great reminder to us all the impact we have on patient care and the fulfilling rewards of a career in health care. 

Taking care of people who take care of people’ offers the fresh perspective of Chief Human Resources Officer Laura Atkinson to innovate our workforce by empowering our employees, improving communications and removing barriers to ensure long term success. Join us for the deep dive into our world of Human Resources.

‘Improving Employee Wellness’ follows up with Shari Kretzschmer, UofL Health CNO, and re-joins Adam Booth, nurse researcher with UofL Health, to discuss how the organization is combatting moral distress and using new research to better the overall wellness of employees.

‘Navigating Nursing Morale’ examines the everyday challenges nurses may face while providing patient-centered care that could lead to moral distress. Adam Booth, a nurse researcher with UofL Health defines moral distress and through his research, determines how it impacts our team members.