As part of the University of Washington, UW Medicine’s 33,000 employees contribute to its mission to improve the health of the public while benefiting from a range of programs to support their professional development and personal wellbeing. An annual workforce survey helps to identify opportunities to increase engagement and decrease turnover, as well as to measure progress from year to year. Based on nearly 13,000 participants in the most recent survey, overall staff engagement increased to 4.06 on a 5-point scale, with 73% of employees reporting being engaged or highly engaged. Employee feedback has also led to the development of a new leader pathway that enables managers to be more effective early in their role and a career development hub that offers employees tools, templates and personalized guidance to help them define and pursue career goals. To support physician and staff wellbeing, UW Medicine created the role of chief wellbeing officer in 2021, with resources for expanded mental health counseling, peer support programs and workshops on resilience, stress management, and compassion for oneself and others. Additional employee benefits include participation in the University of Washington’s “The Whole U” program for wellness, learning and connection. The Whole U supports the UW community with programs, events and resources that nurture physical, mental, financial and social wellbeing. Employees also have access to the 24/7 Washington State employee assistance program for comprehensive support for life events and challenges.
