Communications

(Feb. 21, 2025) – Strategies addressing workforce recruitment and retention are essential to providing optimal health in Kansas. The Workforce Strategies Award recognizes a team of employees, providers or volunteers who have significantly contributed to the well-being, retention or recruitment of health care workers at their facility.

The Patterson Health Center Lemonheads is a group of dedicated health care workers whose mission is to promote well-being and appreciation for the everyday accomplishments of their fellow workers, celebrate wins (big and small) and find silver linings among the most challenging days.

Formed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lemonheads built their mission and vision on the books, Pickle Pledge: Creating a More Positive Healthcare Culture-One Attitude at a Time and The Florence Prescription: From Accountability to Ownership, a strategic guide that helped create an organizational culture that is more emotionally positive, empowered and engaged. This inspiration came after going to a seminar on building culture and ownership in health care by Joe Tye. Instead of using his pickle pledge idea, the PCH group decided they could do great things with lemons; thus, the Lemonheads were born. Some days are sour and some are sweet, depending on what you add to it!

The PHC Lemonheads challenge every employee to commit to turning complaints into constructive contributions. By planning group events, recognizing contributions and promoting positive morale, the Lemonheads have become significant and impactful leaders at PHC.

"The Lemonheads consistently demonstrate compassion, empathy and respect, profoundly impacting our patients, visitors and staff. For instance, the Lemonheads developed a program called "Lemonade Maker," an initiative that allows employees to recognize the everyday contributions of co-workers when they go above and beyond. People want to do good. This recognizes them and hopefully rubs off on someone else to do something nice" said Sarah Teaff, CEO of Patterson Health Center.

The PHC Lemonheads work hard to promote an environment of cooperation and collaboration. Under the leadership of Heather Reames, the director of nursing, the Lemonheads initiated monthly games, prizes, recognition and a quarterly barbecue that allowed staff to come together, eat and share. They also organized the annual Christmas party. This has improved team dynamics and allowed PHC to consistently appreciate the entire staff.

"Since the inception of the Lemonheads program, employee engagement survey scores have improved, and staff feel their contribution is recognized and that their ideas matter. As a result of these positive changes, turnover has steadily declined. The program is a testament to the improvement in morale and well-being of our staff," said Teaff.

The Lemonheads consist of nursing staff, business office staff, administration, dietary staff, RT, PTA and x-ray staff. "It was important to find people throughout the facility that are well-liked and that others will listen to, Reams said."

After a long, complicated merger of two hospitals, a pandemic and CEO turnover, the Lemonheads were tasked with shifting the culture from one focused on defeat to one focused on everyday miracles and acts of kindness.

"Any culture change is a marathon, not a sprint. The Lemonheads consistently show up for staff, planning events, promoting PHC values and making sure we are turning lemons into lemonade every day," said Teaff.
--Shelby Stacy