An Introduction and Announcement: The Power of Community and Collaboration

by Jason A. Wolf, Ph.D., CPXP

Happy New year and welcome to Transforming Human Experience – a new newsletter from The Beryl Institute where I’ll share reflections and practical ideas on the experience movement and actions we can take to transform human experience. This publication is an exciting way to begin a new year where we will celebrate our 15 years as a membership community.

Through the years, as we have grown through your commitment and contributions, we have stayed true to our focus on ensuring unparalleled access to unbiased research and proven practices and fostering networking and professional development opportunities. We have done so all in a safe, neutral space to exchange ideas and learn from others. I am confident in saying there is no other place quite like the global community we have created together.

This is reflected in our shared focus on continuous improvement and growth. It is also grounded in the bold commitments outlined in the Declaration for Human Experience developed through the very voices of our community. In it we declare, we are called to lead courageously with the understanding that we are, first and foremost, human beings caring for human beings. In answering this call, we commit to:

• Acknowledge and dismantle systemic racism and prejudice, tackle disparities and provide the highest-quality, most equitable care possible.
• Understand and act on the needs and vulnerabilities of the healthcare workforce to honor their commitment and reaffirm and reenergize their purpose
• Recognize and maintain a focus on what matters most to patients, their family members and care partners to ensure unparalleled care and a commitment to health and well-being.

It is on that final item of focusing on what matters, and grounded in the fourth commitment in the declaration, that we must “collaborate through shared learning within and between organizations, systems and the broader healthcare continuum to forge a bold new path to a more human-centered, equitable and effective healthcare system,” that I am excited to share some news.

Today we announce a new collaboration with What Matters to You (WMTY.World) where we will leverage the strengths of both organizations to:

• Amplify the Patient’s Voice: Encourage healthcare providers to adopt practices that center around understanding and acting on what matters most to patients and families.
• Foster Global Innovation: Share best practices and innovative strategies across international networks to enhance care delivery and patient experience worldwide.
• Expand a Unified Movement: Unite healthcare leaders, organizations, and communities to grow a powerful global movement for compassionate, person-centered care.

With this collaboration, all operations of WMTY.world, including its online presence and global communications, will be supported by The Beryl Institute in partnership with WMTY.world’s volunteer convening team.

Maureen Bisognano, an incredible colleague, mentor, and friend, and member of the WMTY.world convening team shared this about this new collaboration, “We are at a vital moment in healthcare as the patient’s voice is heard and is stimulating the redesign of care for better health and best care. When organizations with a shared vision come together, we can accelerate this change and build on the international energy for innovating, sharing, and improving our healthcare world.”

This sense of hope is what inspires this relationship as we expand the global dialogue on transforming healthcare. There is great power in collaboration, as it reflects a commitment to something far bigger than one person or organization. It is a catalyst for innovation, for inclusion, and for opportunity.

And it comes back to the foundation on which it is built, community, a true collection of compassionate, dedicated, and determined people who know when we focus on the communities we serve, our healthcare team members, and our patients and care partners, then we truly are champions of what matters, together. That is what we must be. I look forward to the journey ahead.