Community Matters in the Human Experience

by Michelle Garrison, CPXP

As we wrapped up 2020, I can’t tell you how many people said, including myself, “I can’t wait for 2021.” While none of us were really expecting the world to magically reset when the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve, I know that we were all hopeful for change to come.

The reality is that we are still balancing COVID challenges, vaccine concerns, Zoom fatigue and much more. In the last year as we faced a global pandemic that created a changing healthcare landscape, we saw our community face multiple challenges including redefined roles, with staff taking on different and sometimes difficult responsibilities. Our world – and healthcare – shifted so quickly in ways that we could not have predicted, and it continues to change.

With so many personal and professional alterations needed during these times, the power of community and shared experiences have never been more important. Community, without question, matters in the human experience. A community provides us with a place to come together. It gives us a space to share our challenges, celebrate our successes, connect with one another and be inspired and, at times, reenergized.

Like many organizations, The Beryl Institute saw challenges in the last year. However, with the power of our community and the support you gave us, we were able to do more than we ever thought possible. Highlighted in our recent Year in Review, we showcased the breadth of work that was possible because our community came together to not only support us but to support each other, and we can’t say enough to show our appreciation and gratitude. Every day, we continue to be both humbled and grateful for this passionate and engaged community.

Inspired by your passion and engagement, The Beryl Institute jumped into 2021 with vigor. I don’t think anyone who is familiar with the work we do would be surprised to know that we already have several activities underway for this year, and we encourage you to take part and share within your networks the following opportunities:

Share Your Voice

We invite your participation in this year’s State of Patient Experience Benchmarking Survey. Open through February 19, The State of Patient Experience study will reveal the complex reality facing the patient experience movement. Your participation will assist us with insights into trends in structure and practice, leadership and measurement and offers core considerations for organizations looking to lead in experience excellence.

Celebrate Your Successes

Our Patient Experience Awards are open for nominations through February 12. The awards are an opportunity to recognize and honor individual patient advocates, volunteer professionals and patient experience leaders for their contributions to elevating the human experience. Take time to recognize your colleagues and the amazing work they do.

Learn with the Community

The New Existence Webinar Series will explore how we can come together as a community and lead together the future of healthcare. As we look to what we always believed healthcare could be and work to elevate the human experience at its heart, there has remained an opportunity for alignment and support, clear purpose and intent.

Despite all of the challenges of 2020 and the fact that the magic reset button has yet to appear in 2021, I am still hopeful for the year ahead of us. As The Beryl Institute looks forward, we remain committed to our patient experience community, inspired and excited by the work that is taking place. In our journey to grow with you, please keep sharing your challenges, your successes and, most importantly, your voice. We are dedicated to expanding our value to the community through shared resources and impactful conversations. After all, community matters in the human experience.

Michelle Garrison, CPXP
Vice President, Membership
The Beryl Institute