EP 105: From Bullying to Belonging – How One Nurse Leader Transformed Workplace Culture
In this episode of the Coffee Break Podcast, Dr. Renee Thompson sits down with Dina MacDonald, Nursing Director of the Maternal Newborn Center at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center, to talk about something we can all relate to – turning a toxic work environment into one where people actually want to come to work.
Dina shares her personal journey from being the target of a bullying boss to becoming a leader who reshaped her department’s culture. She opens up about the power of accountability, why tough conversations are necessary, and how even the hardest decisions can set the tone for a healthier, more respectful workplace.
If you’ve ever wondered how to deal with resistors, set clear expectations, and build a team that actually supports one another, this episode is for you.
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EP 104: Reducing Cognitive Burden and Building a Culture of Kindness in Healthcare
In this episode of the Coffee Break Podcast, Dr. Renee Thompson sits down with Dr. Katherine Virkstis, Chief Clinical Officer at Get Well, to talk about the intersection of patient experience, staff well-being, and healthy workplace culture.
Katherine shares Get Well’s inspiring origin story, which was founded by a patient who believed every person should be treated like a VIP, and how their digital tools now empower patients, reduce cognitive burden on staff, and foster joy in care delivery. She also explains how innovations like automated documentation, real-time feedback, and a digital kindness pledge are not just transforming patient experience, but also strengthening work cultures and reducing workplace aggression.
You’ll hear practical strategies leaders can use right now to reduce stressors, support their teams, and create a safer, more respectful environment for both staff and patients.
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EP 103: From Project to Purpose: Embedding Safety Into Healthcare Culture
In this episode of the Coffee Break Podcast, Dr. Renee Thompson welcomes Patricia McGaffigan, President of the Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Patricia has dedicated her career to advancing patient and workforce safety, and she brings powerful insights into why safety cannot just be a project or fleeting priority – it must be an organization’s purpose.
Together, Renee and Patricia explore the deep connection between patient safety and workforce well-being, the importance of shifting leadership mindsets, and practical strategies organizations can adopt to hardwire safety into their culture. Patricia also shares tools and frameworks leaders can start using immediately, including the National Action Plan, a new workplace violence reporting framework, and IHI’s Joy in Work framework.
Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of how every interaction impacts safety and why creating safer workplaces requires action at both the system and individual levels.
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EP 102: Leading with Data – Tackling Workplace Violence and Building Engaged Leaders
In this episode of the Coffee Break Podcast, Dr. Renee Thompson talks with Dr. Jeff Doucette, Senior Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer at Press Ganey about two urgent issues in healthcare today: the alarming rise in workplace violence and the critical role of nurse leader engagement.
Jeff shares insights from Press Ganey’s data on the alarming rise of workplace violence, revealing that three nurses are assaulted every hour in the U.S., and emphasizes why zero-tolerance cultures must start at the top. He also highlights the powerful connection between leader engagement and patient outcomes, offering strategies for creating safer, healthier, and more engaged work environments.
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EP 101: Mitigating Conflict – Supporting Nurse Managers in the Hardest Job in Healthcare
In this episode of the Coffee Break Podcast, Dr. Renee Thompson sits down with Dr. Rachel Culpepper, Nursing Director at Indiana University Health West Hospital, to explore how nurse leaders can better support managers in one of the hardest jobs in healthcare.
Rachel shares practical strategies for guiding managers through conflict, coaching them to pause and fact-find before reacting, and navigating challenges with multi-generational teams. Listeners will walk away with actionable tools to help managers build trust, create accountability, and turn conflict into opportunities for growth.
About Coffee Break: Breaking the Cycle of Bullying in Healthcare, One Cup at a Time
Coffee Break is a podcast for healthcare leaders who have had enough of the bullying; the incivility, the he-said-she-said, and other shenanigans in their departments and want to cultivate a high-performing, respectful, and healthy professional team.
In each episode, we provide practical tools and strategies for addressing workplace bullying and incivility, fostering a culture of respect and civility, and building trust and collaboration among the healthcare team.
When leaders are equipped with the skills and tools that they need to address disruptive behaviors, employees are more engaged, happier, and better serve patients and each other. This results in high-performing teams with increased retention and improved patient outcomes.
Join us on Coffee Break to learn how to create a healthier workplace culture - One Cup at a Time.
Listen to Coffee Break: Breaking the Cycle of Bullying in Healthcare, One Cup at a Time, The Prosperity Project and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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