A Strong Pulse Keeps the Heart of the Hospital Beating
The Kansas Hospital Association appreciates the opportunity to highlight workforce strategies that honor employees, providers or volunteers who make significant contributions to the well-being, retention or recruitment of health care workers at their facility. Thank you to SCK Health for sharing their strategies.
At McPherson Center for Health, appreciation isn’t reserved for an annual celebration—it’s woven into the everyday rhythm of the organization. That spirit is led by the hospital’s Pulse Team, a cross-departmental committee dedicated to celebrating employees, their families and the community they serve.
“Our Pulse Team was created over 20 years ago by hospital employees who wanted to celebrate the culture we have here,” said Kayla Moritz, Director of Marketing. “We pride ourselves on having a family atmosphere—one that welcomes families into our walls and makes everyone feel connected. My kids are often at work with me, and that’s part of what makes this place special.”
What began as a small group of staff members has grown into a formal committee of 10 to 12 representatives from across the organization, including administration, nursing, human resources and dietary services. The team meets regularly to plan events ranging from small in-house raffles to large family gatherings like the recent pumpkin patch day, where employees and their families roasted s’mores, visited by campfire and continued the evening with dinner at a local restaurant.
“It’s about more than appreciation—it’s about connection,” Moritz explained. “You’ll see people from different departments getting to know one another, families laughing together and relationships forming that make our workplace feel like home.”
The Pulse Team’s creativity and dedication have also helped ensure every shift feels valued. Night-shift employees are treated to special events such as s’mores campouts and evening massages. Food trucks and treat deliveries are scheduled around shift changes so that day and night teams alike can participate. “We’re really intentional about making sure everyone gets the same opportunities,” Moritz said. “We work closely with our house supervisors to make that happen.”
The team recently secured a dedicated budget—a milestone that allows them to plan events strategically and align them with employee feedback. Surveys and open communication have shaped new traditions, such as movie nights with Santa, Easter egg hunts for children and community-based gatherings that extend beyond the hospital’s walls.
“Our employees told us they love the bigger events that bring families together,” said Moritz. “So that’s where we’re focusing our energy—on things that make people feel appreciated not just as employees, but as people.”
The impact is unmistakable. Moritz said the Pulse Team has strengthened relationships across departments and fostered an atmosphere where colleagues truly enjoy spending time together—even outside of work. “It gives everyone something to look forward to,” she said. “When people feel seen and valued, it shows in the way they care for our patients and for each other.”
At McPherson, appreciation isn’t just an initiative—it’s a tradition that keeps the organization’s heart beating strong.