Investing in Us Newsletter | October 30, 2025
Investing in Us Bi-Weekly Newsletter
Thursday, October 30, 2025
Check out the NEW featured topics below! Each week, only the most current and relevant topics will be featured within the 4 categories; Engaging Us, Recognizing Us, Developing Us and Taking Care of Us! For more information on topics not highlighted in this week’s top stories, please click on the links above that will direct you straight to the Investing in Us website!
Open Enrollment: Your 2026 Benefits — Make Your Elections
2025 OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR 2026 BENEFITS RUNS THROUGH NOVEMBER 8, 2025
Open Enrollment is here —
Your once-a-year opportunity to review your benefits and make any changes for the year ahead.
- Active Enrollment is THIS YEAR
- ALL TEAM MEMBERS must log in to UKG and their benefit elections — even if you're not making changes
- Benefits WILL NOT automatically roll over
This year’s updates reflect the rising cost of healthcare nationwide.
Augusta Health continues to cover the majority of the cost of care and offers resources to help you make informed choices. Rightway is a new tool to support you in saving on costs while getting high-quality care for you and your family. Learn more about Rightway.
Visit the links below to get started and make the most of your benefits:
Option 1: Enroll directly in UKG
Option 2: Get help from a licensed benefits counselor
Open Enrollment ends at midnight on November 8, 2025. Don’t wait — review your options and make your elections early.
Taking Care of Us
Keeping It Fun and Professional This Halloween!
Halloween is just around the corner, and we know many team members are excited to bring a little festive fun to the workplace!
While we love the creativity and team spirit that comes with dressing up, we also want to make sure our costumes reflect our professional, patient-centered environment.
Here are a few quick reminders to help keep the day both fun and appropriate for everyone:
Halloween Costume Guidelines
- Leader approval required: Costumes must be approved by your department leader and, if permitted, may only be worn on Friday, October 31.
- Keep it kind and respectful: Avoid costumes that could be offensive, insensitive, or make others uncomfortable. Steer clear of anything that mocks cultural, religious, or racial identities.
- Stay safe and functional: Costumes shouldn’t interfere with your ability to do your job. Skip anything that restricts movement, vision, or communication. Masks or face coverings that impede patient care should not be worn.
- Skip the gore: Please avoid scary or gory costumes that might distress patients or visitors.
- Follow dress code standards: Costumes should meet safety and hygiene requirements — infection control protocols still apply.
- Leave the props at home: No props resembling weapons, even toys or costume accessories.
Thank you for helping us keep Augusta Health a safe, inclusive, and welcoming place for all — patients, visitors, and team members alike.
If you have any questions or need clarification about what’s acceptable, please reach out to Human Resources for guidance.
Volunteers Needed: Crops to Community Deliveries
Help deliver fresh food boxes to neighbors in need.
Support local families by delivering fresh produce boxes—quick, meaningful volunteer shifts.
What: Volunteers needed to deliver food boxes for the Crops to Community Program
When: Remaining dates for this year: 11/11, 11/25, 12/9
Time: 9:30 am
Contact Catherine Hill at CHill@augustahealth.com if interested Wellable points will be available!
November Wellness Updates
November Activities
The weather’s cooling down, the holidays are near, and we’ve got a fresh lineup of wellness activities for you!
This month, we’re focusing on Work-Life Harmony — finding ways to stay grounded and energized as life gets busier.
Last Chance to Volunteer at Shenandoah Hospice House!
Join us at the Shenandoah House Hospice Garden on November 6th, 7–9 AM to help with fall gardening tasks and create a peaceful space for patients and families. It’s a great way to connect with nature, get light exercise, and make a difference in our community. Volunteers earn 500 Wellable Points!
Volunteer Dates & Times:
- November 6th, 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Come help us keep this special garden thriving! Supplies will be provided.
Spiritual Care
Need Spiritual Care Support? We’re Here for You 24/7!
You can now connect with our weekday chaplain (available Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.) effortlessly through Vocera—just say “chaplain” to be connected.
For after-hours or immediate spiritual care support, our chaplaincy team is available around the clock. Reach us anytime by calling the Chaplaincy Services office at:
- (540) 332-4744
Looking for the on-call schedule? Find it on the SPOKE directory via the PULSE page under “New Physician Call Schedules.” Scroll down to “Chaplain Support” for more details.
Spiritual Care Article | One More Hour — What Will You Do With It?
When the clocks fall back, we get an extra hour… but what if every hour mattered that much? This week’s article challenges us to think about how we spend our time and reminds us that wisdom isn’t about doing more—it’s about using what we have with purpose.
Developing Us
REMINDER ABOUT REQUIRED EDUCATION:
Be sure to visit your 'To Do' tab in HealthStream and complete all assigned coursework by its stated due date!
Be sure to visit your 'To Do' tab in HealthStream and complete all assigned coursework by its stated due date!
Especially these three courses, which we are monitoring closely in compliance reports for completion:
- Augusta Health Annual Regulatory Training (2025) = approximately 1 hour, 20 minutes to complete
- Augusta Health Commitment to Compliance (2025) = approximately 20 minutes to complete
- Augusta Health Computer Information Awareness (2025) = approximately 20 minutes to complete
Team members with a hire date of 5/1/2025 and later were assigned these three courses with a due date of 30 days from their date of hire.
Team members with a hire date prior to 5/1/2025 were assigned these three courses with a due date of 12/1/2025. Note that this is an earlier due date than past years!
If you have any questions about HealthStream, please contact our team at Augusta Health: healthstream@augustahealth.com
Last Chance to Join Our Giving & Receiving Feedback Workshop!
There are only two sessions left in 2025 — don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your communication and leadership skills!
In this interactive workshop, you’ll explore best practices for giving and receiving both appreciative and constructive feedback. You’ll leave with a clear framework and practical tools to help you integrate effective feedback into everyday interactions—supporting stronger teamwork, collaboration, and results.
Upcoming Sessions:
- Thursday, Nov. 6 | 9–11 a.m. | Mannix
- Thursday, Dec. 18 | 12–2 p.m. | EDU215
Engaging Us
2025 Performance Reflections: Simple Process for Meaningful Growth
This January, we’re launching a simplified electronic performance reflection process that focuses on what matters most—our people and our mission.
As we face significant challenges in healthcare, this is more than a form. It’s a moment to reflect on achievements, strengthen connections to our shared purpose, and plan for growth together.
What's New?
- One easy-to-use form for all roles through Director level
- Two rated performance items for 2025 + one growth area for 2026
- Launch: Tuesday, January 6, 2026 | Due: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Who's Eligible?
- All full-time, part-time regular, and PRN team members hired/active before October 1, 2025
- Providers, temporary, and contracted workers will continue to use an alternate evaluation system
Why it Matters?
Performance reflection is more than checking a box—it’s a chance to:
- Celebrate achievements and meaningful contributions
- Strengthen connections between individual work and organizational goals
- Guide personal and team growth for the year ahead
We encourage team members and leaders to approach this conversation with curiosity, honesty, and a shared commitment to learning. Together, we can make this a meaningful moment—not just a form.
