Joy In Work

A Strengths-Based, Improvement Science Framework to Foster Team Well-Being and Promote Flourishing in the Workplace.

The Resiliency Center has reimagined it's “Wellness Champions” program to the newly minted “Joy in Work” programs.

Amidst escalating demands on time, resources, and energy, healthcare professionals are grappling with increasing rates of disillusionment, burnout and turnover. In response to these challenges, the Resiliency Center’s new Joy in Work programs emerge as a beacon of change, aiming to foster a culture of flourishing for individuals and teams, across divisions and departments. 

Recognizing that the ability to experience joy in work transcends the mere absence of burnout or individual wellness, joy emerges as a system property, influenced by organizational dynamics and culture. Its presence (or absence) reverberates across staff wellbeing and engagement, patient experience, care quality, safety, and overall organizational performance. 

Multiple Ways to Engage with Joy in Work

Based on the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's "Framework for Improving Joy in Work", the Resiliency Center offers three ways to engage with Joy in Work:

  1. Joy in Work Foundations Course, an annual all-day intensive training open to all U Health employees with tailored breakout sessions for all work roles. 
  2. Joy in Work Facilitator Training Program, a training and certification program to support “Joy in Work Facilitators” as they implement a Joy in Work team project or initiative over the course of an academic year.
  3. Joy in Work Team Resilience Consultations, tailored sessions to discuss Better U results, address team-specific needs, improve engagement, and provide practical tools and strategies to foster a positive, thriving work environment.

Together, these programs cultivate a thriving work environment by empowering healthcare professionals with the tools and support needed to foster joy, resilience, and meaningful change across University of Utah Health. 

Joy in Work Foundations Course

Overview: 

Grounded in the evidence-based Framework for Improving Joy in Work from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), the Joy in Work Foundations Course is a day-long retreat and immersive training. It equips participants with essential knowledge, tools, and resources to cultivate joy, engagement, and well-being within their roles and teams.

Details:

Who: Open to all University of Utah Health employees—clinical, academic, administrative, and support teams.
When:  Tuesday, September 16th, 2025 | 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Where: Cleone Eccles Peterson Alumni House

What to Expect:

This full-day course introduces the Joy in Work model, including the Nine Components that foster purpose, well-being, and engagement across all roles in healthcare. Through interactive core sessions and tailored breakout tracks, participants from clinical, academic, administrative, and support teams will explore how to create positive change within their unique roles and work environments.

You’ll gain:

  • Practical tools to support resilience, reduce burnout, and strengthen collaboration and team culture.
  • Real-world examples and guided activities to address daily challenges and spark meaningful improvements.
  • Strategies that can positively impact outcomes like engagement, well-being, patient safety, and retention.

You’ll also receive:

  • Access to tools and resources for continued learning.
  • An invitation to apply for the Joy in Work Facilitator Training Program, a certification pathway offered through the Resiliency Center to support team-based change initiatives.

Throughout the day, optional wellness activities create space to reflect, recharge, and connect—helping you return to your work with clarity and renewed purpose.

Joy in Work Facilitator Training Program

Overview:

The Resiliency Center's Joy in Work Facilitator Training Program aims to support a culture of flourishing at the University of Utah by equipping participants to lead wellbeing initiatives within their teams utilizing the IHI Framework for Improving Joy in Work.   

University of Utah Health employees may apply to this this academic-year-long training and certification designed to give participants the knowledge and skills necessary to launch initiatives within their group or team intended to enhance wellbeing, build resilience, and foster meaning and purpose in daily work, while optimizing the work environment and structures.   

Joy in Work Facilitators play a pivotal role in driving positive change within their clinics, academic units, offices, or frontline teams. Ideal participants are mid-level faculty or staff from clinical, educational, research, or administrative areas who are committed to collaborating with leadership to improve team wellbeing. 

What to Expect:  

Once accepted, Joy in Work Facilitators will lead a team through the Joy in Work initiative with the Resiliency Center's support. Facilitators receive training, tools, and guidance from experts at the Resiliency Center in identifying significant needs within their department or team, initiating and executing impactful projects, and evaluating the impact of the projects. At the end of the program, participants will have the opportunity to share the results of their projects by participating in the Evidence-Based Practice and Well-Being Poster Fair.

Upon successful completion of the program, facilitators also earn a digital badge from University of Utah Professional Education, recognizing their expertise in Quality Improvement, Improvement Science, and Employee Well-being. This badge serves as a valuable credential, demonstrating leadership in promoting healthier, high-performing teams.  

 

2025–2026 Joy in Work Facilitator Program Timeline

Key Dates:

  • October 1, 2025 – Application Deadline
  • October 8, 2025 – Acceptance Notifications Sent

Monthly Coaching Sessions

Wednesdays | 1:30–2:30 PM (MT)

  • October 15, 2025 – Engagement and Preparation
  • November 12, 2025 – How to Conduct “What Matters to You?” Conversations
  • December 17, 2025 – Establishing the Baseline & Project Planning
  • January 14, 2026 – Implementation and Measurement
  • February 11, 2026 – Iteration & Interim Measures
  • March 18, 2026 – Wrapping Up & Reporting Out

Additional Events (Dates TBD):

  • April 2026 – Evidence-Based Practice Poster Fair
  • May 2026 – Program Completion Celebration

Recordings will be provided for those unable to attend sessions live.

Joy in Work Team Resilience Consultations

Available to all University of Utah Health teams, Joy in Work Team Resilience Consultations provide tailored support, guidance, and strategies to enhance team well-being, foster collaboration, and create a positive work environment where individuals and teams can flourish.

Consultations are designed to collaboratively assess and address team-specific needs, including:

  • Discussing Better U survey results to identify team strengths and existing assets, then leverage those to address opportunities for improvement.
  • Improving team engagement, creating shared purpose, and increasing resilience while reducing burnout, which may include collaboration with or referral to our partners (Organizational Development, Human Resources, Office of Faculty, Workforce Excellence, Value Engineering).
  • Identifying resources and strategies to address challenges and improve team dynamics.
  • Offering practical tools, such as presentations or workshops focused on key aspects of resilience, teamwork, problem-solving and well-being.
  • Supporting teams in aligning their goals with the conditions that foster joy and satisfaction in work.

For more information or to schedule a consultation or presentation, contact the Resiliency Center at resiliencycenter@hsc.utah.edu or 801-213-3403.