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Every day, thousands of dedicated team members at Central California’s Community Health System (CHS) are part of something extraordinary – saving lives, healing families and being the beacon of hope when people need it most. It is rewarding work, but also demanding in ways that only healthcare professionals truly understand. |
As a leading nonprofit healthcare organization and Central Valley's largest private employer, CHS operates three main hospitals – including two of the busiest emergency departments and the only combined Level 1 trauma center and comprehensive burn center between Sacramento and Los Angeles. CHS also cares for a large share of the region’s uninsured and underinsured residents, while providing behavioral health services, nursing-care facilities and primary and specialty-care practices across a region larger than Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Jersey combined.
Their diverse workforce of nearly 11,000 employees spans from nurses and patient-care technicians to housekeeping staff, diagnostic imaging professionals, medical assistants and expert healthcare providers – each as essential as their mission. And that number is growing as the organization continues to expand.
“It’s pretty exciting,” says Ginger Ring, Strategic HR Business Partner at CHS.
Community Health System, one of Central California's largest private employers and a leading nonprofit healthcare organization, faced the challenge of supporting a rapidly growing and diverse workforce in a demanding healthcare environment. Their previous EAP provider offered limited availability and a narrow network of specialists. With nearly 11,000 employees across hospitals, specialized care facilities and medical practices, CHS needed a digital-first, comprehensive EAP that could support their growing footprint and customized solutions for team members.
In 2022, Community Health System partnered with TELUS Health to provide comprehensive mental health support for their diverse workforce across multiple healthcare facilities and expertise. The decision was driven by the wide range of services provided by TELUS Health EAP that could help address the complex needs of healthcare workers in high-stress environments. With 24/7 support, this comprehensive solution is designed to meet the varied availability of healthcare workers and preferences, where they can choose to access counseling in-person, by video or by phone. In addition to digital tools, articles and podcasts, employees are offered specialized support, which is particularly important in healthcare environments where staff can face safety challenges.
Community Health System partnered with TELUS Health in 2022 to provide comprehensive mental health and wellbeing support during a critical period of organizational growth and the COVID-19 pandemic.
While delivering exceptional patient care remains a core focus, CHS leadership recognized that taking care of those who take care of others is fundamental to their continued success. Their previous EAP provider offered limited availability and a narrow network of specialists. CHS needed more comprehensive support — especially given the unique challenges their healthcare professionals face daily.
Research by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) shows that nearly half (44 per cent) of health workers have considered leaving their current position due to mental health concerns. In 2023 alone, 82 per cent of nurses experienced workplace violence, with over 90 per cent of hospital nurses encountering violence at some point in their careers.
Beyond physical safety concerns, healthcare workers shoulder an extraordinary emotional burden. Every day, they provide compassionate care to patients and their families. Their roles often demand not only medical expertise but an unwavering capacity to navigate grief and trauma.
With their rapidly growing footprint, CHS needed a partner to provide scalable, digital solutions and customized support.
TELUS Health became that partner, helping transform how they support the mental, emotional and physical wellbeing of their workforce. Notably, TELUS Health's comprehensive EAP expanded CHS's support offerings with 24/7 access to specialized care, including counseling, and trauma support for high-stress incidents. CHS also offers their employees digital cognitive behavioral therapy through TELUS Health CBT, where they can access story-based modules at their own pace while checking in with their therapist along the way.
"We didn't want to limit our employees to just three therapy visits because we understood that may not be enough to take care of whatever the issues are," says Ring, reflecting on the transformation.
Ring has developed multiple strategies to promote EAP awareness across CHS’s diverse workforce, including laminated posters for hospital environments, regular posts on the company intranet, banners and direct mail campaigns. The most successful outreach occurs at their annual benefits health fair during open enrollment, where Ring takes the opportunity to share the program's key features with employees.
"Every year we see utilization increase after that," she reports. "Often, employees don't realize it's free, available 24/7 and completely confidential."
By providing comprehensive EAP services to all employees, CHS demonstrates that employee wellbeing is a fundamental organizational priority that ultimately serves their patients and community. This stems from CHS’s broader mission.
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"We want our employees to be happy," Ring explains. "We are the largest employer in the valley, so we really strive to take care of our people. Offering the EAP and ensuring their wellbeing is a big part of that." Ginger Ring, Community Health System |
For CHS, the partnership with TELUS Health has delivered value beyond the platform's comprehensive service offerings. What truly sets TELUS Health apart as an integral component of their employee value proposition is the consistent, proactive partnership support that accompanies the technology.
"As an employer, I really appreciate the support I receive because I'm the one overseeing the program," Ring explains. "My customer success manager regularly provides information and resources to help get the word out to our employees. I feel like TELUS Health genuinely cares about our employees.”
Ring also notes that employees appreciate the added value of features like Perks, a digital-wallet platform that provides cashback and discounts on thousands of popular brands and everyday purchases, enhancing their benefits package. In addition, TELUS Health provides marketing materials, promotional resources and tools that help Ring drive EAP awareness.
Overall, Ring is very satisfied with TELUS Health and believes other healthcare organizations facing similar growth and workforce challenges would benefit from its services.
"The combination of comprehensive services, digital accessibility, ongoing support and genuine care for employee wellbeing has made TELUS Health essential to our employee retention strategy."