Healing Together: The True Story Behind Team Lavender

Written by: Agnes Barden, DNP, RN, CPXP – VP, Patient & Customer Experience

In our complex and demanding environment of healthcare, it is incredibly important that we care for ourselves – so that we can in turn care for others. Healthcare professionals can be exceptional at providing empathetic quality care, however, we are also human – we grieve, mourn, hurt and feel very deeply – especially during the many challenging situations often faced when caring for complex patients and families.

At Northwell Health, we foster an environment that promotes wellness, self-care, self-reflection and emotional support for our dedicated caregivers.

Truly Compassionate: One of our unique programs, Team Lavender, provides staff an opportunity for timely emotional, spiritual and physical support, discuss feelings, explore coping mechanisms and extend additional resources for mental well-being if needed.  

Truly Together: Team Lavender is comprised of interdisciplinary members, with disciplines and skill sets that complement one another when providing a holistic approach to emotional support for our dedicated staff. Members of Team Lavender may include social workers, physicians, nurses, chaplains, patient and family relations members, holistic and integrative therapy practitioners and employee assistance program team members.

Ultimately, we are dedicated to making sure our 66,000 Northwell caregivers feel supported and valued so that they can be better equipped to provide our patients, families, and customers with the exceptional experience they deserve.  This is how we make every moment matter.