On a recent afternoon in October, Classroom 111 at the W.E. Upjohn M.D. Campus was filled with members of the WMed community who gathered to meet and enjoy a buffet lunch provided by WMed Human Resources.
The event – the New Employee Meet, Greet, and Eat Luncheon – is part of an ongoing effort by the Department of Human Resources that began in April 2022 to provide the medical school’s newest hires with a fun and informal way to connect with WMed leaders and longer-tenured faculty and staff.
“The idea is to say, ‘Welcome to WMed,’” Rich Daudert, manager of Organizational Development, said at the the latest new employee event that was held on Wednesday, October 2. “The research shows that if, in your first three weeks on the job, you feel like you fit in and you’re welcomed, you’re more likely to stay and we want you to stay.”
A total of 30 people attended the luncheon in October, a tally which included 14 new employees. Also on the list of attendees were current faculty and staff, as well as several leaders, among them WMed Dean Robert G. Sawyer, MD; Karen Horneffer-Ginter, PhD, associate dean for Culture and chief wellness officer; Paul J. Schenarts, MD, associate dean for Faculty Affairs, and Senior Human Resources Director Surangi Pradhan.
The luncheon marked the seventh time that Human Resources has held an event for new employees. During the six previous gatherings, Daudert said breakfast was served to attendees and the October 2 was the first to be held during the lunch hour. The food that was served included fresh salad, bread, chicken, and slow-cooked beef.
“This is completely about inclusion and belonging, and retention,” Daudert said. “I think it has helped a lot and it has worked out well. Our new employees get the chance to quickly feel like they are a part of what we are doing here and it helps them connect.”
The breakfasts and lunches are held in January, April, July, and October, and all new employees who began working at WMed the previous quarter are invited to attend along with current faculty and staff. At the event on October 2, everyone in attendance got the chance to introduce themselves and put names with faces. New employees also got the chance to hear some advice and words of wisdom from employees who have been a part of the WMed community for several years.
“People here are friendly so don’t be afraid to ask questions,” said Julia Young, program specialist for Belonging and Culture. “Even if they don’t know the answer to a particular question, they will know how to connect you with someone who will know the answer.”
Pradhan encouraged the group of new employees to participate in the array of professional development opportunities offered by the medical school as they grow and learn in their new roles.
“Take advantage of all of the wonderful knowledge that you can gain at WMed,” Pradhan said.
For her part, Dr. Horneffer-Ginter told the group of the importance of getting involved with a group or activity at WMed that is over and above, and outside, of their job description. Doing so, she said, offers “opportunities to meet people outside of your team and department.”
“Over time, that really adds enrichment to your work life,” Dr. Horneffer-Ginter said.
When he got the opportunity to speak at the luncheon, Dr. Sawyer told the new employees that WMed is fortunate to have faculty and staff who are extremely knowledgeable in their fields and skilled at what they do each day as part of the medical school community.
“One of the really amazing things about this place is everybody here is really incredibly good at what they do and what they do is extremely valuable,” Dr. Sawyer said. “So, if you ever get the chance to talk to some of our highly professional people here who are not part of something you normally do you will learn that the depth of knowledge is amazing.
“It’s really a great place to work,” he added.
Daudert said the breakfasts and luncheons have been a hit with new employees and he has received positive feedback. The next event for new employees is set to be held in January.