Kara C. Halstead Named to New Role of Executive Director for Engagement and Administrative Services

Highland welcomes Kara C. Halstead to the new role of Executive Director for Engagement and Administrative Services. Halstead is serving as an integral member of the senior leadership team, leading the creation and implementation of engagement strategies and fostering the ideal experience for employees, providers, patients, and their families. She is also providing administrative direction and oversight of the Patient Relations department, Employee Health Services, Volunteer Services & Employee Events, and the Medical Staff Office.

“This role is devoted to cultivating a resilient and committed culture that embodies the Highland Promise, sustaining a community of belonging, engagement and overall excellence among Highland employees and providers,” said Cindy Becker, Highland Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “Kara is a natural for the role because of her recent experiences at UR Medicine, serving as Senior Administrative Director for the University of Rochester Medical Faculty Group, and prior to that, as Director of Service Excellence & Physician Liaison and then Director of Organizational Improvement & Physician Liaison at Highland.”

Highland has meant a lot to Halstead over the years. “I loved what I was doing at URMFG but I knew if the right role at the right time came up at Highland, I would welcome the opportunity to return” she said. “I have always had a special place in my heart for Highland with its stellar medical staff, dedicated employees, committed volunteers and longstanding history of being a high quality, compassionate place for care in our community.”

Halstead is excited about her new role. “When I was at Highland several years ago we launched our initiative focused on patient-family centered care,” she said. “My focus now is to go beyond that and form a comprehensive and strategic approach that integrates the overall experience for patients, their families, providers and staff.” 

Almost two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, Halstead believes that the time has never been more important to focus on provider and staff experience.  “Our staff have always been committed and resilient, they are at the heart of what makes Highland special,” she said.  “Health care workers under normal conditions endure so much, but the pandemic has taken a significant toll. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues to provide programs and services to help the support staff and make them feel appreciated for the work they do.”

At the top of Halstead’s priorities are engagement strategies that recognize the unique circumstances impacting the wellbeing of providers and staff. “This is an unprecedented time in health care,” said Halstead. “The resiliency of those on the front line has been nothing short of miraculous for almost two full years but now more than ever, we need to find new ways of demonstrating to our workforce that we see them, we know how incredibly hard they are working and we appreciate them. ” she said.

The engagement strategies that Halstead will focus on include wellbeing and resiliency, reward and recognition, the annual engagement survey and supporting organization-wide initiatives that highlight the Highland culture. She is working closely with Amy S. Galiana, Chief Human Resources Officer and the Human Resources team on these important initiatives. 

Halstead believes in the importance of good communication and shared decision making and will be soliciting feedback from providers and staff on their priorities and what they want and need in the workplace. “Taking the time to listen and to provide a constant feedback loop will be important to our efforts to engage staff and ensure that Highland continues to be a place where people want to work. We know that happy staff provide exceptional experiences for our patients.  I’m excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for Highland and humbled to be working amongst our communities finest.”

2/3/2022

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