Janet Smith-Hill, RN, MSN, SPHR, is the chief human resources officer at SSM Health, a Catholic, not-for-profit health system serving communities across the Midwest. In her role as CHRO, Ms. Smith-Hill is responsible for talent acquisition, management, and retention, compensation, diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as talent systems and culture. As a Certified Professional Coach, Ms. Smith-Hill brings a growth mindset to her work supporting team member engagement and well-being.
But, like many executives – and especially those with clinical backgrounds – Ms. Smith-Hill also plays the role of family caregiver. During the pandemic, two of Ms. Smith-Hill’s family members were hospitalized, requiring support from family members who were restricted in their ability to visit and provide direct support.
In this episode, Ms. Smith-Hill and I discuss the challenges of providing support to loved ones receiving care during the pandemic. We talk about the importance of strong communication, and the emotional impact of feeling disconnected. Finally, we look ahead to how family support will evolve as the pandemic subsides.
Links Related to Ms. Smith-Hill’s Podcast
- STAT: Even during a pandemic, hospitals must make family visits and communication the standard of care
- KHN: For Each Critically Ill COVID Patient, a Family Is Suffering, Too
- Yale Medicine: Doctors Care for Family Members, Too, When Patients Are in ICU
- AMA Journal of Ethics: Patient- and Family-Centered Care: It’s Not Just for Pediatrics Anymore
- Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care: Changing Hospital “Visiting” Policies
