MUSC opens airy, welcoming wellbeing space on Charleston campus

MUSC’s first wellbeing space on the downtown campus opened on Sept. 5,  giving employees, faculty and students a place to recharge, renew and restore. 

The 4,000-square-foot space, a joint effort between Medical University Hospital Authority (MUHA) and MUSC College of Medicine, is located on the 7^th floor atrium of the former children’s hospital on Ashley Avenue. It will be badge accessible 24/7.

The wellbeing space is one of several for employees and students. In July, MUSC Health West Ashley Medical Pavilion opened a similar space for employees.

“Creating a culture of wellbeing among our workforce and students and supporting their needs are an explicit part of MUSC’s wellbeing strategic plan, and that includes enabling our employees and students to take breaks,” said MUSC chief wellbeing officer Heather Farley, M.D. “Wellbeing spaces are one potential way to do that.”

MUSC’s wellbeing strategy is also a key component of the OneMUSC strategic plan and a tangible example of how MUSC is prioritizing wellbeing and bringing it into the workplace, Farley said.

 

“Our employees have been asking for this. It is the culmination of a grassroots effort, one that acknowledges the need for work-life harmony and a place where employees and students can step away from their day-to-day work to rest, reflect and recharge.” 

The area has undergone an extensive refresh, with white paint throughout and light-oak flooring. The space features a soaring ceiling and full-length Palladian windows on one side that overlook the MUSC Horseshoe. 

“It’s a beautiful space, with an open concept design and lots of natural light,” said Blair Woodberry, operations manager for the MUSC Health-Charleston Division. “We wanted to turn it into a spot where people want to come, spend time and relax.”

Woodberry said the space features four specific areas:  

• A section centered on meditation, with yoga mats and bolsters where people can stretch, relax and meditate.
• A reading section with wingback chairs and upholstered stools for people to read, put their feet up or just relax.
• A gathering space with high-top tables.
• A collaborative space that includes a sectional sofa, beanbag seating and a coffee table. 

An isolation pod is also available. 

“Our purpose was for each corner to offer something different,” said Ni-cole Mullinax Bernier, MUSC Wellness and Resilience manager. “We want to create these very peaceful, quiet spaces where people can read, meditate, pray or use earbuds to listen to music or their phones. MUSC is taking the wellbeing of our employees seriously, and we want them to utilize these spaces throughout their work week.”

No food or drink will be allowed, but Woodberry said the space will be assessed after six months to determine what changes might be necessary to meet the needs of employees and students. 

 

“It’s a huge space, and so far, we’ve concentrated on getting it open and operational,” she explained. “This is just Phase 1, and we’re looking forward to adding more and making it even more enjoyable.”  

Farley said creating wellbeing spaces and incorporating microbreaks into workflow are part of a nationwide trend in health care, one she wants to build on at MUSC by creating opportunities for employees to take microbreaks.

“More health systems are investing in the wellbeing of their health care workforce and supporting them,” she said. “It’s important for us to acknowledge our humanity and recognize that as human beings, we’re not wired to work 10 to 12 hours at peak performance without breaks. To perform optimally, we need microbreaks; it’s how we are wired.”

Future wellbeing areas may vary depending on space availability and departmental needs, but Woodberry said her team is ready to support departments with recommendations and give people the autonomy to determine what meets their needs. 

Meanwhile, the MUSC wellbeing strategic plan has been approved by both Team SC and President's Council. Operational planning will commence in September and Farley is optimistic about the impact it will have on care team members, faculty, staff and students.

“We have a strong connection to our mission because we are doing something so meaningful and important. What we do matters, but we must recharge our batteries. There is power in reconnecting to the joy, the meaning and purpose of our work.”

For more information on MUSC’s wellbeing resources, including peer support, mental health care and professional development, visit MUSC’s Well-Being Collective