Wellness Captains Create Sustainable Culture of Well-being

Supporting the well-being of its approximately 80,000 caregivers is a priority for Cleveland Clinic. Across the health system, an expanding network of Wellness Champions has volunteered to share resources with colleagues and organize local wellness activities. Over time, however, the network has grown rapidly — expanding from 80 champions a decade ago to more than 670 in 2026 — making it harder to keep track of wellness efforts happening at the local level.

“We quickly realized we needed to put someone in charge at each location to bring all the Wellness Champions together, tailor programming and communications to the needs of their caregivers and serve as the primary point of contact for wellness resources in their work environment,” explains Matt Reifsnyder, Program Manager on the Caregiver Well-being team.

In July 2025, Cleveland Clinic launched a team of Wellness Captains to:

• Create a consistent and sustainable culture of well-being
• Engage Wellness Champions with organizing activities for local caregivers and the communities they serve
• Increase networking opportunities and share wellness best practices

Today, there are 28 volunteer Wellness Captains spread among Cleveland Clinic locations in Ohio, Florida and Canada.

The role of Wellness Captains

Wellness Captains work in various positions, from nurse managers to administrators, but they share an enthusiasm for wellness. They dedicate at least five hours per month to the role. Responsibilities include:

• Leading a monthly Wellness Committee meeting
• Planning at least one wellness activity or program per quarter
• Tracking activity results, and recording monthly meeting minutes
• Attending a quarterly meeting with other Wellness Captains
• Organizing, evaluating and recruiting Wellness Champions

“Since implementing the Wellness Captains, there is a lot more activity at the local level than there was this time last year,” Reifsnyder says. “Many teams are interacting with caregivers, getting information out and putting together exciting events and programs.”

Innovative events and programs

Walking clubs are a common initiative at many locations, and Wellness Captains are finding ways to boost participation.

“Many captains are reimagining walking trails, whether it’s a path inside the hospital or an outdoor area,” Reifsnyder explains. “They map out routes and encourage caregivers from different areas of the hospital to join the club. It’s like a mini community that grows over time.”

Wellness Captains and Champions have also developed several innovative programs, including:

1. Fall Back Smoothly – Fairview Hospital led a campaign tied to the end of daylight-saving time. They set up tables at three hospital entrances and near the cafeteria to distribute flyers with tips on managing the effects of the time change, including advice on sleep and shift adaptation, light exposure and hydration.
2. Stronger by Spring – A team at Main Campus ran a program from November 2025 through March 2026 to inspire caregivers to “use the stillness of winter to make strides toward a healthier you.” Participants underwent a baseline body composition scan at the start, completed their favorite strength and cardiovascular exercises at their own pace, then repeated the scan at the end. They shared their biggest gains with Wellness Champions, who awarded prizes.
3. Gardening webinar – Another team at Main Campus held a webinar called “From Orchids to Onions,” where four panelists shared their gardening expertise. The event attracted 120 participants.

“During quarterly meetings, Wellness Captains share information about their events and best practices,” Reifsnyder says. “It’s a valuable venue to network. If something works at one hospital, it will often work well at another location, too.”

Healthy employees, healthy organizations

Reifsnyder offers advice for other healthcare organizations that would like to implement or rejuvenate wellness initiatives. “It starts with senior leadership. They have to be on board and fully support it,” he says. “Then you have to find great caregivers that are passionate about wellness to champion the programs.”

Next, Reifsnyder recommends creating organizational structure. “At Cleveland Clinic, I monitor the entire program, then we have Wellness Captains at each location spearheading the local teams and Wellness Champions who do the work.”

In large healthcare systems, local engagement is critical.

“If you have boots on the ground – people ingrained in the wellness culture – it’s more likely to be an ongoing effort,” Reifsnyder says.

And the benefits extend beyond individual well-being.

“When caregivers feel like their wellness is being valued it goes a long way toward the health of the organization,” he adds. “Caregivers are happier, they call off a lot less, and they stay with the organization longer.”