Renown Health, the largest locally-owned healthcare network in northern Nevada, Lake Tahoe, and northeast California, operates four hospitals and 100 medical practice sites with over 7,500 employees. In 2021, amid the global pandemic, Renown partnered with Perceptyx to strengthen employee engagement through data-driven insights.
"We have really focused on creating a people-first culture," explained Nicole Petersen, Renown's Director of People Development. "When we say 'people first,' it makes a difference in how employees view the organization. You have to keep repeating the message and ensure people really hear it. But any people-first culture begins with listening. It all starts with listening."
Always-on Listening Drives Strategic Alignment
One standout feature of Renown's employee engagement strategy is its focus on continuous listening, conducted via a comprehensive annual survey in June followed by a December pulse survey. This approach proved crucial when employees’ understanding of the company’s strategic direction dropped to 63% in 2022. Through targeted initiatives, including CEO-led town halls and thoughtful communication, this metric jumped to 78% within a year.
What makes this improvement particularly impressive is its contrast to industry trends, coming at a time when understanding of future vision is among the EX factors declining most nationally across healthcare systems. "Our CEO, Dr. Brian Erling, leads a monthly town hall where he speaks to team members and answers questions in real-time," Petersen shared. The organization also leverages multiple communication channels and established a "Culture Crew" focused on employee initiatives, fostering a stronger sense of connection.
Employee Insights Aid in Navigating Change
Like all healthcare organizations, Renown faced unprecedented challenges during the global pandemic. The partnership with Perceptyx provided crucial capabilities to navigate these changes effectively. Through robust analytics and action planning, the organization gained deep insights into employee sentiment and took targeted action to address concerns.
"We saw a dip in our engagement data, especially in 2022," Petersen noted. However, the insights gained from the Perceptyx platform enabled Renown to implement targeted strategies that led to a remarkable turnaround: "We've since increased by six points as an organization."
Data Insights Help Foster a Culture of Development
Renown's commitment to employee development has been a key driver of its success. "We have a high-potential program designed to retain and engage our high-performing employees," Petersen said. These initiatives, complemented by tuition reimbursement and student loan payment programs, demonstrate a commitment to long-term employee growth.
The organization's investment in people has yielded impressive results. In addition to the six-point increase in overall engagement scores, correlating with improved financial performance, Renown’s annual engagement survey maintains an impressive 84% response rate, reflecting a workforce that feels heard and valued.
Looking ahead, Renown continues to focus on strengthening manager relationships and optimizing onboarding processes. "We're doubling down on leadership development initiatives," Petersen noted. "We're investing more in developing tools for leaders to support their teams."
Read the full customer story to discover how Renown Health's partnership with Perceptyx created a data-driven culture of employee engagement and high performance.