Bullying and incivility are not training problems.
They are organizational problems.
A different kind of engagement — built to change how your organization operates, not just how people feel after a workshop.
If your systems tolerate disrespect, reward silence, or fail to hold leaders accountable, no amount of training will create lasting change. We partner with health systems to identify root causes, build structural accountability, and implement culture change that sticks — and is measurable.
GROUNDED IN THE
Healthy Workforce Framework™
Our consulting engagements are structured around the same proprietary framework that drives our keynotes, workshops, and Academy programs.
Sustainable culture change requires more than education. It requires strategy, structure, and accountability.
We don’t come in with a generic framework and leave. We partner with your leadership team to assess what’s actually driving disruptive behavior, build a practical roadmap to address it, and stay engaged to make sure the change holds. Our work is tied to the outcomes your board, CNO, and CHRO already track.
Five integrated engagements. One system for lasting change.
Culture Assessment
Before anything changes, you need to know exactly what you’re dealing with. We assess your workplace climate, leadership behaviors, communication breakdowns, and structural barriers to respect — giving you a clear, honest picture of where your organization actually stands.
- A clear picture of where disruptive behavior originates and why it persists
- Insight into leadership gaps, system failures, and cultural blind spots
- Baseline data your team can use to measure progress and report to leadership
Strategic Action Planning
Assessment without a plan is just documentation. We build a practical, prioritized roadmap that addresses the root causes — not just the symptoms — with clear ownership, timelines, and accountability built in from the start.
- Policies and behavioral reporting systems that actually get used
- Clear leadership expectations tied to performance and accountability
- Mechanisms to hold leaders and teams responsible for professional conduct
- Communication norms that reduce conflict and build interprofessional trust
- Measurement plans to demonstrate ROI to your board and executive team
Leadership Coaching & Advisory Support
Most leaders don’t avoid difficult conversations because they don’t care — they avoid them because they don’t have a method. We coach your leaders to handle conflict directly, address behavior in the moment, and build the kind of trust that sustains a healthy team.
- Confront and correct disruptive behavior in the moment — not weeks later
- Coach difficult employees without fear of retaliation or escalation
- Build team trust through consistent, accountable leadership
- Lead courageous conversations with clarity and without apology
- Sustain momentum so culture change doesn't fade after the first quarter
Building the Operating System for a Healthy Workforce
One engagement doesn’t change a culture. A repeatable system does. We work with your organization to hardwire the Healthy Workforce Framework™ into your operations — so professionalism, respect, and accountability become the standard, not the exception, long after our engagement ends.
- Embedded behavioral standards across units, departments, and leadership levels
- Leader accountability systems that outlast any individual program or trainer
- A culture where disruptive behavior is immediately rejected — not quietly tolerated
Department Culture Change Initiative
Department Culture Change Initiative (DCCI) is a one-year, fully guided transformation process that equips leaders, physicians, and team members to build and sustain a professional, respectful, high-performing culture. We don’t just train your team. We embed the change through assessment, shared standards, skill-building, and coaching, so it sticks long after we leave.
- A guided one-year process that embeds change rather than relying on one-off training
- Validated baseline and reassessment data to measure progress and prove impact to leadership
- Lasting results: stronger retention, better team relationships, and fewer disruptive behaviors
OUR FRAMEWORK
One framework. Three ways forward.
Every Healthy Workforce engagement strengthens organizations, equips leaders, and empowers teams. Choose how much of the work you want to lead yourself.
01
Foundation
Self-guided. You lead the work,
we give you the system.
Get HWI’s framework, tools, and Academy access so your internal team can start culture work with a proven playbook.
- Framework toolkit and assessment tools
- Academy access and role-based script library
- 90-day implementation roadmap
02
Guided
Done with you. Live coaching and accountability built in.
Our core engagement. We work alongside your team with monthly culture calls, leader coaching, and tailored implementation by department.
- Everything in Foundation
- Monthly culture calls and leader office hours
- Tailored rollout, accountability check-ins, and executive touchpoints
03
Partnership
Done for you. Full transformation, embedded in your organization.
Our core engagement. We work alongside your team with monthly culture calls, leader coaching, and tailored implementation by department.
- Everything in Guided
- Department Culture Change Initiative implementation
- Onsite and virtual consulting at scale, with executive alignment
Not sure which one fits your organization?
THE COST OF PASSIVE LEADERSHIP
The longer disruptive behavior goes unaddressed, the more it costs — in every way that matters.
- Turnover accelerates — at an average replacement cost of $60k per nurse
- Employee engagement declines — and your best people leave first
- Psychological safety erodes — making it harder to retain, recruit, and perform
- Patient care suffers — because teams that don't trust each other don't communicate well
- Leaders burn out — carrying problems they were never equipped to solve
WHAT LEADERS SAY
What healthcare leaders say about our consulting.
Our organization was indeed fortunate to experience Dr. Mitch Kusy and his rigorous approach to improving organizational culture, while also making everyone feel comfortable and relaxed every single time! Mitch led us on a 9 month journey that started with only three departments but ultimately “infected” the entire hospital with each department anxious to get on the bandwagon for change. It was thrilling to see so many staff become engaged and excited. I attribute Mitch’s rich understanding of human behavior and his broad experience with myriad healthcare organizations as keys to success. We were delighted to work with him and recommend him and his approach to any complex organization in search of improvement.
Dr. Renee Thompson has generated a Healthy Workforce culture that has empowered all staff to recognize and commit to a ‘zero tolerance’ for incivility. Thank you Dr. Thompson for sharing your expertise that led to our organizations’ ability to identify and address issues so that we have a “Healthy Workforce Environment.
The HWI is a much needed resource to the healthcare setting. Experiencing a healthcare environment in which people are tired, experiencing PTSD from pandemic work, turnover rates at an all-time high, new hires with little or no hands on patient care experience, inexperienced leaders, and the tsunami of worker shortages are all adding to the turbulence of the setting. Leaders need the skills to address these tumultuous times. I’ve had the opportunity to work with the HWI while at two different healthcare organizations. The impact of their guidance in equipping leaders to handle the resulting disruptive behaviors has enabled us to move to a more respectful work culture. The work with the HWI should be a requirement of all leaders working in healthcare
Working with the Healthy Workforce Institute has truly transformed our department. The changes we've implemented have profoundly impacted our workplace culture. There's a new level of energy and commitment among the staff, and we've seen significant improvements in morale and productivity. The strategies provided by the Institute have been practical and effective, helping us to address and overcome various challenges. One of the most noticeable changes is the improved communication within the team. We are now more cohesive and supportive of each other, which has made a huge difference in our daily operations. The continuous support and resources from the Institute have been invaluable, allowing us to sustain these positive changes and keep moving forward. Overall, the Healthy Workforce Institute partnership has been a game-changer for us, and we look forward to continuing to grow from here.
Before working with the Healthy Workforce Institute (HWI), we struggled with a toxic work culture, and our engagement and safety scores were at an all-time low. We lacked the tools to give feedback and hold each other accountable. HWI’s certification program transformed how we worked as an interprofessional team, providing the platform to create a healthy work environment. Since then, we’ve seen an 18% increase in engagement scores, better communication, and a more respectful and professional team dynamic. I’m proud to be part of this program and see its positive impact on our department
Since partnering with the Healthy Workforce Institute, we’ve experienced significant positive changes in our department’s culture. Our teams are more engaged than ever, leading to numerous wins and an overall sense of accomplishment. The strategies we’ve implemented have improved our workflow and fostered a more supportive and collaborative environment. The transformation has been remarkable, and we are grateful for the continued guidance and support from the Healthy Workforce Institute
Being a part of the Healthy Workforce Initiative has been invigorating. This program has significantly enhanced workplace harmony and leadership growth. The support and insights provided have been instrumental in improving operational efficiency and outcomes. I am amazed at the positive impact a healthy workforce has on achieving optimal results. Renee and her team are to be commended for this phenomenal program. We’re in our third year, and our first cohort of leaders is already paying it forward. Thank you, Healthy Workforce Team, for being difference makers. We are improving each day!
Before the Healthy Workforce Institute (HWI), our NICU was plagued by toxic relationships, gossip, and a lack of respect. Silence around disruptive behaviors was the norm, making it difficult to address the issues. Bringing in HWI brought a crucial awareness that staying silent equals acceptance. With the tools and scripts provided, we've started having the hard conversations needed to change our culture. Our engagement scores have steadily improved, and while it's still a work in progress, our nurses are beginning to feel more empowered to speak up. This program has made a significant impact, and I’m confident that the hard work we’re putting in now will continue to pay off.
Before working with the Healthy Workforce Institute (HWI), our team was dealing with issues of incivility and struggling to work well together. Many staff members were hesitant to speak up and we knew something had to change. HWI came in at the perfect time. They were like a breath of fresh air, helping our team develop crucial communication skills, find their voices, and build trust. Since completing the certification program, incivility has significantly decreased, and even the quietist team members are now speaking up, knowing their opinions matter. The changes have been monumental, and our team is now working together better than ever.
Before partnering with the Healthy Workforce Institute (HWI), my team faced low morale, burnout, and incivility, resulting in significant turnover. HWI provided us with essential tools for improving communication and addressing incivility proactively. The impact was immediate: our engagement score rose to 92.3%, turnover dropped, and we started attracting top talent. Our department is now recognized as a great place to work. As a leader, I feel empowered, and our patient care outcomes have improved significantly. This program truly works.
Before working with the Healthy Workforce Institute (HWI), our critical care unit was a toxic environment that was overwhelming and challenging. The HWI team provided the tools and courage we needed to address negative behaviors in the moment, which completely transformed our culture. Four years later, the department is unrecognizable—staff are collaborative, engaged, and love their jobs. The program didn’t just change our unit; it changed how we work together, creating a positive, supportive environment. I’m incredibly grateful for the transformation
As the Chief Nursing Officer, I am thrilled with the profound and lasting changes I’ve witnessed since implementing HWF practices. Not only did I observe immediate improvements during my rounds, but the transformation in our unit cultures has been remarkable. Our team members have fully embraced these practices, and the positive impact is clear. We’re now successfully expanding this engagement to two more units in our hospital, with strong participation from our leaders, team members, and providers. The momentum is truly inspiring.
I am thrilled with our NICU’s healthy workforce journey. We are seeing measurable improvements in our RN Engagement survey and the department is outperforming national benchmarks in quality, interprofessional collaboration, and leadership access.
GET STARTED
Ready to move from managing the symptoms to solving the problem?
Let’s talk about what’s driving disruptive behavior in your organization and what a
consulting engagement could look like for your team.