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Sustainable Strategies to Support Wellbeing for Healthcare Professionals
This panel has been approved for 1.50 ACHE Virtual Interactive Education Credits.
In the wake of the pandemic, pre-existing challenges with healthcare professional burnout have only accelerated. This has resulted in challenges for these individuals and their loved ones, as well as workforce shortages that are putting a strain on the healthcare system. In addition, adverse patient events have been attributed to healthcare staff who have had trouble sleeping, reduced job satisfaction, impaired behavior, and anxiety. These attributes contribute to more serious consequences such as burnout, depression, post-traumatic disorder, and suicidal ideation. Healthcare leaders often struggle with finding long-term solutions to address an important but personal issue for their staff and organization. During this panel, participants will learn sustainable strategies and approaches that will address wellbeing and resiliency for healthcare professionals in today’s healthcare environment. Even when leaders recognize this as a problem, they are often presented with confusing information or get-better-quick solutions that bring no lasting change and can sometimes increase cynicism among employees. During this panel, participants will learn the importance of supporting and sustaining well-being for healthcare professionals in today’s health care environment.
Moderator:
Nick Kagal, FACHE, FHIMSS
HX Client Success Manager
Press Ganey
Panelists:
Dr. Debbie Hillard
Licensed Psychologist
Texas Health Employee Assistance Program Director
Jasmine Mitchell
Director of Patient Experience
Medical City Arlington
Kimberly Williams
Clinical Excellence Program Manager
Texas Health Resources
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Speakers Bios:
Dr. Debbie Hillard earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) in 2002 and soon after she served as an Administrator and Clinician for the Johns Hopkins University/Johns Hopkins Hospital Employee Assistance Program, a role she held until 2011. Building on her experience at Johns Hopkins, she has served as Director of the Texas Health Employee Assistance Program since 2016—providing strategic leadership and compassionate support for workplace mental health and wellness initiatives. She draws on extensive expertise in counseling, organizational support, and program development. Her approach centers on designing responsive, confidential services that empower employees through life’s challenges and transitions. As a trusted partner to HR teams and executive leadership, Dr. Hillard delivers data-informed insights and proactive outreach solutions that strengthen performance, resilience, and retention.
Her work bridges the gap between individual care and organizational culture—creating environments where employees feel seen, supported, and equipped to thrive.
Nick Kagal has three decades of experience in the healthcare industry and has held leadership roles with several major DFW provider organizations including Parkland Health & Hospital System, HealthSouth & Medical Center of Plano. Nick is a Customer Success Executive at Press Ganey, and was previously the Vice President of Marketing, Business Development, and Customer Success at SpinSci Technologies, a leading patient engagement solutions provider. Prior to this Nick served as the Senior Director of Customer Success with Premier Inc for the Western United States.
Nick received his BA in Biology & Psychology from Austin College and an MBA from the Texas A&M University. He is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and the Healthcare Information Management and Systems Society (HIMSS) and serves on the boards of both ACHE of North Texas and DFW HIMSS. Nick has also been a national reviewer, moderator, and presenter for the Annual HIMSS Conference & Exhibition, served on the HIMSS National Professional Development Committee, and currently serves on the Governance and Operations Chapter Task Force. Nick lives in McKinney, Texas, and is an avid sports fan, a weekend warrior athlete, a long-distance cyclist and plays guitar & bass in the local cover band Sonic Dissonance.
Jasmine Mitchell has over 16 years of combined customer service and healthcare experience. Throughout her career, she has championed service and operational excellence initiatives to help organizations enhance service quality, quality of care, employee engagement, and patient satisfaction.
Prior to her current role as Director of Patient Experience at Medical City Arlington, Jasmine has worked in retail leadership and several departments of healthcare, including Billing, Emergency Services, Clinical Research, Quality Management, Volunteer Services, Patient Experience, and Nursing Professional Development.
Jasmine’s academic journey reflects her commitment to continuous learning and professional development. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Health Studies, and completed her Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science at Texas Woman’s University.
Jasmine could not be where she is today without her friends, family, and high school sweetheart turned husband; their love and continuous support enables her to do the work she loves. To meaningfully impact the lives of those she serves, Jasmine operates with the core values of authenticity, relationality, and transcendence as she seeks to help others find their passion, fulfill their purpose, and find peace.
Kimberly Williams serves as Clinical Excellence Program Manager at Texas Health Resources, bringing over 27 years of nursing experience to her role. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing, is certified in maternal-newborn nursing, and holds advanced certification as a nurse executive.
Her clinical expertise spans trauma, orthopedics, and mother-baby care. Kimberly’s innovative leadership has been instrumental in advancing mentorship and staff development across the organization. In 2024, she became a Faith Community Health Promoter, an honor granted by her organization that reflects her commitment to holistic wellness and healthcare survivorship. She has also completed resiliency facilitator training through the Center of Resiliency and is currently pursuing certification as a Certified Resiliency Facilitator.
Driven by her passion for community service, Kimberly founded The Chrysalis Movement in 2018, a program dedicated to empowerment and transformation. She also shares her love of movement as a certified Zumba instructor at a local community center. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she uncovered a new creative outlet—jewelry design—and launched her own business, K ‘Marie Lynn Jewels.
Above all, Kimberly cherishes her role as wife to Jarvis, her husband of 25 years, and as a proud mother to her two sons, Jayden (24) and Jonathan (17)—her greatest sources of joy.
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