This episode of Key in to Quality asks a simple but profound question: what if the way we talk with patients could transform their care and our own experience as clinicians?

Clear, empathic communication builds trust, improves diagnostic accuracy, and tightens adherence and relationships. Mayo Clinic’s Communication in Health Care program treats communication as a core clinical competency, not an optional “soft skill.” Faculty from multiple specialties lead retreat-style courses for new providers that blend facilitated conversations, skills practice, and real-time feedback. Listeners will hear how the program supports clinician well-being, reinforces professionalism, and helps sustain a culture where being heard, understood, and respected is central to care.

Guests:

Cory Ingram, MD, MS,FAAHPM | LinkedIn

Susan Romanski, M.D.

Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/

Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/

#mayokeyintoquality

Post-pandemic shifts to virtual, abbreviated onboarding have left many new staff feeling isolated, less confident, and more likely to burn out.

In this episode of Key in to Quality, listeners get a peek into what’s working at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. A nursing team developed an enculturation toolkit designed to intentionally root new nurses in Mayo Clinic’s mission, values, and cultural heritage. The toolkit organizes existing institutional resources into leader-ready activities aligned with evidence-based principles of engagement, meaning, connection, and reflective practice. It supports diverse learning needs and reinforces culture for both new and seasoned staff.

Pilot results showed sustained engagement, stronger understanding of mission and values, and observable behavioral improvements that enrich teamwork and patient experience. The approach is now being explored for broader implementation and potential licensing.

Guests: Crystal Grys | LinkedIn Melania Flores | LinkedIn

Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/

Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/

#mayokeyintoquality

Healthcare safety often focuses on what went wrong, but what about the moments when harm is stopped before it ever reaches the patient?

In this Key in to Quality episode, host Tim Morgenthaler, M.D., and co-host Sheri Nemec talk with Shari Ochoa, M.D., Ashley Stapp, and Beth Terrio from Mayo Clinic Arizona about the Good Catch “safety in action” program.

They describe how a grassroots idea launched during COVID-19 with simple email shout-outs has grown into a robust recognition program with scoring criteria, dashboards, campus boards, and even a traveling trophy. Along the way, they highlight psychological safety, the five safe behaviors, and the value of recognizing both self-reported and peer-nominated good catches.

Listeners will hear practical advice on starting small, building infrastructure, developing meaningful metrics, and shifting culture from “gotcha” to “good catch,” so staff feel safe speaking up.

#mayokeyintoquality #patientsafety #keyintoquality #qualityimprovement #safetyculture

Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/

Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/

#mayokeyintoquality