Prioritizing self-care at Northwell Health
At Northwell Health, the well-being of our team members is a top priority. We have over 100 wellness programs designed to help our team members and their families build healthy habits, manage stress, sleep better, strengthen their fiscal responsibility and plan self-care.
One of the many ways Northwell supports the well-being of our team members is through our annual Go for the Gold Paris Movement Challenge. Each year, our Team Member Wellness team features a different destination to help employees learn more about different locations throughout the world. This year was unique because instead of highlighting a specific country as a destination, the team highlighted the venues of the Paris Olympic games. In 2024, more than 3,500 teams made up of 19,100+ team members competed in the challenge. Each team of up to six colleagues had six weeks to walk approximately two million steps collectively to reach the final Olympic venue. Ten teams overall were selected – such as the CLI Steppin’ Squad and the Hot Chili Steppers, among the rest — with each participant receiving a $5,000 prize.
This initiative motivates team members to build in movement while working as a team. The encouragement to stay active and make healthier choices has a ripple effect, inspiring family and friends to join in and help motivate our participants. Team members are incentivized to get active not only by tracking steps with a wearable device, but by leveraging an app for tracking healthier habits, like a device-free bedtime routine and drinking enough water daily.
“The Go for the Gold Paris 2024 movement challenge is a fun way to bond with my team and compete against other teams from my hospital. I like that all teams that cross the finish line are eligible to win the grand prize, and your team doesn’t have to come in first place overall.”
– Karyn, Registered Nurse, Zucker Hillside Hospital
From walks outdoors during lunch to gathering with friends on days off, our teams found fun ways to get their steps in while gaining more exercise and energy, developing healthy habits and improving mental health. In addition, for our remote team members, it provides a unique chance to connect with their teammates even if not in person.
Subscribe to our blogs
Stay up to date with stories you want to know more about right to your email inbox.