Q&A with Christina Bennett, Vice President, People Support

Q: People Support launched just a few months ago. How would you describe your team’s role within VNS Health?

The People Support team is designed to do just what its name says: provide support for all VNS Health employees. People Support, overall, is about problem-solving, gathering information, and creating strategies for success to elevate each team’s culture, environment, and pathways to growth. The recently created position of HR Business Partners (HRBPs) is a key part of this. Each team at VNS Health has an HR Business Partner who collaborates with the Centers of Expertise and consults with the leadership team to make sure everyone is pulling in the same direction.

Q: What are some of the ways People Support will meet team members’ needs?

The People Support team is here to identify all of the people-related needs of each team and work with team members, leaders, and the HR Centers of Expertise to develop specific strategies to meet those needs. This includes providing leaders with the tools necessary to lead team members in the best way, and plan for and build a productive team. They also investigate and mediate disagreements or policy violations to ensure all employees have safe and productive relationships with their leaders and within their teams.

Q: Can you share an example of how a People Support initiative is having (or will have) an impact on our people and/or culture?

I think our HR Business Partners are a good example of how we’re improving our culture by enhancing communication and collaboration across VNS Health. Each HRBP supports a specific senior leadership team. They attend department meetings and speak regularly with them in order to fully understand their needs and help them build out and implement their team’s people goals. This ensures that the HRBPs can provide each leader with the strategic partnership and people-related resources they need to lead successful teams and foster a supportive culture and growth mindset.

Q: Looking ahead, what other programs or initiatives is the People Support team planning?

The People Support team has only been fully formed since April so our very existence is new! Since then we have been partnering with leaders to understand each team’s needs and help them build engagement, and, ultimately, achieve the organization’s goals. We look forward to continuing and evolving this work going forward.