Eagle’s Trace, a retirement community in West Houston managed by Erickson Living, is celebrated for fostering strong social connections among its residents. Margaret Kennedy, a resident, highlights the ease of making friends and the supportive environment. The community's proactive measures during the pandemic ensured residents' safety, allowing them to continue enjoying a vibrant lifestyle. The article underscores the importance of community living, especially during times of social distancing.

Highland Springs, a senior living community in North Dallas managed by Erickson Living, provides comprehensive and coordinated healthcare through a dedicated team of medical professionals. Led by Dr. Mary Norman, the community adapted swiftly to the COVID-19 pandemic by implementing telehealth services, ensuring residents continued to receive essential care. The community's efforts were met with appreciation from residents, who showed their support through scheduled ovations. The medical team's flexibility and consistent communication were key in maintaining the health and safety of the residents during the crisis.

Eagle’s Trace, a continuing care retirement community in West Houston, fosters a close-knit environment where relationships and word-of-mouth recommendations are pivotal. Judy Schmid moved there in July 2020, influenced by her friend Carole Payne's positive experience. Sales Director Pamela Burgeson acknowledges the significant role of personal referrals in attracting new residents. The community offers various amenities, and residents like Judy and Carole have discovered pre-existing connections within the community, enhancing their living experience.

Marvin Lane, a retired corporate controller for Texas Instruments and former board chairman for DART, chose Highland Springs for its vibrant lifestyle and sensible financial structure. Highland Springs, managed by Erickson Living, offers a variety of amenities and a strong financial model that includes a 90% refundable entrance deposit and a monthly service package. The community's financial health is robust, with a Resident Care Fund to assist eligible residents. Marvin Lane, who moved to Highland Springs with his wife Joan in 2017, has been actively involved in the community's financial committees and praises its financial structure for providing security and value to residents.

Colorado is utilizing federal relief funds to award $27 million in grants to 46 groups for workforce training and education, aiming to improve college accessibility and fill high-wage job vacancies. The Opportunity Now Colorado grant program, announced by the Polis administration, will support various initiatives, including healthcare education to address worker shortages. St. Vrain Valley Schools received $7 million to expand workforce pathway programs, while Colorado State University of Pueblo was granted over $1.39 million to combat the nursing shortage. Tepeyac Community Health Center in Denver also received funding to increase equitable access to healthcare careers. Two more rounds of funding are expected, with the next application period in August and final announcements by December 2024.

Denver plans to address youth violence by adding behavioral health staff to eight schools and deploying mobile mental health teams. The proposed pilot program, funded by federal COVID relief funds, aims to prevent violence by improving mental health support. The initiative, involving Denver Public Schools and community organizations, will run from August 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024, and focuses on encouraging attendance, assessing student needs, and connecting families with resources. The program also aims to create career pathways in behavioral health for marginalized communities.

Billionaire MacKenzie Scott has donated $1 million to Parent Possible, a Colorado-based non-profit focused on early childhood education. The donation, facilitated by Scott's foundation Yield Giving, will support the organization's mission to equip parents with tools and education to prepare their children for learning. Parent Possible serves low-income families in Colorado, providing in-home visiting services and virtual programs. The donation will help the non-profit advance its work and achieve more than previously thought possible.

Castle Pines has reintroduced goats as part of a wildfire prevention program, partnering with Goats On The Go’s Denver South affiliate. The initiative, supported by local HOAs and the Castle Pines North Metro District, aims to mitigate fire risks by clearing invasive plants. The community has responded positively, providing water for the goats. Operators Russ McKenna and Harmony Davies find personal and environmental fulfillment in their work, contributing to fire mitigation and soil reclamation. The program is fully booked through the fall, with plans to expand to more communities.

Workday now supports over 3 million healthcare workers globally, with more than 70% utilizing cloud services. The company's platforms are used across finance, HR, and supply chain departments, and are designed to integrate with the broader healthcare IT landscape, showcasing Workday's commitment to serving healthcare providers.

The retail industry is increasingly leveraging AI and ML to enhance data analytics and operationalize data, making it a new demand signal for global trends. These technologies enable retailers to translate data into actionable insights, aiding in business predictions.

The article discusses how Oracle has developed a common platform for disparate healthcare data through its data lakehouse solutions. These tools are designed to make healthcare data actionable and easily accessible for healthcare organizations, addressing the challenge of managing various types of data from intelligent device sources.

St. Luke’s University Network rapidly innovated during the pandemic to minimize ICU admissions, leveraging Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare to enhance connectivity and adhere to international healthcare standards.

SAP Healthcare's co-innovation efforts have led to the development of the OP 4.1 prototype, an advanced operating room equipped with cutting-edge medical technology and business concepts. This prototype integrates real-time data and procedural information from surgical devices, resulting in safer and more precise surgeries. The innovation allows surgeons to focus on patient care without manually combining operating room data.

The retail industry is evolving to meet consumer demands by integrating wholesale e-commerce and in-store experiences. Carrie Tharp, VP of Retail for Google Cloud, emphasizes the importance of adopting new strategies rather than merely optimizing old ones. The Industry Cloud Battleground Week event in November 2021 showcased these insights, aiming to inspire and educate business and technology leaders.

During the Automating Finance Battleground event, part of the Future Office of the CFO program, Aaron Back emphasized the importance of CFOs leading as peer leaders to break silos and foster collaboration across business areas like operations. Kenny Mullican, a CIO, highlighted the tendency for departments to become siloed, often using tools in unique ways that can lead to disparities. He stressed the importance of having a cohesive plan when implementing new organization-wide tools to break these silos.

The healthcare industry is leveraging digital technologies, particularly AI, to enhance patient care. AI aids in data analysis, diagnosis, and treatment decisions by providing statistical evidence to healthcare professionals, thereby improving research and clinical outcomes.

Oracle provides an integrated solution for collecting, storing, and processing data, which includes tools for understanding and analyzing customer segmentation. This approach helps Oracle better understand how customers are obtaining their products and services, as highlighted during the Industry Cloud Battleground Week event in November 2021.

The Wrap Podcast, hosted by Bridget Courneya, Aaron Back, and John Foley, discusses the 2021/2022 Winter Edition of the Acceleration Economy Journal, featuring analysts' predictions for 2022. Key topics include advancements in artificial intelligence, the evolution of digital transformation, cybersecurity challenges, and the database market. Notable predictions include Aaron Back's insights on Enterprise AI, Bob Evans' industry cloud forecasts, Janet Schijns' channel partnership models, and Chris Hughes' cybersecurity strategies. John Foley also highlights Cockroach Labs' new valuation and market expansion.

The Wrap Podcast team, including Bridget Courneya, Aaron Back, and John Foley, reflects on significant moments from 2021 and anticipates developments in 2022. Key highlights include the launch and growth of Acceleration Economy, the merger with Cloud Wars, and upcoming Battleground events. The Winter 2021/2022 Predictions Journal offers insights into future trends, such as the shift from 'digital transformation' to 'digital optimization.' Notable industry events and acquisitions, like Oracle's plan to acquire Cerner, are discussed. The podcast emphasizes the importance of staying updated through the Acceleration Economy Newsletter and LinkedIn page.

Workday's machine learning technology is enhancing invoice automation for healthcare customers by automating manual processes, accelerating workflows, and supporting faster cycle times. The Workday Assistant digital tool helps clinicians or supply chain staff track their supply orders, and the supplier invoice automation functionality streamlines invoice management by preparing invoices for routing and approval, reducing time and costs.

The healthcare industry is increasingly focusing on patient-centered outcomes, driven by both macro and micro-level efforts. Major companies are contributing to this shift, and the blending of healthcare with life sciences, pharmaceuticals, distribution, and logistics is further enhancing personalized patient care.

The article highlights a segment from the Industry Cloud Battleground Week focusing on the retail industry. It discusses the challenge businesses face with non-communicating systems and how Workday's solutions have helped a jeweler company improve customer experience by freeing up managers' time.

The article highlights a key moment from the Industry Cloud Battleground Week, focusing on the healthcare industry. The event, which took place in November 2021, aimed to inspire, educate, and engage business and technology leaders in defining their industry-specific cloud strategies. The emphasis was on the need to accelerate new approaches within healthcare driven by industry clouds.

McWane Plant & Industrial, a plumbing infrastructure company based in Birmingham, Alabama, improved its sales process and data management by implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM with the help of PowerObjects. The new system centralized customer data, rules, procedures, and competitive analysis, reducing errors and costs while increasing customer and employee satisfaction. The company also joined the PowerSuccess program for ongoing support and customizations, leading to a nearly 10% improvement in close rates and new upsell and cross-sell opportunities. MPI plans to expand the use of Dynamics 365 to other business units and integrate its quoting system for further growth.

Sky, a leading media and communications company in Europe, faced challenges with its on-premises Hadoop cluster in handling large volumes of diagnostic data. To address these issues, Sky partnered with Datatonic and adopted the Google Cloud Platform. This transition allowed Sky to manage and process up to 300 million events daily without manual intervention, significantly improving scalability and customer experience. The new system, leveraging Google Cloud's managed services, Apache Beam, Cloud Dataflow, BigQuery, and Cloud Storage, has enabled Sky to make well-informed business decisions and serves as a blueprint for future projects.

Mowi, a leading global seafood company, has automated its accounts payable processes by partnering with Medius AP Automation. This cloud-based solution has streamlined AP processes across Mowi's 25 worldwide locations, improving efficiency and standardization. The implementation has resulted in significant time and resource savings, enhanced visibility, and the ability to monitor and analyze process performance. The integration with Infor M3 ERP system ensures proper invoice matching and accounting, further optimizing Mowi's financial operations.

The Wrap Podcast, hosted by Bridget Courneya, Aaron Back, and John Foley, covers the latest in business and tech markets, focusing on finance automation, predictive analytics, Shadow IT, and Cloud Wars. Highlights include an upcoming webinar on the future of finance, key takeaways from Industry Cloud Battleground Week, and various articles from the Analyst Network on topics like ransomware, Shadow IT, and low-code development. The podcast also discusses the growth trajectory of predictive analytics, upcoming digital events, and the role of healthcare technology in humanizing medicine.

Whitebox, an e-commerce specialist, implemented Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) to overcome scalability challenges by partnering with SPS Commerce. This partnership allowed Whitebox to improve scalability, meet varying retailer requirements, and expedite shipment processes, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction and boosting online sales.

Sara Martin, an architect and director at Atom Power, argues that aesthetically appealing EV charging stations can drive widespread electric vehicle adoption. She highlights Tennessee's role as a hub for EV manufacturing and discusses the potential for integrating charging stations into various structures, thanks to new technology from Atom Power. This innovation not only supports clean energy but also serves as a market signal, encouraging more people to consider EVs.

Architect Sara Martin argues that integrating aesthetically appealing EV charging stations into building designs can significantly boost electric vehicle adoption. Highlighting Tennessee's role as a hub for EV manufacturing with companies like Ford, GM, VW, and Nissan, she emphasizes the importance of making EV charging stations as common and visually appealing as other building elements. Martin praises Atom Power's technology for enabling customizable EVSE, which can be seamlessly incorporated into various structures, thereby promoting a commitment to clean energy and making EVs more attractive to potential buyers.

The article discusses the complexities of selecting and maintaining well-being vendor solutions for employers, emphasizing the importance of mental health, health coaching, and financial well-being. It highlights insights from industry leaders like Jennifer Gendron of Koa Health and showcases innovative solutions from companies such as Wellview, Unmind, and Insurights. The text underscores the strategic importance of well-being in enhancing employee experience and managing costs, while also addressing the challenges posed by the increasing investment in new technologies and approaches.

The article discusses the unsustainability of fee-for-service payment models in healthcare and the growing shift towards value-based care, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the synergy between value-based care and workplace wellness, emphasizing that well-designed wellness programs can enhance employee health and create better healthcare consumers. The integration of wellness and value-based care can lead to more effective identification of health risks, stronger relationships between physicians and patients, and improved health outcomes. The article encourages wellness professionals and solutions providers to align their efforts with value-based care initiatives to maximize their impact.

MSU Denver's graduating class of 2021 celebrated their achievements with an in-person 'Paint the Town Red' event, adapting to pandemic conditions. Graduates expressed relief and joy at being able to participate in a large gathering, with some finding the modified event preferable. The event featured personal stories of perseverance and future plans, including Joe Dietz's work with 'Fishing the Good Fight', Jamonica Stanley's dedication to her family, and Raul Rodriguez's academic focus. Matthew Rose, who graduated in marketing, has a job lined up and appreciated the less pressured environment.

The global wellness economy, valued at $4.5 trillion based on 2018 data, is predominantly driven by consumer products rather than corporate solutions. WELCOA CEO Sara Martin and Heath Shackleford of Good.Must.Grow. explore the impact of the surge in consumer wellness solutions on the corporate wellness industry, discussing the challenges they pose to workplace programs and the lessons that can be learned to better engage workforces.

The article discusses the booming consumer wellness industry, highlighting how various companies, including Playboy, Amway, and L’Oreal, have shifted their focus towards wellness products and services. Despite the industry's growth, the article points out significant issues such as perpetuating inequity, lack of scientific validation, and the rise of unqualified wellness 'experts.' It contrasts the success of consumer wellness with the struggles of corporate wellness programs, suggesting that corporate wellness needs to innovate and integrate consumer wellness trends to remain relevant and effective.

The Boulder community is mourning the loss of its members, with a focus on the emotional and communal impact. The article is a photojournalistic piece capturing the sentiments and reactions of the community.

Travelling with children during the pandemic can be challenging, but it is possible with proper precautions. Key strategies include making COVID-19 safety measures fun for kids, planning nature-filled adventures to avoid crowds, renting a car instead of using public transit, visiting parks with caution, boosting children's immune systems with healthy foods and supplements, and bringing a comprehensive first aid kit. Parents are advised to be responsible travelers by postponing trips if any child shows flu-like symptoms.

The narrative explores the deep bond between the narrator, Sara, and her friend Mona, who is battling ovarian cancer. It delves into themes of friendship, sobriety, and the emotional complexities of supporting a loved one through illness. The story highlights Sara's admiration for Mona's strength and fairness, their shared experiences, and the impact of Mona's illness on Sara's life and sobriety journey. The text is rich with personal reflections and anecdotes, capturing the essence of their relationship and the profound sense of loss Sara feels as Mona's condition deteriorates.

Highland Springs, managed by Erickson Living in North Dallas, is set to open Edgewater Place, a new residence building, in summer 2021. The building will feature 107 new apartment homes with various floor plans, many offering lake views. Amenities include a new restaurant and a classroom for clubs and activities. Dallas is highlighted as a top retirement destination by Forbes, and Highland Springs mirrors these qualities with its spacious, maintenance-free homes and numerous amenities. Sales Director Christina Christie emphasizes the strong demand for the lifestyle offered at Highland Springs.

WELCOA emphasizes the importance of aligning an organization around a shared vision for employee well-being and integrating this into the overall strategic plan. The article outlines a collaborative process for strategic planning, highlighting the need for executive leadership to set a vision, ensuring all voices are heard, identifying common trends, writing the plan, and socializing it with stakeholders. This approach aims to make employees feel valued and increase their sense of ownership and buy-in for the company's strategies.

The article discusses the impact of COVID-19 on travel and the hotel industry, emphasizing the changes in travel habits and safety measures post-pandemic. It provides six tips for safe travel, including carrying safety supplies, choosing hotels that observe safety measures, researching destinations, and hotels ensuring social distancing. The article also highlights the role of hotels in sensitizing guests to follow guidelines and using digital platforms to communicate safety measures to travelers. The author, Are Morch, offers support to the community and encourages adherence to guidelines provided by health organizations and local authorities. The article concludes with a message of solidarity and resilience in the face of the pandemic's challenges to the travel industry.

WELCOA has initiated an 8-part series to explore the basic human needs for true wellness at work, emphasizing the importance of meeting these needs to make the workplace whole. The global pandemic has highlighted the necessity to adapt wellness strategies and consider how organizations can support their employees' well-being. WELCOA's definition of wellness encompasses health, meaning, safety, connection, achievement, growth, and resiliency. The future of work is seen as human-centric, requiring investment in what motivates and is essential for human wellness.

The article discusses the importance of traditional health in the workplace, emphasizing the need for wellness programs to focus on human flourishing rather than cost-reduction. It highlights the role of wellness professionals in fostering whole-person well-being, which is crucial for individual and organizational success, especially during a global pandemic. The piece also outlines the first steps to improving health in the workplace and describes how WELCOA implements health strategies within their organization. Resources and products to support health are listed, including whitepapers, infographics, and books.

Students in their freshman year of post-secondary studies are receiving significant support from Eagle’s Trace, a West Houston community managed by Erickson Living. The community's Scholarship Committee, funded primarily by resident donations, raised $77,000 in 2020 to support student employees. The committee also provides mentoring and career counseling. To be eligible for a $10,000 scholarship, students must work 1,000 hours in dining services and maintain a 'C' average. The 2020 scholarship class is the largest in the program's history, with 15 recipients attending various institutions and pursuing diverse fields of study.

Erickson Living has launched the Erickson University School of Culinary Arts to support employee development in its senior living communities. The program, which combines online learning through Rouxbe with practical kitchen experience, has seen its first graduate, Amanda Cunha, a line cook at Brooksby Village. The initiative, praised for its innovative approach and support from senior leadership, aims to enhance the skills and careers of dining services employees. Graduates receive a customized knife set as a token of achievement.

Resilience is critical for workplace well-being, especially in the post-pandemic era. Traditional stress management is insufficient; instead, strategies for building resilience are necessary to combat burnout. Resilience helps employees recover from difficulties, maintain productivity, and foster positive interactions. WELCOA emphasizes the importance of providing employees with tools, resources, and flexibility to build resilience. The organization has implemented changes based on employee feedback to improve resilience support. Resources like the Mental Health at the Workplace Toolkit and various COVID-19 toolkits are available to aid in this effort.

The article discusses the importance of growth opportunities in the workplace for employee engagement and career progression. It highlights the challenges faced by employees in a post-COVID world, emphasizing the need for organizations to invest in their employees' development. The article outlines steps to improve growth, such as listening to employees, challenging them, and providing necessary resources. It also describes how WELCOA implements growth strategies within their organization, including regular manager-employee meetings, professional development opportunities, and covering associated costs. WELCOA's resources to support growth, such as the COVID-19 employee education packet and a toolkit for returning to the physical workplace, are also mentioned.

Judd Allen emphasizes the importance of achievement in workplace wellness, noting that while many employees attempt healthy lifestyle changes, few succeed due to various barriers. He advocates for organizations to remove these barriers and foster a culture of achievement. WELCOA's approach includes not setting health targets for employees but providing the resources and environment to support their well-being. LinkedIn's strategy of encouraging employees to be their own health scientists is highlighted as a positive example. WELCOA also promotes calculated risk-taking and team recognition to achieve work-related goals.

WELCOA emphasizes the critical role of meaning and purpose in workplace wellness, citing evidence and expert opinions. The article discusses strategies for fostering a sense of purpose among employees, such as assessing core values and training leadership. It highlights Skanska's successful safety program restructuring around family values and WELCOA's own efforts to align employees with the organization's success. The article also promotes WELCOA's resources and courses designed to help incorporate purpose into wellness strategies.

The article emphasizes the importance of connection in the workplace, especially during volatile and uncertain times. It highlights the historical use of peer coaching by the U.S. Army and suggests various strategies to foster connection among employees, such as daily team video calls, peer coaching systems, and group-based resources. WELCOA's own practices and resources for promoting social connection are discussed, including their COVID-19 toolkits aimed at supporting healthy social connections and communication between employees and employers.

Barbara Wells moved to Eagle’s Trace, a retirement community in West Houston managed by Erickson Living, during the pandemic. Despite initial reservations, she found the community supportive and engaging. Eagle’s Trace implemented comprehensive safety measures and adapted services to ensure residents' well-being. The community benefits from Erickson Living's extensive network, providing essential supplies and medical care. The real estate market is favorable for sellers, and Eagle’s Trace offers resources to assist with the moving process. The community's response to the pandemic has been effective, ensuring residents remain connected and cared for.

A study using Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data from 2002 to 2016 found that while total annual health care expenditures in the US increased from $810 billion to $1617 billion, primary care spending declined as a proportion of all expenditures. Inpatient services, specialty care, and prescriptions accounted for about two-thirds of the increase in total health care expenditures. The study highlights the need for increased investment in primary care due to its beneficial effects on quality of care, access to care, and mortality.

As states plan to re-open post-COVID-19, businesses face challenges around employee safety and privacy. Validic, a company focused on digital wellness, collaborates with WELCOA in a webcast to discuss best practices for maintaining employee safety during the transition back to in-person operations. The webcast will cover ADA and EEOC guidelines, state and national re-opening guidance, and strategies for identifying COVID-19 cases among employees. Emphasizing the importance of safety, the discussion aims to share best practices and leverage technology to keep employees connected and healthy.

The article discusses the positive environmental changes observed during the COVID-19 pandemic due to reduced human activity. It highlights WELCOA's initiatives to promote sustainability, such as eliminating bottled water and implementing efficient dishwasher policies. The State of Tennessee's challenge to reduce food waste is also mentioned. The piece emphasizes the importance of continuing these sustainable practices post-pandemic to benefit both human and environmental health.

The article discusses the importance of addressing mental health in the workplace, inspired by the tragic murder of Carolyn Mattingly. The Luv u Project, founded by her family, aims to advance mental health understanding and treatment. A summit at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health gathered experts to discuss workplace mental health, resulting in recommendations for individual, organizational, and policy-level actions. Case studies from Prudential Financial and USAA illustrate successful mental health initiatives. The article emphasizes the need for healthy workplace cultures, early intervention, and comprehensive support systems to improve employee well-being and productivity.