Applause for Misha Granado: A Leader in Employee Wellness
A round of applause to Misha N. Granado, MPH, MS, Senior Program Manager in the Department of Emergency Medicine, for her recent recognition in the November issue of UTHealth Houston’s Employee Well-being Newsletter!
Misha received the Wellness Initiative of Merit Award, honoring her outstanding contributions to promoting well-being and leadership within our team. Her commitment to team-building, personal development, and fostering a positive workplace truly exemplifies the spirit of UTHealth Houston.
Dimension(s) of well-being – Physical, Emotional, Occupational, Intellectual, Social, and Environmental
Initiative(s)
I have an open door policy in which my staff is always welcomed, however, the following are implemented with my team: (1) Quarterly 1:1 check-in that focuses on self-reflection of strengths/growing areas, job satisfaction, professional goals & timelines, and their feedback on my leadership style (strengths & growing areas). I have a ‘bespoke’ approach with my team and know that everyone learns and thrives differently, (2) Monthly team building activities: Each month a team member selects an activity that we engage in off-campus for comradery and team building. One activity was Escape Room which highlighted our ability to work as a team, critical thinking, the way we support each other, etc., (3) Celebrations – We celebrate various wins/accomplishments as a team, and (4) Inclusion – each member of my staff is a leader in some capacity, and I encourage them to lean into their leadership. We can all lead from where we are, and leadership is not associated with title/position alone. I create a space for each of them to lead.
How does employee well-being impact your team?
There is a saying to leave ‘X’ at the door when you enter ‘Y’. As humans, all of our bodies (mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical) are integrated, therefore, if we experience something in one domain, it impacts the others. Organizations are simply a group of individuals and it is through creating a culture that is inclusive, equitable, empowering, and respectful that individuals feel seen, heard, safe to use their voice, and valued. It is this place, where wellness is prioritized, that serves as a catalyst to transform a group of individuals into a dynamic team that contributes to the organization in a meaningful way.
Great job, Misha! Your dedication and leadership makes a remarkable difference in our department.