Welcome back to Part 2 of our Emotional Onboarding Series on The Healthcare Plus Podcast with your host Dan Collard. Today, Dan is joined by Patti Frank, Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Operating Officer of CCM Health, a community hospital in Montevideo, Minnesota.

Patti discusses her journey since joining CCM Health in 2018, highlighting the challenges they faced with high turnover, a reliance on travel nurses, and instability in senior leadership, which prompted a new focus on staff engagement and leadership development. Under Patti’s leadership, CCM Health first debuted on Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work list at #66 and this year, they reached #9.

Patti and Dan discuss the intentional efforts CCM has made in Emotional Onboarding that have increased first-year retention by 15% and have contributed to their award-winning culture. A key initiative is helping new employees understand the phases of change and recognize that anxiety and doubt are normal with a new position or new organization. By creating this open dialogue, CCM has been able to provide resources and solutions to help team members navigate that anxiety and move more quickly towards feeling a sense of belonging in the organization.

Patti also serves as an advisor at Healthcare Plus Solutions Group. Through this lens, she offers practical and doable tips for leaders to improve their onboarding processes and drive improved retention and engagement.

Tune in next time for another episode of the Emotional Onboarding series that will dive into the post-acute care industry or listen back for more ideas from Katherine Meese today.

About Patti Frank
Patricia Frank, RN, MSN, FACHE is a distinguished healthcare executive and Advisor with Healthcare Plus Solutions Group, celebrated for her contributions to rural healthcare and her expertise in operational management, strategic planning, and patient care optimization. Recognized in 2020 among Becker’s Hospital Review’s “50+ Hospital and Health Systems CNOs to Know,” Patricia has a longstanding commitment to transforming healthcare in rural communities, where she has consistently improved patient outcomes, enhanced staff engagement, and elevated service delivery.

Patricia’s background includes extensive experience in clinical oversight, conflict resolution, and process improvement within rural settings, where she has reshaped organizational culture and built high-performing teams. Known for her integrity and strategic vision, Patricia has been honored with multiple “Best Place to Work” awards from different organizations by Modern Healthcare magazine, reflecting her dedication to making quality healthcare accessible in underserved regions. As an advisor, she now partners with healthcare organizations across the country to develop leadership capacity and optimize performance, all with a deep commitment to strengthening rural healthcare.