Cleveland Clinic's 'Power of Purpose' Inspires Caregivers

Healthcare organization's cultural movement aims to reconnect staff with the meaning behind their work

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Cleveland Clinic has launched a new initiative called 'The Power of Purpose' to foster a deeper sense of meaning and connection among its caregivers. The movement, which began in 2025, is a strategic response to industry challenges like burnout and workforce shortages, aiming to remind caregivers of the intrinsic rewards of their profession. The process involved extensive listening to understand caregiver motivations, with support from executive leadership including Chief Caregiver Officer Kelly Hancock.

Why it matters

The focus on caregiver purpose is more than just a feel-good initiative - it's a critical response to the healthcare industry's ongoing crisis. After years marked by the pandemic, workforce shortages, and constant change, organizations are seeking ways to reconnect their staff with the meaningfulness of their work and combat issues like burnout.

The details

Cleveland Clinic's 'The Power of Purpose' initiative evolved from the organization's 2013 'empathy video,' which sparked a realization that the caregiver experience is equally vital to patient well-being. The program involves a new video series featuring candid conversations between Hancock and caregivers, sharing their diverse paths to healthcare. This storytelling approach is being integrated into meetings, retreats, and internal communications to foster a culture of shared values.

  • The 'empathy video' was released in 2013.
  • The 'The Power of Purpose' initiative was launched in 2025.

The players

Kelly Hancock

DNP, RN, NE-BC, FAAN, Executive Vice President, Chief Caregiver Officer and Chief Administrative Officer at Cleveland Clinic.

Tim Wolbert

RN who transitioned to nursing after a career change, featured in the 'The Power of Purpose' video series.

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What they’re saying

“We must bring the industry back to center and remind people of the meaningfulness of their work.”

— Kelly Hancock, Executive Vice President, Chief Caregiver Officer and Chief Administrative Officer (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

Cleveland Clinic plans to continue integrating the 'The Power of Purpose' messaging into ongoing communications, training, and events to further strengthen the culture of purpose-driven healthcare.

The takeaway

Cleveland Clinic's 'The Power of Purpose' initiative offers valuable lessons for other healthcare organizations seeking to reconnect their workforce with the intrinsic rewards of caregiving and combat industry challenges like burnout and staffing shortages through a focus on purpose and meaning.