Training is more than just an educational tool at HHS—it’s an investment in helping our team members grow and thrive. That’s one of the reasons why we’re excited to share the story behind our new training videos for our Culinary and Nutrition Services (CNS) teams. These videos were developed through interdepartmental collaboration to provide engaging and practical tools that support our team members in delivering excellent care, staying safe, and improving efficiency.
Bringing the Vision to Life
The CNS training videos address an important opportunity to enhance culinary training. Erin Hooker, Instructional Designer, explained, “Education is sometimes overlooked, but it’s critical in healthcare, where safety is a top priority. It’s a great investment for everyone involved.” She also emphasized the importance of making the training more engaging: “Our previous courses were focused mostly on policy, and we recognized the need to add more engaging, interactive elements. We overhauled these courses to make them more accessible and impactful for our frontline team members.”
To achieve this, the videos were designed to be concise and engaging. “We’ve designed them in short, bite-sized chunks, making it easier for team members to absorb the material without feeling overwhelmed,” Erin shared. This approach is particularly effective as it allows team members to learn at their own pace, reducing stress while helping them retain and apply what they’ve learned.
Collaboration: The Secret Ingredient
Developing these videos was no small task. Brand and Creative Director Will Hawkins shared insights into his part of the process: “Bringing subject matter experts together with creative professionals was key. It wasn’t just about making something visually appealing but also making sure the content aligns with policy and delivers real value.”
This teamwork allowed the creative and compliance teams to combine creativity with rigor, resulting in videos that are both engaging and informative. “It’s about creativity within boundaries—sticking to policy, the script, and brand guidelines, but also finding ways to elevate the videos and make them engaging,” Will explained.
The visuals were carefully crafted to highlight key points, making sure the content adhered to HHS' high standards while also enhancing learning. Visual learning is especially effective in CNS, as it brings complex techniques and procedures to life, making them easier to understand and remember. From cooking techniques to safety protocols, every element was thoughtfully designed to serve as a valuable resource for our team members.
Overcoming Challenges
Creating these videos wasn’t without its challenges. Our teams face the added complexity of balancing standard culinary training with the fast-paced demands of hospital operations. Coordinating filming schedules without disrupting the hard work of our culinary and nutrition staff took careful planning. “When you’re in a hospital kitchen, it’s a highly efficient space. We had to work around them without interrupting operations, and the lighting conditions were far from ideal,” Will shared.
“It was a delicate dance,” Will continued. “We had to make sure we weren’t disrupting daily operations while capturing the true work of our teams.” Despite these hurdles, the project progressed with creativity and determination. The result? A polished, professional series of training videos that truly reflect HHS' commitment to excellence.
Impact and What’s Next
As these videos are rolled out to CNS teams, we’re focusing on their impact. Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with team members appreciating the clear, concise, and easy-to-understand format. “These videos help team members feel that they’re doing something important... They’re helping people, and it makes them buy into the training,” Erin explained. Check out the highlight reel below to see the creative approach in action!
“It’s not just about watching a video; it’s about improving how we follow procedures and enhancing the patient experience,” Erin added. Plans are already underway to expand the videos' reach and gather further feedback from team members. This input will be crucial in refining future training initiatives to ensure they continue to meet the evolving needs of our teams.
Why It Matters
Training is more than just a checklist item—it’s an investment in the people who drive our success. These videos exemplify HHS' commitment to innovation, teamwork, and continuous improvement. By offering engaging and user-friendly resources, we help our team members grow, which directly improves the patient experience and strengthens our operations.
Looking ahead, we’re excited about the possibilities these videos hold and the positive impact they’ll have on both our CNS teams and the patients they serve!