2025 HIP Reclaiming Joy in Healthcare

2025 HIP Health Workforce Retreat

Strategies to Overcome Burnout and Reignite Purpose in Caring Professions Retreat

Health Improvement Partnership of Santa Cruz County, in partnership with Cabrillo College nursing program, hosted its first health workforce retreat on October 3rd, 2025. The retreat, Reclaiming Joy in Healthcare: Strategies to Overcome Burnout and Reignite Purpose in Caring Professions, was held at the Cabrillo College Horticulture Building and featured two speaker sessions, catered lunch, and a qigong session.

The retreat was modeled after the 1440 Multiversity Healing Our Healthcare Heroes initiative and designed to address the burnout that local healthcare workers experience daily. Over 60 attendees were invited to participate for free due to the generous support of the following sponsors: Cabrillo College, Central California Alliance for Health, Hospice of Santa Cruz County, Janus of Santa Cruz, Kaiser Permanente, Santa Cruz Community Health, Salud Para La Gente, and Workforce Santa Cruz County HIP.

Mindfulness educatorJoseph Clements

The retreat began with Joseph Clements, a local mindfulness facilitator, educator, and creator of the Sit. Feel. Heal. framework, session: How To Be With and Overcome Burnout – Reigniting Passion in Caring Professions. His trauma-informed approach integrates mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and practical resiliency tools to support individuals, organizations, and recovery communities. With over 15 years of experience in the field, Joe is known for making mindfulness relatable, compassionate, and accessible for all walks of life.

Chief Wellness Officer & Professor of Family Medicine at California Northstate University
John Chuck, M.D.

The keynote session, “Restoring Hope for Living Well,” featured John Chuck, M.D., the Chief Wellness Officer and Professor of Family Medicine at California Northstate University, as well as a faculty member at 1440 Multiversity. Before that, Dr. Chuck enjoyed a thirty-one-year career with the Permanente Medical Group (TPMG), where he held numerous leadership positions, including Chief of Health Promotion & Information Technology Innovation, Chief of Physician Health & Wellness, and Regional Chairperson of the Physician Health & Wellness Leaders Group.

Attendees received WeCare mini boxes that included supportive holistic products and expert-led medical education (1 AMA/MMA CME credit available per box) to support wellbeing, flower arrangements, and fresh lettuce from the Cabrillo College horticulture program.

The day ended with a catered lunch, provided by Cabrillo College’s culinary arts program, and an outdoor qigong session with MaryTheresa Caprile, a student of Lee Holden, who earned her first certification as a qigong teacher in 2015. Over the past 10 years, MaryTheresa has offered online qigong sessions, taught classes for the county of Santa Clara through Morning Crane in San Jose, and is currently a qigong instructor at 1440 Multiversity.

The retreat has received positive feedback; over half of the attendees completed a post-retreat survey, indicating that 74% of participants felt extreme to moderate work-related burnout daily before attending the retreat. After attending the retreat, 96% of participants felt extreme to moderate hope to inhibit work-related burnout.

“This retreat was an amazing opportunity to show up for myself and slow down. The presenters were engaging and brought light and levity to a topic that can feel heavy. It was well-delivered material that brought me to a place of calm and left me with hope for the future. The setting, table decor, gifts, and lunch were all so well done and made me feel special. As someone who is always doing for others, what an incredible treat to remember that if I don't care for myself, I can't care for others. Thank you for a wonderful event!”

The retreat has received positive feedback; over half of the attendees completed a post-retreat survey, indicating that 74% of participants felt extreme to moderate work-related burnout daily before attending the retreat. After attending the retreat, 96% of participants felt extreme to moderate hope to inhibit work-related burnout.

“We really wanted to preserve the intention and feel of 1440 Multiversity’s Healing our Healthcare Heroes three-day retreat, while offering a more affordable and accessible half-day retreat to local healthcare workers. I’m thrilled our first mini retreat was a success, and through continued partnership with Cabrillo College, we hope to offer another retreat in 2026.”

“I have to say, the retreat truly surprised me in the best way possible! The speakers and activities were inspiring, the environment was peaceful and nurturing, and the food was incredible. Everyone—from the attendees to the organizers and even the kitchen staff—contributed to a space that made me seriously reflect on the importance of not giving up. What I took away: The retreat was, without a doubt, a dose of energy and love. It helped me feel more connected—to myself and to a supportive community. I'm deeply grateful for the experience.”