Hi everyone. My name is Stephanie Collins, and I am the chief executive officer (CEO), for Austin Retina Associates in Texas. Thank you for joining me today. Today, I want to talk about how we welcome and onboard new employees into our organization. 

At Austin Retina Associates, we believe onboarding should be a true introduction to both the work we do and the people who make that possible. That's why we dedicate a full week to the onboarding process. New employees meet with all of our department heads who take time to explain what their teams do, who they are, and the unique highlights of their departments. This way, each new employee gets a big picture understanding of our organization and the important role every department plays. They also spend time observing within their own department so they can see first-hand how their peers work and contribute. And we don't stop there—they also observe our physicians clinics to gain perspective on the clinical side of our work.

One of the best things we can give a new employee is context—not just about their role but about the entire patient journey. That's why during onboarding we take them through what it's like to be a patient at Austin Retina Associates. This helps them see the experience through the patient's eyes from start to finish. So calling in, making an appointment, preregistering through our online portal, checking in, getting worked up, having some specialized testing, and even seeing the physician—this helps them understand what the patient's journey will be like and helps them when they come and join our organization.

Another key element is connection. New employees meet directly with me as the CEO and our managing partner. We share our story, who we are as an organization, and a bit about us personally. This helps create a culture where new employees feel welcomed, valued, and part of a bigger mission from day one.

Onboarding isn't just about training it's about building relationships, understanding our mission, and seeing the impact we have on patients’ lives. By the end of the first week, new employees not only know about their role but they also feel connected to the people, the purpose, and the vision of Austin Retina Associates. Thank you for joining me today. OP

Transcript edited for clarity. 

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