Blog Contribution by NIHD President Kristina Krail, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, PMP, EDAC
NIHD has a variety of “partnerships” including Industry Partners, Academic Partners, and other Professional Partners. Our Academic Partners provide us a direct connection to education and research in those school and university programs where design and nursing intersect. Our Professional Partner relationships give us an opportunity to collaborate with trade groups and other 501c6 organizations on shared goals and, to coordinate overlapping initiatives and activities. Our Industry Partners, including a variety of for-profit manufacturers, vendors, and A/E/C firms that value what the clinical voice can bring to their business, pay a reasonable fee of varyingly levels to be a partner. Almost all professional organizations have the same arrangement; needing to rely on that financial support to balance its budget and meet the needs of the membership. It is the same for NIHD, except that we go way beyond the common quid pro quo of “write us a check and we’ll put your logo on our website.”
NIHD feels strongly that all our partnerships, particularly our Industry Partner Program, genuinely represents, in measurable and tangible ways, a mutually beneficial relationship. NIHD clearly benefits from the associated financial contract. On the other side of the equation, our Industry Partners benefit from valuable insight, credibility, and access to an exclusive network which we provide through marketing opportunities, member surveys, meetings, podcasts, or other joint activities.
A six-person NIHD member delegation from all levels and areas of expertise representing our membership were hosted at the Shaw headquarters in Carterville, GA June 4-6, 2024.
Here’s an example of that commitment put into action:
Recently, a new Industry Partner, Patcraft® / ShawContract®, invited NIHD to learn more about their products, meet their leadership team, and explore ways to share with one another and work together. A six-person NIHD member delegation from all levels and areas of expertise representing our membership were hosted at their headquarters in Carterville, GA. We shared our insights during the filming of a wide-ranging and lively interactive roundtable about nursing, healthcare, design, and the environment. We learned about their products at their Create Centre. We toured two manufacturing plants as well as their testing labs. We also had time to do some sighting in their home town, enjoy the local cuisine and hospitality, and just get to know each other better.
“Partnerships across industries and disciplines can lead to a robust understanding of the ‘how and why’ behind how products are made and utilized in design and innovation in the healthcare space. I learned the importance of sustainability and understanding of utilization of recycled materials. For instance, Shaw integrates materials such as Recycled Sprite Bottles to create elements of flooring that are eco-friendly.”
Rachel Nickel, RN, MBA, BSN, CCRN, Senior Director, Patient Care Services @ UMCNO
The experience prompted me to reflect on what a partnership really means, and got me thinking as to how a professional partnership, like what we are creating with Shaw, is similar to a personal partnership, like a marriage.
Our in person and extended time together gave us an opportunity to each express our needs and wants as it pertains to the relationship. It provided us a chance to show mutual appreciation. We were able to have fun together. And it was a chance to explore what a future together may be like. We can do no better than striving for all our partnerships to feel like a successful marriage!
