PBN Healthiest Employers of Rhode Island 2025 Awards
5,000+ EMPLOYEES #5. Brown University Health
CEO (or equivalent): John Fernandez, CEO and president
Number of employees: 16,191
IN HEALTH CARE, stress is a given. But Brown University Health is proving that innovation can be an antidote. This year, Rhode Island’s largest health care organization permanently adopted the Bree Health Relaxation Pod, a high-tech sanctuary located at the organization’s fitness center and open 24/7.
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“The Relaxation Pod meets an essential need in our critical patient-facing environment – it’s wellness that works,” said Bill Schmiedeknecht, Brown University Health’s senior vice president and chief human resources officer.
The pod combines light therapy, guided meditation and immersive audio to help employees decompress, recharge and refocus. It’s one part of the organization’s well-being strategy. For instance, the organization supports employees’ physical, social, financial and emotional health through its Living Well program. It offers everything from mapped walking routes and wellness challenges to personalized financial coaching and more.
Together with recognition efforts such as Cheers for Peers and Employee Appreciation Week, these programs reflect that every team member and their health matters at Brown Health.
A Healthy Thought:
‘The Relaxation Pod meets an essential need in our critical patient-facing environment – it’s wellness that works.’
BILL SCHMIEDEKNECHT, Brown University Health senior vice president and chief human resources officer
