Simply The Best! Teammate Appreciation Week

Friday, Sept. 5

Have Fun!

The Best – Tina Turner

The items listed here are suggested activities for local leaders to help plan the best Teammate Appreciation Week for their areas. For more ideas, check out the leader guide.   

Get the party started!  

• Host a Team Spirit Decoration Contest. 
• Surprise and delight teammates with thoughtful notes, candy or words of gratitude for job well done! 
• Photo Moments – Set up a backdrop for teammates to take fun photos with leaders and their fellow teammates. 

Host fun games with your team using Microsoft Whiteboard: 

• Triva! General knowledge, historical facts about Advocate Health, our Purpose & Commitments and more. 
• Guess the Workspace – Participants upload photos of their workspaces, and others guess whose space it is. This can be done anonymously for added fun. 
• Digital Doodle Contest – prompt  teammates with fun questions like “Draw your dream vacation” or “Sketch your favorite animal.” Everyone draws directly on the Whiteboard, then shares their creation. 

Recognize a Teammate Using Our Recognition Platforms 

• Send a new Simply the Best! Teammate Appreciation eCard (NC/GA) or Kudos (IL/WI). 
• Share a post on your respective Viva Engage or via a Teams Chat to shout out a teammate who is “Simply the Best.” 
• Leaders can send teammates a You’ve Been Spotted! digital card to recognize them for living out our Commitments via our recognition platforms (NC/GA | IL/WI). 

• Gratitude Grams on the Go Station/Roaming Cart. 
• Set up a Gratitude Tree – Teammates add leaves with messages of thanks or recognition. 
• Print out Simply the Best stickers and place them on candy, snacks or water bottles to distribute. 

• Share a picture of your pet, friend or family member and why they mean so much to you via Teams Chat, team huddle or even in an email. 
• Ask Copilot to create a fun background of appreciation or lifting up others that you can display in your Teams Chat or Meeting.  
  
   

• Take 10 minutes to stretch or take a yoga class. 
• Make use of our well-being resources. 
• Send your fellow teammates a
  Just Because eCard (NC/GA) or a Kudos to Brighten Your Day (IL/WI) 

• Plan to “Pause for Paws” and get a boost from cuddling one of our furry pet therapy friends (schedules coming soon!) 
• Local leaders serve “Sundaes on Sunday” 
• Arrange for local food trucks to provide a special culinary experience for team members. 

• Listen to an episode of the LiveWell Podcast. 
• Virtual 10-minute mediation workshop. 
• Prioritize your self-care by signing up for an upcoming class through Integrative Medicine. 
• Explore one of Advocate Health’s many resources designed to encourage, support and assist teammates. Visit the Well-being Programs and Resources SharePoint. 

• Continue the Teammate Appreciation Week fun by
  
  downloading the Teams background for your meetings. 
• Mosaic Monday (coming soon!) 
• Send a Cube Critters eCard (NC/GA) or a Brighten Your Day Kudos (IL/WI) 

Local Hydration Station 

• Facility or department leaders host a “Coffee Cart” or lemonade station – brewed or iced coffee with fun syrups and creamers 

Virtual “Coffee & Chat” Connect:  

• Randomly pair teammates up for short, casual video calls to connect. 

Explore Advocate Health’s many resources designed to encourage, support and assist teammates. 

• Moodfit App (NC/GA)
  (IL/WI) 
• Culture & Engagement SharePoint 

Recognition in Action 

• Make someone’s day with a printable sign “Simply the best___!” – fill in a teammate’s name and what they are simply the best at: ____, you’re simply the best (teammate, nurse, leader, etc.). Then, give it to a fellow teammate and tell them why they are simply the best. Don’t forget to snap a photo and post it on social media or Viva Engage. #SimplyTheBest #AdvocateHealth. 
• Show your appreciation for our artistic teammates! View their submissions in the 2025 Teammate Art Show and vote for your favorite works (coming soon!) 
• Leaders - Hand out printed You’ve Been Spotted! cards.

Recognition in Motion 

• Host recognition walls in your cafeteria. 
• Send physical thank-you notes, secret appreciation gifts and more! 
• During your in-person huddles, ask teammates to share one thing they appreciate about each person on the team. 

Recognition in Reflection 

• Identify a historical person who helped others shine and their importance to you. Share with your team virtually or on social media. 
• Let your inner artist shine with this simply the best coloring activity! ( Single Coloring Page and Large Group of Coloring Pages) 
• Join our Gratitude in Action community to help cultivate a “Gratitude Attitude” within our work environment. 
• Journal one positive aspect each day with this
  Gratitude Tracker. 

• Well-being activities (coming soon) 
• Lunch & Learn Workshop (coming soon) 
• Send a fellow teammate an Inspiration eCard (NC/GA) or a
  Thank You Kudos (IL/WI) 

• Take your team for a walk to a healing garden. 
• Make time to share appreciation for someone who has invested in your career – send them a physical card, eCard/Kudos or email. 
• Win Cards: Create colorful cards or "sticky notes" where teammates can write down their wins—big or small—and pin them to the wall. Categories can include: Teamwork, Innovation, Patient/Customer Impact, Personal Growth, etc. 
• Leader visibility in high-traffic areas and teammate entrances. Boost morale with cheers, applause, upbeat music and signs such as “We Appreciate You!”, “You’re Amazing!” or “Thanks for All You Do!” 

• Take time for self-care and uplift your spirits through the Integrative Medicine-recommended video, Say Thank You. This short, inspiring video reminds us of the power of gratitude and how a simple “thank you” can positively impact our well-being and those around us. 
• Make space for a moment of reflection - you deserve it. Say thank you 
• Explore one of Advocate Health’s many resources designed to encourage, support and assist teammates. 
• Learn more about the tools and techniques used in narrative medicine, and how incorporating these into our interactions supports teammate and patient wellbeing.  
• Try one of these healthy recipes from the Well-being Team 
  • Banana, Kiwi and Almond Yogurt Parfait  
  • Cherry Vanilla Overnight Oats 
  • Egg Bake/Egg Muffins 
  • 2 Ingredient Strawberry Sorbet 
  • Stress Relief Salad  

• Host group game stations: Group Bingo, Cornhole Contest, Jenga, etc. 
• Provide an Arts & Crafts Station with paper, crayons, color pencils, etc. for teammates to make appreciation cards for their fellow teammates.  
• Print out our simply the best coloring activity: ( Single Coloring Page and Large Group of Coloring Pages). Show off teammate creations in your breakrooms.  

• Host a Virtual Costume or Theme Day such as “tropical vibes,” “80s” or “fun glasses” with your teams. 
• Sign up to learn more about Creative Corner, which is a forum to create opportunities for Advocate Health teammates to showcase their talents and encourage them to bring their full selves to work! 
• Explore one of Advocate Health’s many resources designed to encourage, support and assist teammates. Visit the
  Workforce Development SharePoint. 

• Show your spirit and rock your swag — wear your Advocate Health or care-delivery brand swag. 
• Our teammates are simply the best! Send a Commitment Badge (NC/GA) or Kudos (IL/WI) to a fellow teammate who is living out our Commitments. 

High Five Friday! 

• Ice cream socials where leaders serve sweet treats. 
• Grab & Go snacks at teammate entry points. 
• Leaders are encouraged to high five teammates for doing an outstanding job! 

• Virtually high-five a teammate to show appreciation for their hard work! 
• Explore one of Advocate Health’s many resources designed to encourage, support and assist teammates. Visit Workday and update your career interests and individual goals, along with other helpful information.