Recognizing Those Who Do the Extraordinary

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THE PLAN: Reimagine employee recognition at Cincinnati Children’s so it reaches more people, feels more meaningful, and is aligned beautifully with the newly launched employer brand. The plan was to transform a handful of disconnected efforts into one unified, values-driven appreciation system, something that celebrated everyday moments of care and made gratitude part of the culture, not just the calendar.

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THE GOAL: Expand recognition without expanding the budget. Cincinnati Children’s needed a program that resonated equally with office teams, hospital staff, and frontline caregivers across all the channels they were already using: intranet, email, video, and back-of-house communications. The goal was simple and human: make more employees feel genuinely seen by their leaders and their peers.

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​“Thank you, Children’s, for acknowledging us. You’re amazing. We love working here; the culture, the environment, and the people make the difference.”

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THE PLAYBOOK: We partnered with Cincinnati Children’s to build a joyful, high-touch recognition program that elevated existing milestones like Employee Appreciation Week, Nurses Week, and Doctors Week — and transformed them into moments people actually looked forward to. Inspired by the wonder and heart of the patients they serve, we introduced a playful, heartfelt tone that brought the employer brand to life in new ways.

The program unfolded through new storytelling content, photo-driven engagement, heartfelt e-cards, handwritten notes, leadership drop-ins, and a renewed nomination platform for monthly, quarterly, and annual awards. Swag, celebrations, and small but meaningful touchpoints helped turn everyday appreciation into something visible, personal, and worth sharing. The result was a consistent, joyful experience that made gratitude feel real.

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THE RESULTS: Participation in recognition efforts increased fivefold. Event attendance rose 120 percent. Employee-driven social posts jumped 150 percent. Most importantly, the refreshed Employee Appreciation Program, paired with the employer brand, became a cultural cornerstone. It fueled pride, supported retention, and helped build a workplace where employees felt valued not only for what they do, but for who they are.

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