CHARLOTTE, N.C – Novant Health is prioritizing care for the thousands of teachers and staff who inspire, educate, and engage Charlotte-Mecklenburg School (CMS) students through a robust two-year initiative. The “Thrive Together” program will support well-being, resiliency resources, and clinical care to the school system’s 18,000 team members. The partnership is designed to strengthen employee engagement, prevent burnout, and expand access to convenient healthcare services for educators across the district.
“Teachers and school leaders play a vital and foundational role in the success of our children and our community,” said Dr. Sid Fletcher, senior vice president and president of Novant Health’s greater Charlotte region. “By investing in their health and well-being, Novant Health is proud to stand alongside CMS in ensuring that those who dedicate themselves to educating our next generation feel supported, cared for, and equipped to thrive.”
According to studies led by the National Education Association (NEA) on the state of educators post-Covid, burnout is a chief concern. In its survey, 67% of educators say that burnout is a “very serious” problem. Novant Health is working hand-in-hand with CMS to tackle the issue head-on.
The innovative and customized commitment is the result of conversations with CMS leadership to identify opportunities where Novant Health could reinforce existing employee wellness efforts and create new, tailored programs that prioritize resilience and whole-person health. The Thrive Together program has already seen successful early results, engaging in nearly 2000 wellness encounters through its dedicated care services.
Key components of the partnership include:
- Resiliency & Well-Being Training: Customized workshops for CMS leaders, teachers, and staff focused on burnout prevention and strengthening overall well-being.
- Concierge Care Coordination: A dedicated scheduling line and digital platform to simplify access to primary and specialty care, with options for same-day or next-day appointments.
- Expanded Primary Care & Wellness Access: Opportunities to establish care with Novant Health primary care providers, onsite wellness visits, and mobile health services, including mammography and flu vaccines.
- Executive Health Services: Comprehensive physicals for CMS leaders tailored to individual health needs.
- Dedicated Well-Being Coordinator: An onsite Novant Health coordinator supporting CMS wellness ambassadors, programming, health fairs, and communications.
“Every day, all year long, our educators and staff pour their hearts into inspiring endless possibilities for our students,” said Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill. “This partnership with Novant Health stands as a powerful testament to our shared belief that caring for those who care for others matters deeply by supporting their physical health and nurturing their mental and emotional well-being. When we invest in them, we invest in the success of every student and family we serve.”
Thrive Together joins Novant Health’s remarkable and robust community engagement and wellness programs. For more information about bringing Novant Health’s service offerings to your organization, visit www.novanthealth.org/employersolutions.
Teachers and CMS staff who would like to learn more about the Thrive Together program, including how to establish care and appointments should visit https://www.cmsk12.org/staff-and-community-engagement/strategic-partnerships/thrive-together
About Novant Health
Novant Health is an integrated network of nearly 900 locations, including 19 hospitals, more than 750 physician clinics and urgent care centers, outpatient facilities, and imaging and pharmacy services. This network supports a seamless and personalized healthcare experience for communities in North Carolina and South Carolina. Novant Health is nationally recognized for our unwavering commitment to safety and the highest quality care, and we serve as a catalyst for healthcare transformation through clinical trials, leading-edge research, innovative care delivery models and robust virtual care networks. The expertise and empathy of our more than 41,000 team members along with more than 8,600 independent and employed clinicians are at the heart of Our Cause as industry leaders caring for communities across the Carolinas. In 2024, Novant Health provided more than $1.6 billion in community benefit, including financial assistance and services.
For more information, visit NovantHealth.org. Follow Novant Health on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.
About Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is the 16th largest school district in the nation and the second largest in North Carolina. The district provides academic instruction and support to more than 140,000 students across Mecklenburg County. Serving students from 175 countries who speak 148 languages, as well as students with learning and physical disabilities, we offer an extensive number of options available to prepare students for college and career readiness, including 104 magnet programs in 71 schools and 21 career and technical education programs.
Our vision is to create an innovative, inclusive, student-centered environment that supports the development of independent learners. With a focus on ensuring all students reach their full potential, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools leads the community in educational excellence, inspiring intellectual curiosity, creativity and achievement. Endless Possibilities start at CMS.
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