How HealthFirst used their 20th Anniversary award to strengthen leadership at a critical time
Earlier this year, HealthFirst was named one of five nonprofit winners selected to receive complimentary leadership and team effectiveness training from Creter Group, part of its 20th Anniversary celebration. The timing couldn’t have been better.
HealthFirst, a community health center in Fall River, Massachusetts, had recently undergone a series of leadership transitions. CEO Lisa Jones had just stepped into her role. The Chief Medical Officer and CFO were also new. And while the senior team had been through formal coaching, the organization’s next level of leaders hadn’t had that same opportunity.
Recognizing a Growing Gap
In community health, stress is constant, and patient needs are complex. What often goes unaddressed is how that stress compounds internally, especially when leaders do not have the benefit of learning from those who came before them.
This was the reality at HealthFirst. As the organization evolved, many leaders had to navigate without guidance from those who held the roles before them. They also struggled with finding a shared language for how to lead others effectively.
Training That Reaches the Whole Organization
The Creter Group session focused on a cross-section of developing leaders—people from different departments, ages, and roles. Instead of isolating training by function, the approach centered on shared learning and communication.
To keep things equitable across HealthFirst’s multiple locations, Christine Creter facilitated the session virtually. This allowed all participants to engage in the same shared experience, regardless of location, reinforcing a sense of unity.
The centerpiece of the session was the Insights Discovery Personal Profile, provided by the Insights Foundation. Group members’ profiles revealed a mix of personality types, but one trend stood out: less of what Insights calls “fiery red” energy, which may keep people from setting or keeping to milestones, communicating directly, or setting goals and objectives for themselves.
Chris used this as a starting point for the participants. “When people saw their patterns, it didn’t feel critical, it felt clarifying,” she noted. “They saw where they might be missing chances to speak up or set clear expectations, and how that affects both colleagues and patients.”
Starting Where They Are
Too often, training in healthcare focuses solely on the clinical side, not on leadership or communication skills. This session made space for participants to examine their own habits and assumptions in a supportive environment. It brought attention to the participants’ interpersonal dynamics that affect day-to-day performance, especially under stress.
Since the session focused on practical reflection, participants left with takeaways they could apply right away. “The HealthFirst team was extremely receptive to the work we did in the workshop, identifying how their own communication styles play into internal communications and how it will be helpful to adjust for different people or teams within Health First and for patients,” said Chris.
“Discovery Insights arrived at exactly the right moment for HealthFirst. As a new leadership team navigating significant transition, the work with Creter Group gave us a shared language and a clear mirror for how we communicate, set expectations, and show up for one another. The Insights Discovery Personal Profiles helped our emerging leaders see their patterns without judgment, which made it easier to lean into more direct communication, clearer milestones, and stronger accountability. We’re already seeing the impact in how we run meetings, support our teams, and ultimately care for our patients,” noted CEO Lisa Jones.