Upstate Medical University is launching a new employee engagement platform to improve communications and employee connections. OneUp goes live April 16 and represents a significant shift in how information will be shared throughout Upstate. Chief Human Resources Officer Jeff Stevens, who joined Upstate with a vision to improve employee engagement and system integration, has been a driving force behind the initiative. 

“It’s almost always the case that when something goes wrong, the root cause is a failure to communicate,” said Stevens, underscoring the importance of an engagement system in any organization. 

With this in mind, Stevens and a newly formed team set out to build OneUp. At launch, the platform will feature 10 topic communities of importance, among them Benefits, Learning, Wellness, Culture and Upstate in the News, Leadership, Nursing and Upstate Well, where users can interact through a newsfeed found on the homepage. These communities serve as spaces where users can share updates, promote events and connect with colleagues.

Two core principles guided OneUp’s development: an emphasis on visuals and a commitment to accessibility. Early testers have highlighted the system’s visuals as a key strength ahead of its rollout. 

“In today’s digital landscape, everything, from workplace culture to employee benefits, must be communicated in a visually engaging way,” Stevens said. “Organizations are realizing that traditional communication methods to engage the workforce can be improved, and we aim to be at the forefront of this transformation.” 

While visual appeal has been central to the platform’s design, OneUp was also built with functionality in mind, particularly for hospital staff and frontline employees. 

“The new platform allows us to stay connected, share critical information in real-time, and efficiently distribute updates and resources across departments,” said Chief Nursing Officer Scott Jessie. “It’s user-friendly and tailored to meet the specific needs of our nursing staff.” 

With its launch, officials say, Upstate will strengthen connections, increase engagement and support its dedicated workforce.