Meet our QC Team
Hi there, my name is Derrick Alger, I am a family medicine physician practicing as a hospitalist in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
My wife, Kylie, and I are parents of four young kiddos under the age of seven. Life gets busy, and although I'm not a big fan of meetings, I have found that taking time to connect with my colleagues has been a crucial component contributing to my overall health and well-being.
The idea came to surface
Quick Connect Huddles was born during the COVID-19 pandemic, out of necessity. Many physicians during the pandemic, including myself, were struggling with burnout. I was asked to give a talk to help with resiliency. Given the high census, and crunched for time, the first idea to "quickly connect" was born. After discussing the mission with my wife to deliver something meaningful and time-conscious, the very first huddle took place when I read an article my wife and her mom wrote about "Surge Capacity."
We then created a worksheet with reflection questions to go along with the article and realized that the Read, Reflect, Connect format worked really well. Our group was talking and connecting more than we had in a while. My team asked me to present another article topic for the following month, and then that's when I thought, “Hey! If we can do this for our hospital, we could do this for every hospital!”
Meet Mary Beth!
Mary Beth and her daughter Kylie have teamed up for over a decade, sharing their health and wellness expertise through their column "Commit to be Fit." Since 2010, their insightful articles have been a staple in their local newspaper, inspiring readers to prioritize their well-being and to take steps to live healthier lives.
Mary Beth brings a wealth of experience from diverse training programs. She holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado. Continuing her academic journey, Mary Beth pursued a Masters degree in Ministry from Creighton University in Omaha, NE. Her thesis, "Implementing a Wellness Program on a Christian College Campus," reflects her passion for promoting holistic well-being in educational settings.
With her holistic approach to health and well-being, Mary Beth has a deep and broad appreciation of how one's spiritual and emotional health, can be the integrator or foundation to one's overall well-being. We often say "She sprinkles in the soul" to Quick Connect Huddles.
Mary Beth is both a content creator and Editor-in-Chief for QC huddles.
"She sprinkles in the soul" to Quick Connect Huddles.
Mary Beth Helgens, MMIN, NBC-HWC
Wellcoaches® Certified Health and Well-being Coach
Hi, Kylie!
Driven by her desire to support physicians and their families, Kylie co-founded Quick Connect Huddles with her husband, Derrick. She sees firsthand how vital connection is for doctors, who often face immense pressures and emotional challenges. Recognizing that only fellow physicians truly understand these experiences, Kylie is passionate about creating a platform where doctors can connect, support each other, and share their burdens. Her hope is that QC Huddles not only benefits the doctors but also brings peace of mind to their families, knowing their loved ones are being supported by their peers.
Kylie and her family have been passionate about fostering connection, as evidenced by their free card delivery service to seniors living in senior living communities called HappyGram. which has helped families send over 100,000 "HappyGrams" to their loved ones. Kylie has spearheaded school initiatives, encouraging students to send cards to the elderly for special occasions like Veterans Day, Valentine's Day, and Christmas, reaching seniors across the United States and even in Scotland.
Kylie and her family believe that building meaningful relationships is at the heart of a fulfilling life
Kylie and her family believe that building meaningful relationships is at the heart of a fulfilling life
Stronger together.
At Quick Connect Huddles, we believe that healthcare is a team effort. That's why we've created QC Huddles, monthly curated wellness meeting content designed to bring your team closer together.
Our goal is to foster a sense of community and support among your healthcare team because we believe that when you're connected, you're stronger.
Let's go, team!
Derrick Alger, BSN, MHA, MD
Kylie Alger, BA Exercise Science, Published Columnist
Mary Beth Helgens, MMIN, NBC-HWC, Wellcoaches® Certified Health and Well-being Coach
The Solution we are Offering
Elevate your physicians' well-being with 12 months of our custom Quick Connect Huddles. This ready-to-engage package provides curated content from our QC team to foster connections among colleagues, thereby reducing feelings of isolation and burnout.
Together, let's take proactive steps to prioritize the mental health and well-being of physicians.
Recognizing the alarming rates of burnout and suicide among physicians, Quick Connect Huddles was designed by a physician to foster his own's team collegiality, connection, and compassion. And now Dr. Alger wants to share this same format and have it available for all doctors to help reduce burnout and improve collegiality.
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