Case Study: Hawai'i Pacific Health achieves rapid, mobile staff communication and reduced anxiety with Firstup

Delivering information to ease anxiety Critical updates reach all staff—no matter their location

Hawai'i Pacific Health (HPH), the largest non-profit healthcare network in the state serving about 7,000 employees across four medical centers and 70+ clinics, faced urgent communication and wellbeing challenges when COVID-19 hit. With staff working long shifts across islands, rising anxiety and burnout, and rapidly changing protocols, leaders needed a fast, mobile way to deliver timely PPE guidance, policies, and wellness support.

HPH launched the Firstup platform in three weeks to push targeted mobile notifications, daily COVID bulletins, leader video messages, and wellbeing content—boosting adoption from 20% on day one to 70% in six months. The platform improved frontline reach and engagement, eased staff anxiety through clear visual guidance and wellness initiatives, and gave communicators control and analytics to keep employees informed and connected.

Hawai’i Pacific Health

Raquel Hicks

Director of Organizational Effectiveness