Case Study: Encompass Health achieves secure, high-engagement employee communication during COVID-19 with uStudio private podcasting

Encompass Health Uses Private Podcasting to Keep Employees Engaged During COVID-19

Encompass Health, a national provider of inpatient rehabilitation, home health and hospice services with over 80% of staff working on the road, faced a communications challenge when COVID-19 hit: how to quickly, securely and authentically get critical updates from leadership to a dispersed, mobile workforce (clinicians average an 18-minute drive between patients) while protecting proprietary information.

The company adopted uStudio’s private podcasting to deliver short, targeted (15–20 minute) episodes covering PPE availability, safety protocols, leadership updates, wellness and human-interest stories. The secure platform enabled same-day recording and publishing, increased cadence to three episodes a week, boosted employee trust and engagement, helped leaders dispel rumors with direct tone and messaging, and even amplified staff-led initiatives like an iPad fundraiser for nursing home residents.

Encompass Health

Heather Hodges

VP of Professional Development