Fostering a sense of community

Amanda Cobb, Magnet program clinical director at UCHealth Memorial Central and Memorial North, has been an active member of the Southern Colorado Emerging Professionals Group (EPG) for more than two years.

The EPG creates opportunities for emerging professionals to build relationships, expand their skills and volunteer in the community.

Always looking for meaningful ways for people to connect and continue to grow, Cobb was inspired by the abundance of foundational books that were often recommended by leadership and were collecting dust on shelves. Her idea: create a leadership lending library for EPG members.

“There are many timeless leadership books that are considered staples,” Cobb said. “So I thought, why don’t we do a round-up and everyone clean out their bookshelves. Then, let’s make those available for our emerging professionals who haven’t had the opportunity to read them yet.”

Cobb organized book donations from directors and executives, stocking the lending library with leadership books.

“They get to clear out their bookshelf and help invest in our future leaders in a different way,” Cobb said. “It’s not necessarily a contribution of time, which everyone’s time is really limited right now, but it’s a way that they feel like they can contribute to our emerging professionals program.”

In an effort to further create internal networking opportunities, Cobb added vintage library book checkout cards to the front of each book. Colleagues are encouraged to sign the library cards upon checkout, which offers an opportunity for connection with those who have read the book before them.

Centrally located at Memorial Hospital Central, the EPG library recently opened to members. As the library continues to grow, Cobb hopes that it fosters a “sense of community” among EPG members.

“The emerging professionals group has been great,” Cobb said. “It helps people and it’s been a really great group to be a part of.”