Ho! Ho! Ho! It’s The CEO! How Wayne Sensor’s Christmas Ritual Became A Symbol of Caring Leadership.

A Joyful Activity For Staff, For Sensor, And For His Family

Every Christmas afternoon, Sensor, his wife, and their two young children would visit the hospital, candy canes in hand. “The kids were thrilled to participate, proudly handing out candy canes and spreading cheer as they accompanied me on my rounds,” Sensor explains.  “The kids were young enough to think it was cool to give out candy canes,” Sensor recalls. “But it was really about more than that. It was about saying thank you personally and heartfeltly, recognizing the sacrifice these employees were making so others could be home with their families.” For the staff working on Christmas Day, meeting the CEO’s family and seeing his gratitude helped them feel seen and valued during a time when many might feel overlooked.

Bringing The True Meaning Of The Season To The Hospital: A Holiday Tradition That Stuck

The impact of this tradition went far beyond a simple holiday gesture. It became something that staff looked forward to every year, a rare chance to see their CEO’s personal side and connect with his family. One year, Sensor and his family could not make the rounds due to travel plans. “The disappointment among the staff was palpable,” Sensor recalls. “They were genuinely upset,” Sensor shares. “Not because they didn’t get a candy cane, but because they had become invested in this annual tradition. They wanted to see how much our kids had grown. It was a reminder that small gestures can build deep, meaningful connections.”

The Christmas rounding tradition became integral to the hospital’s culture, symbolizing Sensor’s leadership style: personal, accessible, and grounded in genuine care for his team. It wasn’t just about showing up—it was about being present, an affirmation of the staff’s sacrifices and creating a moment of joy and gratitude during a busy, often stressful time of year.

Unannounced Rounds, Unanticipated Feedback, Immediate Actions

Sensor developed a disciplined approach to twice-a-week rounding on different units, typically unannounced. These visits were designed to be spontaneous and direct. He wanted to interact with frontline staff without the filter of management. “I would show up unannounced, go straight to the units, and ask the team how things were going,” Sensor explains. “These interactions were about more than just visibility—they were a chance to get raw, unfiltered feedback directly from the people doing the work.”

These unannounced rounds often uncovered issues that might have been overlooked in a more structured setting. During a visit to centralized laundry, a department rarely seen by executives, Sensor learned about workflow inefficiencies and outdated equipment that were causing delays. The staff was surprised and appreciative of his presence. His willingness to listen led to immediate improvements that boosted morale and productivity.

You Are Invited To Join The CEO For Lunch: A Personal Touch

Sensor instituted a monthly “Lunch with the CEO” program to complement his hands-on approach. He invited a cross-section of employees from different departments to join him for an informal meal. The lunch was held in the executive conference room, with white tablecloths and a carefully planned menu conveying to invited employees they were valued and respected.

The purpose of these lunches was twofold: to build relationships across the organization and to create a safe space for employees to voice their concerns directly to the top. “I asked managers to nominate staff who they thought would benefit from the experience, and I invited them,” Sensor says. “It was a chance for them to meet me in a different setting and to speak freely about their ideas and challenges.”

These lunches often yielded surprising and actionable insights. In one instance, a nurse shared how cumbersome the electronic medical record (EMR) system was during patient admissions. The inefficiencies were causing delays in discharges because nurses were reluctant to admit new patients due to the cumbersome documentation process. Sensor followed up by organizing a demo of the EMR system with the nursing team. This led to a complete overhaul of the admission screens, significantly reducing length of stay and improving patient flow.

As Ivan Bartolome, CEO of HealthSearch Partners, puts it, “Seemingly small gestures can have a lasting, meaningful impact on staff. Wayne’s tactics, especially rounding on Christmas Day with his family, personalized his leadership style and established an immediate connection with staff throughout the hospital.”