Oct. 6, 2023
Becca Cahal
Employee Wellbeing Specialist
MLK Community Healthcare
Los Angeles, California
Becca Cahal, LCSW, MPH, plays a pivotal role as the Employee Well-being Specialist and Counselor at Martin Luther King Jr. Community Healthcare (MLKCH) in Los Angeles, California. In this position, Becca oversees the mental, physical, and spiritual well-being of more than 2,000 staff members. A strong desire to help those in need led Becca to receive her dual master's degree in Social Work and Public Health from the University of Southern California. Her journey began with providing crucial psychosocial support to patients, but it was through this experience that she recognized the vital need for employee well-being. Consequently, she redirected her career to concentrate on fostering a healthier work environment and enhancing workplace wellness.
What sets Becca apart is her dedication to connecting with employees on a personal level. She joined MLKCH during the challenging times of the pandemic through a grant-funding program aimed at supporting the mental health and well-being of hospital staff. Her day-to-day responsibilities involve a dynamic mix of one-on-one counseling sessions and strategic program planning to ensure that MLKCH's diverse staff has the necessary tools and resources to take charge of their health.
Leveraging her expertise, she conducts one-on-one confidential counseling sessions, providing essential support to the MLKCH team. Becca's commitment to employee well-being extends beyond individual sessions. She takes a proactive approach by planning and implementing comprehensive corporate wellness programs that are designed not only to address immediate concerns but to create a lasting impact on the overall workforce.
Among Becca's standout initiatives are the lactation and mindfulness/meditation rooms installed in all staff breakrooms. These thoughtfully designed spaces, equipped with reclining massage chairs and mental health resources, underline Becca's commitment to holistic employee well-being. She supports the company’s Week of Wellness event featuring resources for healthy behaviors like virtual meditation, VR headset walking challenges, hand massages, and discounted healthy meals and snacks. In 2023, Becca elevated her contributions by producing MLKCH's first employee-inspired cookbook, featuring recipes and healthy tips from both staff and dietitians. She also organized MLKCH's inaugural health and wellness fair, providing employees with valuable opportunities to interact with health and wellness vendors for resources and guidance.
During Becca’s free time, she enjoys exercising, traveling, being in nature, trying new restaurants (a foodie at heart), and riding her road bike where she has completed a century ride, a 100-mile bike ride.
