After five years as a virtual program, the New Employee Welcome (NEW) for UC Davis Health employees has returned onsite. This biweekly event’s return to the Sacramento campus was made possible by a dedicated project team of stakeholders from across the organization who collaborated for more than six months.

Since its return, NEW has welcomed over 450 new employees across five sessions. The program begins at 8:30 AM with a hearty breakfast and an optional Union Orientation, followed by a two-and-a-half-hour main presentation. The agenda features speakers from Health Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Experience, Parking and Transportation, Benefits, and Learning and Organizational Development. Feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive. Post-event surveys show that 80% of participants would recommend NEW to a colleague, and 90% felt the event helped them develop a sense of belonging. One participant noted the event was informative and appreciated the food and gifts, while another expressed gratitude for the effort put into making their first day a great one.