
Krista Hirschmann | Enhance Communication
Relationship-Centered Communication for Healthcare Leaders and Teams
The fast-paced and competing demands of healthcare often make it difficult to fully support emerging and established leaders. Previous success or a respected reputation can cloud the need to grow leadership skills in meaningful and impactful ways. Investing in evidence-based leadership skills and a healthy communication culture generates higher quality outcomes by enhancing efficient and effective performance, while creating a safe and inclusive work environment by asking, "Who needs to have conversations with whom about what in what way?"

my healthcare wheelhouse
You work in healthcare because you are smart, you care, and you want to fix problems.
I work in healthcare because the system suffers from overwhelmed leaders, damaged relationships, and the challenge of navigating complex systems, which interferes with your ability to provide optimal care.
Let’s recalibrate by teaching leaders and teams how to design healthy and high-performance work cultures through effective communication. Here's how.
Krista Hirschmann, Ph.D.
The Simple Point of Relationship-Centered Care
is that the connection between the patient and provider, the interconnection among the care team, and the relationships in the structure of the system must be strong as the patient is ultimately cared for and the work accomplished through this network of relationships.
Leadership development
1:1 ThinKinG PARTNER
1:1 Partnering with leaders at any level, with a particular affinity for mid-level leaders who are caught between administrative responsibility and the immediate needs of frontline staff. Minimum of 6 sessions recommended to support success.
QuiCkDIP Workshops
4-hour workshops for leaders and/or teams review core skills to asssess and recalibrate team dynamics. Can be delivered virtually or in-person, stand alone or as a series. Follow-up coaching recommended to support success.
Data Informed InTERVENTIONS
Certified in both Relational Coordination and Psycological Safety I use validated tools to identify patterns and thoughtfully facilitate "who needs to have a conversation with whom about what in what way?" in order to move unproductive patterns forward.
Relationship-Centeredness Everywhere
While my experience and expertise lie squarely in health care, relationship-centered communication is applicable in any industry, and I am open to serving as fresh eyes for the right project.


Using a complementary toolkit of evidence-based approaches and interpersonal skills
working with enhance?
Here's the buzz.
"Krista is a thought leader who brings emotional intelligence and insight into the work she does. Her vast experience leading groups to facilitate cohesiveness makes her my “go to” partner when team building is on the agenda for development. In my current role Krista helped me design a leadership summit to help the team form. From the kernel of an idea I had Krista helped me craft a program that was inspirational and well received.”
Deb - Shriners Children's
"Working with Krista has been a professional, meaningful, and inspiring opportunity. She intentionally takes the time to understand the needs of our projects, using systems thinking to provide a comprehensive plan. We have brought Krista in for various strategies, including leadership and team development."
Molly - Lehigh Valley Physicians Group
“Leaders at our organization enthusiastically engaged and endorsed the workshop developed and facilitated by Krista. Each of them walked away with new tools to deepen connection with their teams and anticipate increased satisfaction, efficiency and productivity for all of their team members as a result! Every participant was inspired to further explore concepts presented and suggested that ALL leaders at our FQHC attend this workshop!”
Mimi Mateo - CNM, MSN, CDE - Director of Employee Wellness and of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, TrueCare
About | Krista hirschmann
- Taught as a college professor for 10 years before transitioning to healthcare and working there for the next 20.
- My CV is about 15 pages long, suggesting experience but not pretentiousness.
- Have 3 children, 1 partner and 1 dog. I love them all and spend a good bit of time cleaning up after them.
- Went to high school in the 80s. You can do the math and guess the hairstyle.
- I’m known for saying: “ . . . because the work gets done through the relationship.”
- Enjoy relaxing in a sunny kitchen in the morning and a good book by a fire at night, though either rarely happens.
- Consistently test as an introvert and like working with teams
- Basketball is my first love and, if possible, I block my schedule to watch March Madness.
- Despite being a Writing Fellow in college I’ve never committed to using, commas, properly.
Finally, I earned my B.A. from La Salle University in Philadelphia, PA, my M.A. from the University of Maine, in Orono, ME and my Ph.D. from the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL. These were three very different communities in which to live and learn and I value each experience. All my degrees are in Communication, as when I find something I like, I stick with it.
Additional Credentials
Academy of Communication in Healthcare
Faculty & Senior Faculty Advisor, co-author
Master Trainer & US Liaison for Flinders
Chronic Condition Management Program
Relational Coordination Certified Professional
Psychological Safety Certification in Partnership with
Organizations Served
Yale New Haven Hospital (see publication here)
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (see publication here)
Bellevue Hospital Palliative Medicine Program
Shriners Hospital for Children
Lehigh Valley Physicians Group
St. Luke’s University Health Network
Neighborhood Health Centers of the Lehigh Valley
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System
NorthShore University Health System
Enhance Your TEAM
The fast-paced and competing demands of healthcare often make it difficult to fully support and develop emerging and established leaders. Previous success or a respected reputation can cloud the need to grow leadership skills in meaningful and impactful ways. Investing in concrete leadership skills and a healthy communication culture generates higher quality outcomes by enhancing efficient and effective performance, while creating a safe and inclusive work environment.
krista.hirschmann@gmail.com
Lehigh Valley, PA
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ENHANCE | Communication
ENhancing Healthcare ANd Communication Effectiveness.