Close-up of a compass with a yellow and orange star-shaped background, showing west and east directions, with the needle pointing slightly east of north.

The Meridian Compass

A framework for measurable well-being designed for healthcare systems and leaders.

Seeing what supports your people.

The Meridian Compass helps healthcare organizations understand and strengthen the systems that shape clinician and workforce well-being.

It’s not a survey or a wellness program — it’s a 100-point framework that measures how effectively your organization supports the people who make care possible.

Through four core directions — Navigation, Ease, Support, and Worth — the Compass provides a clear map of where well-being lives in your culture, where it’s missing, and how to sustain it over time.

A blue backpack with the word 'MERIDIAN' on it, placed on a dirt path covered with fallen autumn leaves; an open map is resting on top of the backpack; the scene is set in a wooded area with yellowing leaves in the background, suggesting a fall day.

How it works

The Meridian Compass organizes the complex landscape of well-being into a single, evidence-based structure.

Each of the 100 Meridian Requirements represents a measurable behavior or system property — verified through real documentation, not opinion.

Policies, programs, data, and leadership practices become visible proof points that show how culture and systems connect.

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Meridian Reference Engine

The Compass is interpreted through the Meridian Reference Engine (MRE)

PaperMap’s alignment system that houses the 100-point framework while also referencing national frameworks to offer contextual change justification.

Meridian’s model draws insight from nationally recognized frameworks for clinician well-being. These references are used for educational comparison only; Meridian is an independent model created by PaperMap Creative.

The MRE translates each framework into Meridian’s 100 unified requirements — ensuring your organization’s efforts align with national standards without duplicating work.

A cup of coffee, a book titled "Meridian Reference Engine," a compass, and a "PaperMap" mug on a rocky surface with fallen autumn leaves, outdoors, with a blurred background of trees with orange and yellow foliage.
A vintage compass with a yellow face, black markings, and orange and brown decorative elements, indicating the directions with a metal needle pointing slightly east of south.

Measured through the Unified Evaluator

Your organization’s Compass data is analyzed using the Meridian Unified Evaluator, which:

  • Reviews uploaded artifacts such as policies, dashboards, and reports.

  • Matches them to the corresponding Meridian Requirements.

  • Scores fulfillment and sustainment (A/B/C levels).

  • Generates visual Compass summaries for leadership review.

Together, the Compass, MRE, and Unified Evaluator create a measurable, repeatable system for understanding culture health — one that speaks the same language across departments and disciplines.

Progress you can see

Organizations advance through four levels of maturity.and tells a story of organizational growth — from alignment to endurance.

  • A winding paved road running through a hilly landscape of grass and shrubbery with a fence on the right side and distant hills in the background.

    Route (0–49 points)

    Establishing foundation and direction.

  • Lighthouse on rocky coast at sunset with starry sky and Milky Way galaxy visible

    Beacon (50–79 points)

    Active systems and leadership accountability.

  • Silhouettes of tall pine trees under a starry night sky with the Milky Way galaxy visible.

    Constellation (80–94 points)

    Integrated, data-informed culture.

  • A nighttime landscape featuring snow-covered mountains, a partly frozen lake with rocks on the icy surface, under a starry sky with the bright moon illuminating the scene and a faint glow of the northern lights.

    Zenith (95+ points, >24 months)

    Well-being as a stable system property.

The Four Directions of the Meridian Compass

Navigation keeps everyone oriented — clear direction, honest dialogue, and decisions that build trust.

  • A compass with a yellow face and orange and black markings, attached to the word 'Navigation' in orange 3D letters above it.

    🧭 Navigation


    Focus:
    Leadership, voice, fairness, and clarity.

    Examples:
    Transparent communication between leaders and teams. Shared decision-making and visible accountability. Leadership rounding and feedback that turns into action.

    Navigation keeps everyone oriented — clear direction, honest dialogue, and decisions that build trust.

  • A compass with a yellow face, black and orange details, and a green-tipped needle, pointing northeast.

    🌊 Ease


    Focus:
    Efficiency of practice, workflow, and operational flow.

    Examples:
    Streamlined documentation and reduced administrative load. Smart technology that supports, not distracts. Team structures that make the workday smoother and more predictable.

    Ease means fewer barriers and more focus on what matters — patient care and professional purpose.

  • A handheld compass with a yellow and orange starburst design on the face, pointing slightly east of north. The compass is labeled with cardinal directions, and the word "SUPPORT" is written below it in orange, stylized text.

    ❤️‍🩹 Support


    Focus:
    Safety, recovery, and psychological care.

    Examples:
    Peer support after difficult cases or events. Confidential access to counseling and mental health resources. Spaces and systems that prioritize rest, respect, and recovery.

    Support means every member of the team knows they’re cared for — not just as professionals, but as people.

  • A compass with a yellow face and black markings, showing north, south, east, and west directions. The needle points northeast, and there is a red button on the side.

    🌱 Worth


    Focus:
    Meaning, recognition, and growth.

    Examples:
    Recognition programs that celebrate excellence and teamwork. Leadership pathways and mentorship opportunities. A culture that connects daily work to shared purpose.

    Worth is where meaning and momentum meet — people grow, and the organization grows with them.

A navy blue backpack with the word 'MERIDIAN' embroidered on it, placed on the ground among fallen autumn leaves. An open map is partly visible sticking out of the backpack's top pocket. The background shows a tree-lined path with blurred yellow autumn foliage.

Outcome

The

The Meridian Compass gives healthcare leaders a clear view of how well-being is built into their systems — and how to make it stronger.

It turns good intentions into measurable progress, revealing what’s working, what’s missing, and what can be sustained.

“Meridian shows not just how your people feel — but how your system helps them thrive.”

 FAQs

  • Meridian Compass is a structured assessment and guidance system designed by PaperMap Creative to help healthcare organizations measure, strengthen, and sustain workforce well-being. It translates diverse well-being indicators—such as culture, efficiency, support, and fulfillment—into a unified framework that organizations can navigate with clarity and accountability. The goal is to move from isolated wellness efforts to an integrated, evidence-informed system for thriving teams.

  • Meridian Compass was built with awareness of leading national frameworks for clinician and workforce well-being, such as those developed by the AMA, Stanford Medicine, Mayo Clinic, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, the National Academy of Medicine, and the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office. These models inform Meridian’s comparative structure, helping ensure alignment with the broader field.

    However, Meridian Compass is entirely independent—it is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or certified through any of these organizations.

    Disclaimer:

    Meridian Compass is an independent educational and assessment model developed by PaperMap Creative. References to national frameworks (e.g., AMA Joy in Medicine™, Stanford WellMD, Mayo Well-Being Index, IHI Joy in Work, NAM National Plan, and the U.S. Surgeon General’s Framework) are used for comparative and informational purposes only. PaperMap Creative is not affiliated with or endorsed by these organizations.

  • Meridian Compass is designed for health systems, medical groups, academic centers, and professional associationsthat want a structured, credible approach to improving clinician and workforce well-being. It supports leaders in identifying strengths, diagnosing systemic risks, and prioritizing actions that foster engagement, equity, and sustainability. Each organization can tailor its path—whether launching foundational efforts or verifying mature, system-wide practices.

  • Unlike single-survey tools or wellness checklists, Meridian Compass integrates multiple sources of insight—such as local data, employee voice, and evidence-based interventions—into one navigable map. It bridges assessment and action, guiding organizations toward balanced progress across four dimensions: Navigation (clarity), Ease (efficiency), Support (safety), and Worth (meaning). This systems-level perspective helps teams see not just how people feel, but why—and what to do next.

  • Timelines depend on readiness, resources, and the certification level an organization pursues. Because Meridian Compass uses AI-supported scoring and human verification, certification can often be achieved much faster than traditional manual programs.

    Typical ranges are:

    • Initial Compass Certification: 2–4 weeks for a single-site hospital

    • Route or Beacon Level: 1–3 months, including planning and follow-through

    • Constellation or Zenith Level: 6–12 months, reflecting deeper program maturity and sustained outcomes

    PaperMap provides structured onboarding, milestone reviews, and optional coaching at every stage. Certification pathways also include advanced options for organizations that wish to go further—deepening meaning, connection, and well-being for their care teams.

  • The Meridian Explorer is an optional—but highly recommended—half-day in-person leadership development experience offered by PaperMap Creative. It introduces leaders to the Meridian model, connects them with national context, and equips them with practical “leadership justification” tools for culture change.

    Organizations should host the Explorer session early in their journey to accelerate alignment and set the tone for future certification. It can be scheduled as part of onboarding or as a stand-alone workshop.

  • Meridian Compass integrates both quantitative and qualitative evidence—including workforce surveys, staffing or workload data, leadership behaviors, and artifacts of organizational practice. All materials are PHI-safe and de-identified, following PaperMap’s artifact and privacy standards.

    Evidence is reviewed against the Meridian 100 Requirements, a nationally benchmarked set of standards defining effective and sustainable well-being infrastructure.

  • Meridian Compass offers tiered, scalable pricing based on organization size and level of certification. Packages range from introductory assessments to enterprise-level, multi-site certification programs that include leadership workshops and data-driven coaching.

    Pricing is customized following an initial consultation, ensuring transparency and alignment with organizational goals. Interested teams can request a tailored proposal at papermapcreative.com/contact.

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