In Pursuit of Belonging: Lived Experiences of Workers in a Start-Up Healthcare Practice

Date of Award

8-15-2026

Degree Name

Ed.D in Leadership for Organizations

Department

Department of Educational Administration

Advisor/Chair

Aaliyah Baker

Abstract

Lived experiences undoubtedly shape one’s sense of belonging. When people feel included in a social or work group, they form meaningful connections with their peers, leading to greater engagement and higher job satisfaction. Through the lens of intersectionality, this dissertation-in-practice explored the lived experiences of healthcare workers in a start-up medical practice in a suburban area of the southwestern United States. A hermeneutic phenomenological approach enabled the researcher to gain important insights into participants' experiences and what was meaningful to them. Data were gathered through three semi-structured interviews and one day of unstructured observations, which provided valuable information about team interactions and additional context for the study. Data analysis was guided by Paul Ricœur’s theory of interpretation, which offers an effective framework for interpreting lived experiences. This study presented a unified framework for intersectionality and workplace belonging, which rests on four interconnected pillars: interpersonal skills, growth and development, sense of purpose, and awareness and understanding. This framework demonstrates how the four pillars of belonging are influenced internally by intersecting and overlapping elements of one’s identity, and externally, by the social norms, cultural values, company policies, and implicit biases of the work environment. Findings revealed four themes that influenced participants’ sense of belonging: the importance of interpersonal connection and relationship-building; the role of effective communication across diverse contexts; opportunities for continuous learning and development of training programs across all job roles; and the significance of recognition as a form of motivation. Using the findings, this study proposed an action plan to enhance participants’ sense of belonging by advancing their interpersonal and professional skills, fostering open dialogue across difference, and creating an environment where everyone feels heard, valued, and respected. Although conducted in a healthcare setting, this study contributes to practice by offering an actionable framework that can be implemented in service-oriented organizations seeking to enhance workplace belonging.

Keywords

belonging, intersectionality, hermeneutic phenomenology, participatory action research, lived experiences, start-up healthcare practice, inclusion, meaningful connection, diversity, equity, inclusion

Rights Statement

Copyright 2026, author

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