Compassionate caregiver Zawacki featured in Globe

December 11, 2012

Gastroenterologist John Zawacki, MD, professor of medicine and winner of the 2012 Schwartz Center Compassionate Caregiver Award, was featured in the Monday, Dec. 10, Boston Globe. In an interview with the Globe’s Karen Weintraub, Dr. Zawacki explains why some caregivers may not be as compassionate as they could be. “The pressures are on because of the time constraints of seeing so many people. But I always tell [students] you can create, even in minutes, a meaningful relationship just by your whole demeanor,” he said.

The Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare, a nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the relationship between patients and their health care providers, established the Schwartz Center Compassionate Caregiver Award in 1999 to honor health care providers who display extraordinary compassion in caring for patients and families. The recipient is chosen by a review committee based on how well he or she embodies the characteristics of compassionate care, including effective communication, emotional support, mutual trust and respect, involving patients and families in health care decisions, and treating patients as people, not just illnesses.

Read the Boston Globe story here: Compassionate care is rooted in respect for patients