Kenneth B. Schwartz Center

CONTACT:

205 Portland St., 6th floor
Boston, MA 02114-2792
617-724-4746
www.theschwartzcenter.org

Julie Rosen, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

In July 1995, thousands of New Englanders were touched by "A Patient's Story," Ken Schwartz's eloquent and poignant account, in the Boston Globe Magazine, of his struggle with cancer, and how his medical caregivers attended his emotional as well as his physical needs--helping to "make the unbearable bearable." Ken Schwartz died of lung cancer that year, at age 40, leaving his wife and young son.

As a knowledgeable health care attorney, he worried that government cuts, financial pressures and the rapidly changing health care system might mean the end of compassionate care. "In such a cost-conscious world, can any hospital continue to nurture those precious moments of engagement between patient and caregiver that provide hope to the patient and vital support to the healing process?" His answer was: yes.

One of his last acts was to create a Center dedicated to strengthening the relationship between caregivers and their patients. The Center trains medical personnel in the spiritual and humane dimensions of their work, and sponsors speakers on related topics to raise public awareness. If you are concerned about this, here is how you can help.

(1998: HUMAN SERVICES: Health and Aging: General)