Schwartz Center Rounds
Schwartz Center Rounds Embraced by the University of Chicago Hospitals
Michael Riordan, CEO of the University of
Chicago Hospitals opens the event
By Steve Bachta, MS 3
Schwartz Rounds are a national initiative of The Schwartz Center which was founded by health care attorney, Kenneth B. Schwartz, in 1995, days before he died of lung cancer at age 40. The Schwartz Center works to promote a healthcare system where caregivers are compassionate, engaged, and able to spend the necessary time addressing both patients’ physical and emotional needs. The Schwartz Rounds assist this effort by creating a multidisciplinary forum where clinical caregivers can openly discuss their experiences, thoughts, and feelings as they relate to patient care. These gatherings have become a cherished monthly tradition at over eighty hospitals across the country.
The University of Chicago Hospitals joined the growing list of Schwartz Rounds participants by holding their inaugural event this past January 13th. The topic of “Pain Management” was discussed among a standing room only crowd of physicians, nurses, social workers, physical therapists, clergy, and medical students. After a warm welcome by University of Chicago Hospitals CEO Mike Riordan, the meeting was opened by panelists Dr. Chad Whelan (hospitalist), Ramona Behrendt (social work), and Marjorie Carson (nursing) who presented their views on pain, addiction, and the challenges of treating patients with chronic pain. After this introduction, the audience was encouraged to impart their own stories and wisdom upon the group. The atmosphere quickly transformed from a lecture to a conversation with audience members answering each others’ questions and relating issues from their own areas of expertise. This gathering of disciplines reluctantly disbanded at the top of the hour leaving the participants to continue their discussions on the hospital floors. However, it was stressed that any personal information shared during the session should remain privy only to those who were in attendance. Interestingly, unlike most lunchtime “Rounds,” the inaugural Schwartz Rounds made use of an “experience-based” rather than “evidence-based” format in an effort to improve not only the health of patients, but of caregivers as well.
Dr. John Schumann, who was integral in bringing the Schwartz Rounds to the University of Chicago, deemed this first meeting a great success. He assessed the healthy attendance as evidence of a need for humanistic outlets within the hospital, not to mention, a need for a larger room! Dr. Schumann recognized the many people who worked hard to make this event a success from all levels of the BSD and the Hospitals. This group hopes that the Schwartz Rounds will give our caregivers a chance to meet each other face-to-face in a supportive, collegial, and non-hierarchical setting, while learning about each individual’s perspectives, disciplines, and professional challenges.
Schwartz Rounds at the University of Chicago are held on the second Friday of each month.
The April 14th meeting will focus on “Breaking Down Stereotypes” including perceived notions about caregivers. it will be held in L-168. Lunch will be provided.
