Schwartz Rounds

Schwartz Rounds are a multidisciplinary forum where caregivers discuss the difficult emotional and social issues that arise in caring for patients. Very different from clinical or ethics rounds, Schwartz Rounds is not about what happened, but how it felt.

Rounds were piloted at Massachusetts General Hospital in 1997 and have been held there since. Currently, Schwartz Rounds are held in hundreds of sites across the US and almost 200 in UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

We hope you will find Schwartz Rounds a safe, comfortable forum where you can learn from and support each other.
 

Sessions are open to all HSHS Physician Enterprise colleagues, physicians and providers (HSHS Medical Group and Prairie Cardiovascular). Participants are welcome to bring a sack lunch.

CMEs and CEUs can be earned by attending this session. View the disclosure information here. 
 

EFFINGHAM
Wednesday, July 9, 2025 12:30-1:00pm
Location: HSHS St. Anthony's Hospital | SAE Auditorium
Topic: TBA

CARBONDALE
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 12:00-12:30pm
Location: 409 W. Oak St. | Maria Falcone Board Room
Topic: TBA

DECATUR
Thursday, November 6, 2025 12:30-1:00pm
Location: HSHS St. Mary's Hospital | Assisi Room
Topic: TBA

VIRTUAL SCHWARTZ ROUNDS
Wednesday, August, 20 2025 12:30-1:00pm
Topic: TBA

Here’s what HSHS colleagues, physicians and providers are saying after attending Schwartz Rounds:

“As healthcare providers, we are often solution focused beings – ‘fixers’. There is inherent conflict when we face these daily challenges of things we cannot fix. Schwartz Rounds provides an outlet to discuss that inner conflict and helps to renew strength from compassion fatigue. It was very helpful to hear others’ experiences with personal relationships with patients and family, feelings of helplessness, and other difficult situations.”

“This was a wonderful experience and very necessary. Thank you for all the work you put into planning. Fantastic first effort. Thank you!”

“This should be a requirement for all HSHS colleagues yearly.”

“Really enjoyed the experiences being shared. This is a safe space to open up.”

The Schwartz Center is a non-profit organization housed at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. It was established by Ken Schwartz, a healthcare attorney, who died of lung cancer in 1995 at age 40. During his illness, Ken wrote a poignant account of his struggle with cancer that was published in the Boston Globe Magazine. In his essay, “A Patient’s Story,” Ken described a group of caregivers who attended to his medical as well as emotional needs –caregivers who “made the unbearable bearable.” He worried that with the financial pressures and the changing healthcare environment would take the engagement and empathy out of healthcare. Ken expressed a wish before he passed away to set up a center to focus on the patient & caregiver relationship.

Planning committee members are happy to answer your questions about the program. Feel free to contact them if you would like to learn more or have suggestions.

• Brittany DeRiggi – Market Director - Operations 
• Curtis Gardner – Facilitator of Registration - Prairie Cardiovascular Consultants Springfield 
• Keith Griffeth – VP - Quality & Medical Staff Services
• Tammy Johnston – Practice Manager 
• Dana Leefers, PharmD, CDE – Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacist  
• Amy McNeil – Social Work Coordinator 
• Holly Meyer – Practice Manager 
• Amber Poettker, PA-C – Clinton County Rural Health Breese 
• Alexis Ruiz - Coordinator of Patient Experience
• Barb Schauble – HR Generalist 
• Deedra Wessel - Quality Improvement Nurse