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In This Issue:
This year’s Thomson Scholar awardees and their projects
Emboldened by an unwavering focus on the provision of compassionate care at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, six special clinical leaders were recognized on June 19 as Dennis J. Thomson Compassionate Care Scholars.
The program, now in its third year, has become an important opportunity to recognize caregivers for their focus on providing compassionate care under the most challenging of circumstances. Recipients of the scholarship received a plaque, a special pin identifying them as a Compassionate Care Scholar and $500 to fund their proposed projects.
The Dennis J. Thomson Compassionate Care Scholars program bears the name of BWH’s late vice president of Public Affairs whose commitment to the ideals of compassionate care continue to resonate throughout the hospital. The program now provides a foundation for future efforts and a forum for the sharing of best practices.
At the June 19 event, attendees absorbed the calming words of Janet Abrahm, MD, FACP, director of the Pain and Palliative Care Program at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, who gave the 2002 Thomson Compassionate Care Lecture.
In speaking about her role in palliative care and the special relationships she developed with patients over the years, Abrahm noted that “if I couldn’t cure their cancer, I could ameliorate their suffering.”
“Doctors can redirect hope for people with advanced disease by asking them to think about the things they'd really like to do if they weren’t on chemo all the time, and helping them find ways to do them,” said Abrahm. “Doctors can help people make the choice that's right for them by discussing how much burden the treatment carries versus the benefit they’re likely to get from it.”
Noting that 56 percent of people still spend their last days in hospitals, Abrahm reminded the audience that “we all have so many opportunities to make those last days bearable. It is an incredible obligation and an amazing opportunity. ”