CCARE at Stanford University

Who did your serve and what suffering did it adress?
My Capstone Project served doctors, healthcare workers and healthcare executives. It cultivated care of self, colleagues and patients amidst complexity, trauma and pain experienced by front line healthcare workers

How did this project address that suffering?
I designed a 90-minute online workshop to initiate the idea that 1) compassion is sustaining and different than empathy, 2) it can be cultivated to bring self-care in the moment and 3) it has practical benefit as a response to the suffering of others.

Who was your audience and how many people participated? 
We had so much interest from non-doctors in healthcare that we ran the online workshop twice. Participants included doctors, executives, allied health, and healthcare academics.

What was the reported impact on or feedback from participants? On yourself? 
One participant shared: "I've been feeling that compassion is undervalued but I've also felt indecisive and concerned that I don't know enough in caring for my patients. I was able to separate these issues better after the workshop. I took the time to connect differently with others today and it was well-received." 

How has the ACT Program helped you become an Ambassador of Compassion? 
The ACT process over these months gave me confidence and clarity, and it increased my capacity, commitment and courage to amplify the work we are doing in supporting healthcare workers. 

What advice would you give to someone who's considering participating in the ACT Program? 
Make the time for it and commit to a deeper understanding of compassion so you can activate it in your life. You will be supported by an extraordinary global community who are making a difference and by truly amazing heart-centered teachers.