Compassion and Valuing Every Person

Overview

Inspired by Dr. Anthony Thomas, Jr.’s valuing of every person with whom he came into contact no matter their background, appearance, or social status, we invite insights gained through moments of “Compassion and Valuing Every Person” in the context of healthcare delivery. In particular we want to learn from you about the wisdom and power of human interactions that allow flourishing, amplify voices who have been less heard, and give rise to unexpected kindnesses in human interactions. Stories of ways in which people have positively overcome systemic assumptions and injustices are particularly encouraged.

• Give to the Anthony J. Thomas Jr., MD Memorial Lecture Series

2023 Event Information

The 2023 Compassion and Valuing Every Person event featured awardees who highlighted powerful actions of compassion and kindness.

Event Date: October 3, 2023

Location: Sheila and Eric Samson Pavilion Health Education Campus

• View event flyer.
• Watch the video recording. 

Keynote Speaker

“Wallstreet Wes”
Wesley Robinson
Award Winning Poet

Award Winners

“Yeah, I know. My blood pressure is high”
Blessing Udoh, BS
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine Student

“Apology to patient”
Baila Elkin, MD
Internal Medicine Resident, Main Campus

“Find Your Way with Compassion”
Maria Eckhouse, RN, AMB-BC
Executive Health Nurse Liaison, Main Campus

“A Crisis”
Kristin Seastrand, BSN, RN, CPN
Sickle Cell Care Coordinator, Main Campus

Special Recognition Awardees

Elizabeth McRoberts, RN
Emergency Department, Indian River

Shariyka Newton, E1 Private
Data Abstractor and Staffing Associate, Independence

Compassion and Valuing Every Person event 2023

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• Wallstreet Wes

• Blessing Udoh

• Balia Elkin

• Maria Eckhouse

• Maria Eckhouse

2021 Event Information

The year the Empathy and Valuing Every Person event will feature awardees who will highlight powerful actions of compassion and kindness.

Event Date: October 4, 2021

Location:  Virtual

• View event flyer.

Speakers

Narrative Category:

“How Being a Cleveland Clinic Patient Shaped My Approach to Caregiving”
Miya Ulatowski
Phlebotomy Technician

“Presence”
Mary Carneval
General Surgeon

“In Return”
Kathryn Shinko
Radiological Technology Student

Visual Art Category:

“Power of Touch”
Reginald Williams
Patient Transporter

“Beneath the Waves”
Maeve Pascoe
Medical Student

2020 Event Information

Empathy and Valuing Every Person Lecture Series: Three Phases of COVID-19 experiences
3rd Annual event in honor of Dr. Anthony Thomas, Jr.
Hosted by Center for Bioethics

The theme focused on the challenges presented in light of the turbulence caused by COVID-19 and the instances of humanity, empathy, and respect for others that continue to abound.

Speakers

September 14, 2020

Narratives:

“Quarantine Quotes” - Deb Bercik, PT
Senior Physical Therapist
Therapy Services Westlake

“Finding Hope in a COVID-19 ICU” - Zachary Jerusalem, MD
Fellow, Critical Care Medicine
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus

“Gratitude in a COVID 19 Testing Center” - Tracey Newman, MA
Dermatology Medical Assistant
Elyria Family Health Surgery Center

Visual Art:

“The Fear” - Maeve Pascoe, BS
Medical Student
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine 

Special Reflection:

“Socially Distant” - Abarna Ramanthan, MD
Resident, Internal Medicine
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus 

Speakers

October 19, 2020

Narratives:

“A Powerful Pause Amid the Chaotic Pandemic of COVID-19: A Testimony of Hope and Servant Leadership” - Alexis Smith, BSN, RN
Nurse, Float Pool
Cleveland Clinic Enterprise Staffing Resource

“Bearing Witness to Our Shared Humanity in the Midst of COVID-19” - Jawad Bayat, M.Div
Chaplin Supervisor Trainee, Spiritual Care
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus

“Father’s Daughter” - Rubabin Tooba, MD
Resident, Internal Medicine
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus

Visual Art:

“Symphonies of Hope” - Uzma Siddiqi, MD
Hospitalist, Hospital Medicine
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus

Special Reflection:

“Cheers” - Anne Song, MD
Alumnus
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine

Speakers

November 16, 2020

Narratives:

“On a Tuesday- somewhere in 2020”-Mahwish Ahmad, MD, MPH
Ethicist, Center for BioethicsCleveland Clinic, Main Campus

“Homeless Quarantine”-Geoffrey Lake, MBA, MSW, LISW-S CCM
Manager, Case Management
Cleveland Clinic, Main Campus

Visual Art:

“In the time of COVID”-Elia Pestana-Knight, MD
Physician, Epilepsy Center
Cleveland Clinic, Main Campus
* Narrative will be shared in Spanish & English

“Breathe”-Emily Katzin
Project Manager, Sustainability
Cleveland Clinic, Main Campus

Special Reflection:

“Non-Clinical”-Natalia Perkins
Data Analyst, Data Governance Office
Cleveland Clinic, Lyndhurst

Special Community Recognition:

“Face to face”-Matilda Washingto
Student
Syracuse University

2019 Event Information

Many wonderful ideas were submitted for this event, each one uniquely highlighting this year’s theme “Empathy and Valuing Every Person.” It was a very difficult decision to make, but three speakers were selected that will leave attendees feeling inspired to engage and respect every person they meet in all aspects of their life.

Speakers

“Mom and her 3 Best Friends”
Kathy Ray
Associate IT Business Services & Solutions Partner, Cleveland Clinic ITD

"Code Pink"
Perry Dinardo
Fourth-year medical student, Cleveland Clinic Learner College of Medicine

"Water, music, language: elements of compassion”
Connie Xu
RN, Cardio Vascular Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Main Campus

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• 2019 Event Highlights: Speakers

• The Anthony J. Thomas, Jr. Memorial Lecture Series

• “Mom and her 3 Best Friends”, Kathy Ray, BRMP, Associate IT Business Services & Solutions Partner, HealthCare Partner, Cleveland Clinic

• “Code Pink”, Perry Dinardo, BA, Fourth-year medical student, Cleveland Clinic Learner College of Medicine

• “Water, music, language: elements of compassion”, Connie Xu RN, BSN, Cardio Vascular Surgery, Cleveland Clinic

• Left to Right: Adrienne Boissy, MD, MA; Kathy Ray, BRMP; Perry Dinardo, BA; Connie Xu, RN, BSN; Paul J. Ford, PhD

2018 Event Information

2018 Inaugural Event Highlights

We had an amazing inaugural event on October 8, 2018. Four people shared very personal narratives. Johanna Goldfarb, MD provided a personal anecdote about Dr. Thomas that set the stage beautifully for the audience to hear the messages of the day. Our three award recipients each gave their reflection and wisdom regarding empathy and valuing of people. It was a celebration of us at our best as humans who help each other.

2018 Speakers

Red Clay, Red Coats and Respect: a Caregiver’s Story
Gayle Deadwyler
Healthcare Partner Council Volunteer

Drifting in the Sea of an Emergency Room
Eric Keller, RN
Cleveland Clinic Akron General

I Became the Family Member in my Own ICU Unit
Sandra Galvin, Nurse Manager of Heart Failure ICU/CICU
Cleveland Clinic's main campus

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• 2018 Inaugural Event Highlights: The Anthony J. Thomas, Jr. Memorial Lecture Series

• “Red Clay, Red Coats and Respect: a Caregiver’s story” Gayle Deadwyler, Healthcare Partner Council Volunteer

• “Drifting in the sea of an emergency room” Eric Keller, RN, Cleveland Clinic Akron General

• “I became the family member in my own ICU unit” Sandra Galvin,Nurse Manager of Heart Failure ICU/CICU main campus

Donors

Anthony J. Thomas Jr., MD Memorial Lecture Series Donors

Thank you to our donors for make this series possible:

• John J. and Josephine Thomas Charitable Foundation.
• The Anthony J. Thomas, Jr. Family.
• F.J. O'Neill Endowment.
• Amy Greene and Thomas Reuter.
• 5 Separate Anonymous Donations.
• Barbara Chubak, MD.
• Brian S. Shields.
• Bud Isaacson.
• Carino Family.
• Carmen Paradis.
• David G. Anthony, MD and Family.
• Doreen and John Thomas.
• Dr. James B. Young MD.
• Ford Family.
• Gretchen Losey.
• Kathryn Thomas, CSJ.
• Kathryn Weise.
• Kuback Family.
• Janie and Allen Bashour.
• Johanna Goldfarb.
• John Thomas.
• Joyce Joecken.
• Lenny Calabrese.
• Lisa (Thomas) Cohen.
• Mythily Ramanathan.
• Paula and Sam Thomas.
• Patti Bulter.
• Patty Mayer.
• Margot M Eves.
• Maureen Heuler and Patricia Adams, CSJ.
• Members of Congregation of St. Joseph.
• Susannah Rose.
• Thomas Saad.
• Laura Hoeksema.