Award Criteria

Criteria for Nomination

The Schwartz Compassionate Caregiver Award recognizes extraordinary healthcare professionals from across the country who embody the characteristics of compassionate care and whose professional achievements have helped to create healing healthcare environments for patients, families, colleagues, and communities.

Up to three award recipients will be chosen by a review committee. Nominees include healthcare professionals who are clinical and nonclinical providers, administrators, educators, and others who provide direct or indirect care to patients, families, and/or healthcare staff.

Nominations are closed for 2026.

Areas of Impact

Healing

Supports all aspects of patient and family well-being and quality of life

Possesses excellent clinical skills appropriate to caregiving role

Listens attentively and communicates in a way the patient and family can understand

Demonstrates care for the patient as a whole person

Vision

Possesses the sensitivity and skills to perceive and address an unmet need for compassion among patients, families, or healthcare staff

Has empowered others to develop and implement an innovative program, practice, or policy that has had a meaningful impact on healthcare experience and/or outcomes

Is regarded by colleagues, patients, and families as a force for positive change on an organizational or systems level

Works as a member of an integrated healthcare team that values others' contributions

Equity

Has created programs, practices, and/or policies that enable equitable access to compassionate, high-quality healthcare for underserved communities

Has created programs, practices, and/or policies that address, reduce, and dismantle historical inequities in healthcare

Implements collaborative, systems-level responses to advance health equity

Please note that family caregivers are not eligible for this award. We recognize the instrumental role family caregivers play in providing compassionate care; however, we are currently unable to extend our selection criteria for the award beyond that of caregivers who are healthcare professionals.

If you have questions about the award, please visit our FAQs page or contact award@theschwartzcenter.org.

Nominations are closed for 2026.