The purpose of this Caritas Coach project that focused on forming a trans-disciplinary caring circle is to create an opportunity to gather as a team in sacred space and to learn through experiential engagement about the 10 Caritas Processes™ in an effort to increase Caritas Literacy and team-building within the triad teams.

1. Kaiser Permanente, Northern California
Caritas Consortium 2013
Changing Hearts:
The Creation of a Trans-disciplinary Hospital-based Team Caring Circle
Caritas in Action
How Caring Science informs and inspires KP caregivers and affirms our commitment to provide our
patients and their families exceptional care

2. Changing Hearts: The Creation of a Transdisciplinary Hospital-based Team Caring Circle
Intent to Contribute Statement:
Purpose: The purpose of the project that focused on forming a trans-disciplinary caring circle is to create an
opportunity to gather as a team in sacred space and to learn through experiential engagement about the 10 Caritas
Processes™ in an effort to increase Caritas Literacy and team-building within the triad teams.
Project Description: Elements of the 10 Caritas Processes™ have been implemented into the culture of Utilization
Management/Social Services over the past two years. Emphasis has been on centering, sharing caring
moments, and the encouragement of self-care. A ‘Spa to Go’ basket was created to encourage self-care at work
stations. This year a mini-caring circle was formed to help plan for continued learning opportunities and the
inclusion of the physicians and social workers. The kick-off event was held July 20, 2012. Caring Science was the
topic for the monthly one-hour collaborative (mandatory) lunch meeting. Participants sat in a circle around a sacred
space created in the center of the room. The elements that comprise a Circle gathering were described. The
video, Water, Consciousness and Intent, was shown as the centering moment. While the participants ate their
lunches, a brief introduction on Caring Science was presented. Caritas Process #1™ on loving-kindness was
introduced through an expressive art collage activity themed around self-care. At the onset and end of the
activity, each participant was asked to share one word that symbolized self-care to them. WORDLEs were created
and shared with the group for each set of shared words. One physician leader shared a touching caring moment.
The gathering ended with the showing of the video, Free-Hug Campaign.
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3. Changing Hearts: The Creation of a Transdisciplinary Hospital-based Team Caring Circle
Con’t:
Project Outcome: There was a stellar turnout and participants seemed happy and much more relaxed by end of the
gathering. The post WORDLE demonstrates the use of warmer and caring words after the experiential engagement
in the art collage activity. Participants learned about self-care through experiencing a caring moment. Several in the
group (including physicians) wanted to share their collages. Participants have displayed their collages at their work
stations. A favorable NCAL Kaiser Intranet article was written about this event, which concluded: “The brief break
from a stressful work day demonstrated the connection between caring for oneself and caring for others, and the
power of focusing on the present” (Borba, 2012).
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4. Changing Hearts: The Creation of a Transdisciplinary Hospital-based Team Caring Circle
Inspired Contributor(s) 1 :
Nancy Anderson – Caritas Coach

-----Service Area: Fresno
Medical Center: FRS
Affiliation:
-----Year Shared: 2013
Venue: Caritas Consortium
Format: Poster
ID #: n/a
1
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Names as listed in Lotus Notes, otherwise personal e-mails indicated
Keyword TAGs:
Identifier
 Consortium2013-July, Fresno,
Poster, Caritas Coach, Patient
Care Services
 Education & Staff Dev, Self
Descriptor
 Healing Arts, Self-Care

5. Changing Hearts: The Creation of a Transdisciplinary Hospital-based Team Caring Circle
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