The document discusses the 'Heart It Forward' initiative by Kaiser Permanente, emphasizing the importance of altruism and kindness in patient care, inspired by Jean Watson's caritas principles. On Valentine's Day 2013, staff at Kaiser Vallejo encouraged acts of kindness by distributing heart stickers and cards to promote kindness among colleagues, patients, and families. This initiative highlights the impact of small gestures of kindness in creating a positive hospital environment.

1. Kaiser Permanente, Northern California
Caritas Consortium 2013
Heart it Forward
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. Heart It Forward
Intent to Contribute Statement:
Embrace altruistic values and practice loving kindness with self and others is one of the 10 Caritas
Principles developed by Jean Watson. To embrace this concept, on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2013,
members of the Kaiser Vallejo Caritas Circle made rounds throughout the entire hospital, inspiring people
to practice kindness and pass it on to others, by passing out heart stickers. Staff, colleagues, patients and
family members were noticed by someone demonstrating Caritas in action with an act of kindness. They
were given a “Heart It Forward” card containing more stickers to pass on to others remembering, kindness
doesn’t cost a thing but it makes all the difference in our world.
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3. Heart It Forward
Inspired Contributor(s) 1 :
 Rebecca Taylor-Ford
 Marcella Spurgeon
 Amy Abaya
-----Service Area: Napa/ Solano
Medical Center: VAL
Affiliation: PCS
------
Year Shared: 2013
Venue: Caritas Consortium
Format: Poster, PowerPoint
ID #: W15
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Keyword TAGs:
Identifier
 Consortium2013-July, Napa
Solano, Vallejo, Podium, Poster,
Patient Care Services
 Culture
Descriptor
 Centering Moment

4. Heart It Forward
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7. "Only a moment you stayed,
but what an imprint your footprints
have left on our hearts."
-Dorothy Ferguson
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