May 21, 1999

Nominations now are being accepted for the first annual Compassionate Caregiver of the Year Award, presented by the Kenneth B. Schwartz Center to honor caregivers who display extraordinary compassion in caring for patients.

Any professional caregiver who has direct contact with patients in any setting where patients receive care in Massachusetts is eligible for the award, which will be presented at the center’s annual dinner in October, along with a $5,000 prize. A 21-member statewide selection committee — comprised of physicians, nurses, social workers, hospital chaplains, community health workers, patient advocates and consumers — will review the nominations and select the recipient(s).

Established in 1995 in memory of health care attorney and MGH patient Ken Schwartz, the Schwartz Center is dedicated to supporting and advancing compassionate health care and strengthening the relationship between patients and caregivers.

Requests for information and nomination forms can be sent by mail to the Schwartz Center at 100 Charles River Plaza, Suite 600; by fax at 6-7661 or by calling 4-6416. Nominations are due June 21.