November 5 , 2004

An evening of hope — Celebrating the Schwartz Center

Hope springs eternal. When Alexander Pope penned this phrase in the mid-18th century, he had no way of knowing how illuminating and important these words would be to those who are part of the health care community. Hope helps people face adversity, brings strength to relationships between patients and caregivers, and creates support for programs and practices that embrace compassionate health care in the medical community.

This theme of hope was the focal point of the ninth annual Kenneth B. Schwartz Center dinner, held Oct. 28 at the Westin Hotel in Boston. More than 1,200 supporters and friends gathered to celebrate the center's ongoing efforts to strengthen the relationship between patients and caregivers.

For families with children who have cancer, hope becomes one of the most important facets of their treatment plans. Oncology nurse Helen Mullen, RN, of the UMass Memorial Medical Center, brings such hope to each of the children she treats. For her extraordinary work in caring for sick children and their families, Mullen was honored with the Schwartz Center Compassionate Caregiver of the Year award, which was presented to her at the dinner. Other finalists included MGHers Rochelle Butler, LPN, of MGH Nursing; Alice Flaherty, MD, PhD, of Neurology; and Sandra McLaughlin, LICSW, and Nesli Basgoz, MD, a caregiving team in the Infectious Disease Division.
The evening culminated in a musical performance by local folksinger-songwriter Patty Larkin, above, who has written songs recorded by many artists including Holly Cole and Cher. Her most recent album, "RED=LUCK," is a self-described "meditation on hope."

Kenneth B. Schwartz was a Boston lawyer and health care advocate who devoted his life to making a difference in the Boston community and elsewhere. The Schwartz Center was established by family and friends in his memory following his death in 1995 of lung cancer at age 40.