Plan for a season. Stay a Lifetime.
Published June 9, 2023
Amy Veneciano shares how she re-evaluated and reset Volunteer Services at UCSF as the waves of COVID-19 subsided. During the long pause in using volunteer services, she describes the pandemic’s silver lining as an opportunity to reflect on what to do differently to make a difference to patients, staff, and the volunteers themselves. Learn how streamlining processes, educating staff and recognizing the achievements of volunteers play into recruiting – and keeping – a dedicated and happy volunteer workforce.
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Patient Family & Community Engagement | Quality & Clinical Excellence | Staff & Provider Engagement
Compassion Rounds: Connecting with Patients and Families Beyond a Diagnosis
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During a hospitalization, medical rounds address the patient’s physical needs but often fall short of addressing emotional and spiritual needs. Compassion rounds is an innovative program that focuses on a patient’s mind, body and spirit. It assists families in finding hope, strength, and peace. The goal is to empower patients and families to learn new
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Physician Empathy: Improving Patient Experience through Listening and Understanding
Published December 22, 2025

By Jackie-Meyers Thompson Question: “Doctor, my back is hurting. It started about two weeks ago and hasn’t let up. Do you know what could be causing this?” Answer: “You know you’re overweight don’t you? That could cause the back pain you’re complaining about” This patient portal exchange certainly leaves a lot to be desired when
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Transforming Healthcare Experience for Deaf Persons: Four Examples Why In-Person Interpreters are Essential
Published July 23, 2025
This Learning Bite explores the critical importance of in-person interpreters over Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) for Deaf individuals in healthcare settings. Through four real-world examples, Chelsea Elertson demonstrates how live interpreters can provide essential accommodations as a Deaf person that technology-based solutions could not reliably deliver.
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