Focus on Staff

Optimum patient care begins with medical and support staff who enjoy an excellent quality of life in the workplace. This is the visionary philosophy of The Prince Charitable Trusts, the foundation that provided initial and ongoing support for Arts and Humanities.

To establish the staff morale program, the first step was identifying challenges faced by Lombardi staff. Oncologists suffer high rates of burnout according to research studies. Emotionally demanding work with people with cancer can be tempered by offering avenues of self expression: painting, dance, writing, music, provide moments of creativity, self expression and emotional release. Even though the workday is full, time can be made at lunch, or meetings can be devoted to effective coping strategies that keep staff working at peak performance while minimizing stress.

Brief respites created with a soothing piano performance, a lesson in working with clay, or a drop in stretch movement with music session not only energizes staff, but reminds them that creative pursuits at home and at work really do contribute to an improved sense of well being, and that says the Prince family, ensures that patients are benefiting from highly qualified professionals who are also happy and content.

In the 14 years of staff morale programs at Lombardi, we see the difference, in attitude, outlook, and an enhanced sense of community.

  • Three people
    Artist Harriet Weiner teaches caregivers wire art during a Georgetown Lombardi Caregivers Luncheon
  • People stretching
    Movement artist Keira Hart-Mendoza leads a relaxing stretch break for caregivers
  • People working at a table
    A Georgetown Lombardi Medical Assistant leads her colleagues in an origami art project
  • A woman painting
    A MedStar Georgetown nurse paints to relieve stress
  • People stretching
    Food Services employees participate in a stretch break
  • People doing yoga in a hallway
    Yoga for caregivers led by movement artist Ilana Silverstein and Keira Hart-Mendoza
  • People stretching
    MedStar Georgetown doctors, nurses and caregivers gather to participate in a midday stretch break
  • People stretching
    Staff from the Concentrated Care Center pose with movement artist Ilana Silverstein
  • Two women doing art
    The ENT and General Surgery Unit nurses participate in a fabric art project with artist Lauren Kingsland
  • People sitting at a table
    Mixed media artist Michelle Berberet leads a workshop with the caregivers from the MedStar Orthopaedic Institute
  • Two women
    Vocal artist Tamara Wellons visits patient floors to sing for nurses, caregivers and patients.