Letter from Linda
Linda von Reyn, PhD, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, center, walks with D-H nurses Ania Kosinska, RN, left, and Rachel Kenyon, RN, right.
Dear friends and colleagues:
Social scientists at the University of California, Berkeley have built a compelling case for "survival of the kindest." The Berkeley researchers have challenged long held beliefs that humans are wired to be selfish and have instead embarked on a series of research studies that are building a growing body of evidence that we are evolving to become more compassionate and collaborative in our approach to each other. They have built a case that we are successful as a species precisely because of our nurturing, altruistic, and compassionate traits. Whereas most studies of positive psychology are focused on personal fulfillment and happiness, the Berkeley scientists have narrowed their investigations into how it contributes to the greater societal good in the form of human compassion.
The activities highlighted within the 2010 Nursing Annual Report demonstrate the creativity and commitment of our D-H nursing community. More importantly however, each of the stories and themes presented within the Annual Report underscore this important element—human compassion. Compassion is defined as a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. This intention to alleviate suffering is evident as D-H nurses practice daily to mitigate or prevent anguish and distress for our patients and families. This intention not only benefits our Dartmouth-Hitchcock community but reaches across the nation and across the world.
In February 2008 Karen Armstrong, a well known writer, won the TED Prize (Technology, Entertainment, Design) The TED Prize is designed to leverage the TED Community's exceptional array of talent and resources. It is awarded annually to three exceptional individuals who each receive $100,000 from the Fetzer Institute and, much more important, the granting of "One Wish to Change the World." Karen wished for help in creating, launching and propagating the Charter for Compassion. The first paragraph of the charter includes the following passage:
"Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there, and to honour the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect."
The final phrase of this passage—"with absolute justice, equity, and respect" perfectly describes the perspective that Dartmouth-Hitchcock nurses demonstrate toward patients and families here and around the world. Read and share our 2010 Nursing Annual Report with pride—you are truly inspiring.
Thank you.
Linda von Reyn, PhD, RN
Chief Nursing Officer
