Cardinal Hospice: Compassion

When we began developing our philosophy around Compassion, one word kept rising to the surface, empathy.  That’s why we believe true compassion must be empathetic compassion.

Although many people use empathy and compassion interchangeably, they are distinct. Empathy is the ability to feel what another person is experiencing. Compassion is the desire to help relieve that suffering.  At Cardinal Hospice, compassion means recognizing and responding to pain, distress, and emotional suffering, not just with clinical care, but with respect, empathy, and individualized support.

What does compassion look like in practice with Cardinal Hospice?

Compassion is listening.  It means giving patients and their loved ones our full attention, creating space for them to express their pain, fears, and frustrations without interruption.

Compassion is acknowledging.  We strive to understand what each person is feeling and to validate those emotions. Grief, fear, and uncertainty are all normal parts of the journey.

Compassion is personalizing care.  No two journeys are the same. We walk each path with intention, tailoring our care to each patient’s unique needs and circumstances.

Compassion is respecting wishes.  Beliefs, values, and worldviews may differ from our own. We honor each individual’s preferences with dignity and without judgment.

Compassion is empathizing.  We aim to see through their eyes, feel with their heart, and walk beside them.  Not to fix, but to feel. Because empathy is the heartbeat of compassionate care.

 At Cardinal, compassion is not just part of what we do, it is the essence of how we care.