Belonging in Healthcare
Recently, I had the privilege of facilitating Schwartz Rounds at a nearby hospital on the theme of Belonging in Healthcare. For those unfamiliar, Schwartz Rounds are multidisciplinary forums designed for healthcare staff to explore the emotional and social dimensions of patient care through storytelling and reflection. They provide a rare space in medicine that prioritizes connection over productivity, compassion over checklists, and humanity over hierarchy.
The group included physicians, administrators, chaplains, social workers, nurses, educators, and other staff who all touch the patient experience in different ways. I began by sharing the distinction between inclusion and belonging. As Kim Dabbs writes in You Belong Here: inclusion is being invited to sit at the table, but belonging is building a new table together. Belonging is when you feel seen, valued, and accepted as your authentic self—not just tolerated, but truly welcomed.
And yet, if we’re honest, very few of us in healthcare today feel that kind of belonging. Instead, loneliness and disconnection are on the rise:
Administrators siloed in the C-suite.
Physicians tethered to their computer screens.
Nurses stretched to exhaustion.
Support staff feeling invisible.
We’ve drifted from the spirit of team-based care, where every contribution mattered. I’m reminded of a hospital housekeeper who once described his job as “saving lives”—because his meticulous cleaning prevented infections. That was belonging.
During the session, I invited participants to reflect on belonging in three dimensions: their own personal experiences, the culture of their teams, and how patients themselves feel as they move through the healthcare system. The hunger for connection in the room was palpable. What became clear was this: to foster belonging for others, we must first understand what belonging feels like for ourselves.
Too often, we’re invited to a table that’s already been set—with rigid hierarchies, rituals, and unspoken rules. I challenged the group to imagine how they could shift that dynamic. Their responses were inspiring:
Approach each other with curiosity, not judgment.
Ask for help rather than trying to shoulder everything alone.
Check in with colleagues—and truly listen to the answer.
Take risks by being vulnerable and admitting we don’t always have it together.
Celebrate even the smallest wins.
Listen more deeply and speak less often.
Create informal opportunities to connect—share a meal, laugh together, build trust.
Co-create team norms so every voice has a place.
By the end of the evening, the room felt transformed. Physicians were swapping stories with referral coordinators. Nurses and administrators were laughing together. IT specialists were being thanked by radiology techs for their compassion as patients. For a moment, the silos dissolved, and what remained was community.
This is the kind of healthcare culture I long to belong to—one where every role is honored, and every person’s gifts are recognized. And it’s possible, if we’re willing to build it together.
So I leave you with these questions:
What kind of medical community do you belong to right now?
Where do you feel most seen and valued?
And what small step could you take this week to extend belonging—to yourself, and to those around you?
I'd love to hear from you. Simply reply to this email.
Be kind to yourself.
Dr. Joe
Pediatrician, Physician Professional Development Coach, Retreat Facilitator
Whether you are facing uncertainty, burnout, seeking direction, or striving for greater fulfillment in your career, know that support is available. If you or someone you know could benefit from coaching, I invite you to reach out. Together, we can explore how to transform challenges into opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Just contact me at joe@joeshermanmd.com or schedule a free video consultation.