Compassion Cultivation in Health Care – El Rio Health #01 – 04/24/26
English
Compassion Cultivation in Health Care (CCHC) is modified from the original 16-hour Compassion Cultivation Training©, which is designed to cultivate the inherent quality of compassion that all humans possess. When we cultivate compassion, it becomes the default stance from which we live and respond in daily life. This modification includes shorter classes and content specific to those in the health field. This workshop includes didactic teaching, pair/group exercises, short contemplative practices, and practical on-the-spot practices.
What does Compassion Cultivation in Health Care (CCHC) look like?
CCHC is an 8-module course, including:
- Limited didactics, discussions, and interactive exercises
- Meditation practices
- Practical skills and application for health care professionals
The 8-session CCHC journey
Session 1, Building Awareness: Understanding mindfulness and cultivating awareness
Session 2, Empathy: Understanding the difference between empathy and compassion
Session 3, Self-Compassion: Including yourself in the circle of compassion
Session 4, Reconnecting with Our Values: Identifying our values, self-appreciation, and practicing gratitude
Session 5, Common Humanity: Cultivating a feeling of connection with others; appreciating the contribution of others to our lives
Session 6, When Compassion Gets Hard: Recognizing what blocks compassion to widen our circle of compassion
Session 7, Active Compassion: Making your compassion more embodied and active
Session 8, Sustainable Compassion: Integrating compassion in one’s life, sustainably
This course will specifically focus on cultivating compassion for providers and staff in the health field, including addressing barriers and enablers in our current environment. The class time will allow for discussion of issues specific to working in health amongst a group of peers.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
- Describe the basic components of mindful awareness
- Describe the key components of compassion
- Apply the practice of setting intentions
- Describe the difference between empathy and compassion
- Describe the importance of self-compassion
- Apply learned compassion skills in everyday and professional life
- Describe the key components of common humanity
- Describe how to establish a daily practice
Our group will meet in-person on April 24, 2026, from 8am-5pm MST. Please note that all 8 sessions will be covered during this day-long workshop.
We will be holding an optional post-course check-in for alumni of this cohort on Friday, June 5th, 2026, 8am Arizona Time (no extra cost).
Shireen Mansouri
She completed her medical degree at Queen’s University in Ontario Canada, and then obtained her training in Family Medicine in Newfoundland Canada. She also has training in emergency medicine and obstetrical ultrasound. Over her career she has provided full spectrum family practice including obstetrical care and remote medicine, and has worked in both Canada and the US. She currently lives in Calgary Alberta and continues to work as a GP Oncologist and family physician in Yellowknife NWT Canada. In her spare time she enjoys cooking and being out in nature with her husband.
Debora Gama Lima
Dr. Debora Gama Lima is a former practicing minimally invasive general surgeon who is now an executive coach, certified civil and divorce mediator, certified Compassion Cultivation Training teacher and Compassion Institute teacher training alumni coach. She is a proctor for mediation skills at the ASU Law School and works with the City of Scottsdale and the Maricopa County Justice Court in dispute resolution. She is also a qualified Hearing Officer through the State Attorney General’s Office. She aspires to draw on her medical and legal background to instill compassion into her professional and personal interactions.