The Schwartz Rounds® Program

The Schwartz Rounds^® Program is a program Mercy implemented to provide a safe, structured space where our caregivers can come together and talk about the social and emotional aspects of their work. Each session focuses on a shared topic, and caregivers from different roles and disciplines are invited to listen and share perspectives. 

We created Schwartz Rounds to ensure our caregivers have a safe space where they can work through some of the emotional weight tied to their jobs. The goal of the program is to reduce burnout, encourage productive conversation, and create a sense of community. 

We’ve seen Schwartz Rounds help people move from unproductive or isolating narratives to healthier, more constructive ones. They build empathy, perspective, and resilience. 

By designing a repeatable space for productive conversation, Mercy is investing in resilience, empathy and community — the exact ingredients that sustain performance when the work is difficult and the stakes are high. 

The broader leadership lesson is that hard topics do not disappear when leaders avoid them; they simply show up elsewhere as turnover, conflict, disengagement, mistakes and “quiet quitting.” Organizations that create structured, psychologically safe ways to talk about stressors and values shift people from unproductive narratives (“I’m alone in this,” “No one cares,” “It’s us vs. them”) to constructive ones grounded in shared purpose and mutual understanding. That improves collaboration and decision-making, reduces friction between teams and equips managers to address issues earlier — before they become crises.  

In business terms, leading productive conversations is culture management and risk management at the same time: it protects your people, strengthens accountability, and ultimately improves outcomes for customers, clients and the bottom line.