Contact: Dr. Ron Kotler
E-mail: kotlerronald@gmail.com
Self-Compassion for Healthcare Professionals during Pandemic Urged by Medical Professor
“As the nation’s healthcare professionals strive to treat others with compassion during the
Covid pandemic, the emotional wellness of these professionals requires more than donning
personal protective equipment. The physicians, nurses, and other healthcare workers who are
caring for critically ill patients must practice self-compassion to address their own suffering,”
states Ronald Kotler, M.D., Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
Also a pulmonary-critical care specialist at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, Dr.
Kotler says, “We usually think of doctors and other healthcare professionals as the ones who are
expected to be compassionate with patients. However, the Covid19 pandemic has strained the
healthcare professionals into exhaustion. They must now use their capacity for compassion to
treat themselves with the kindness they show their patients.”
So, what can healthcare workers do to be more self-compassionate? Dr. Kotler has
several recommendations for doctors, nurses, and other health professionals: stay connected to
loved ones, exercise regularly, recognize signs of depression and have an “anchor person” to
whom you can express your feelings.
Dr. Kotler suggests that as healthcare professionals take time for self-care, they should
be less critical of themselves and learn to grow from their mistakes. “Through empathy and
Dr. Kotler suggests that as healthcare professionals take time for self-care, they should
be less critical of themselves and learn to grow from their mistakes. “Through empathy and
compassion for self as well as for others, we will emerge from this pandemic as better, stronger
and more loving humans.”
Dr. Kotler says the role of compassion is now more relevant for healthcare professionals
than ever. When asked what the public can do to show compassion for healthcare professionals
during the pandemic, Dr. Kotler replied, “They can roll up their sleeves and get a vaccine.”
About the Author
Dr. Ronald Kotler is a clinical professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania,
where he teaches pulmonary pathophysiology. He is author of Breathless—The Role of
Compassion in Critical Care, Addicus Books, 2021. (“Breathless” refers to a patient who is
having trouble breathing.) He is the coauthor of 365 Ways to Get a Good Night’s Sleep and
contributor to the New York Times best seller, 20 Years Younger. He has appeared on Good
Morning America and The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Dr. Kotler lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Jane, and enjoys spending quality time
with his three children, their spouses, and eight grandchildren. He is an avid tennis player and
enjoys all sports.
Author Available for Interviews
Dr. Kotler is available for interviews. Please contact him by e-mail at:
kotlerronald@gmail.com.
For more information about Dr. Kotler and his book, click on this link.
