Matt Herndon joined the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare as its CEO in September 2018.

An attorney with deep roots in the healthcare industry, Matt brings more than two decades of successful strategic organizational growth and leadership to his  role. Most recently at Boston Medical Center HeathNet Plan, where he was Chief Legal Officer & Vice President of Government Affairs, Matt was responsible for the organization’s Legal and Compliance, Government and Public Affairs, Public Partnerships, and Human Resources departments. During his tenure, he oversaw the launch of several new product lines focusing on subsidized populations and seniors as well as workforce engagement initiatives.

Prior to that, Matt held leadership positions at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and in the Office of Massachusetts Senate Counsel.

Matt focuses on strengthening and extending Schwartz Center programs, including our signature program, Schwartz Rounds^®, while also working to develop a new strategic framework that will advance our reach in supporting healthcare providers in their efforts around compassionate care.

Matt received his J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law and his A.B. from Bowdoin College. A longtime resident of Massachusetts, Matt lives on the South Shore with his family.

Since joining the Schwartz Center in 2007, Elizabeth has held a number of positions in development, communications and programming. She is responsible for leading the organization’s strategy, managing the day-to-day operations, and developing new programs and services to meet the needs of our growing membership. In addition, she oversees all corporate and strategic partnerships.

Prior to joining the Schwartz Center, Elizabeth managed large-scale fundraising initiatives for clients including the Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day and the LIVESTRONG Challenge in 19 cities across the country.

Elizabeth received her bachelor’s degree in communications from Merrimack College and an executive education certificate in nonprofit management from Harvard Business School.

Beth Lown has been interested in empathy, compassion, collaboration and relational and communication skills since beginning medical school four decades ago. This interest has deepened over her many years of clinical practice, and as a health professional educator and researcher. She has been an active participant in many national organizations dedicated to improving these attributes and skills.

She is the chief medical officer of the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the relationships among patients, families and clinicians and advancing compassionate health care. In this role she develops and implements programs, curricula and research. She speaks locally, nationally and internationally about empathy, compassion and communication, and teaches these attributes and skills to health professionals across the continuum of learning.

She has also served as president and board member of the American Academy on Communication in Healthcare. This service included organizing collaborative relationships and conferences with the European Academy on Communication in Healthcare. She has served on several test materials development and standard setting committees, task forces and consulting teams for Clinical/Communication Skills for the National Board of Medical Examiners and the United States Medical Licensing Examination (Step 2 of the USMLE).

Dr. Lown is associate professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA and director of Faculty Development at Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA. She has co-led several fellowships in medical education for faculty within the Harvard Medical School system, and is the director of the only longitudinal interprofessional fellowship in health professional education in the Harvard Medical School system.

Stephanie oversees the Schwartz Center’s training programs and educational initiatives, including all aspects of the Schwartz Rounds program. She is a writer and communications professional by training, and has worked in partnership with a range of organizations to improve employee communications practices and refine organizational messaging.

A graduate of the Program in Narrative Medicine at Columbia University, Stephanie has spoken at a number of conferences about relationships of care. She also teaches Narrative Medicine workshops for medical students and chaplains at NYU Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY, and has worked with patient, student and caregiver groups at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Maimonides Medical Center and Isabella Geriatric Center. In addition to her MS in narrative medicine from Columbia, Stephanie holds a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University.

Stephanie, her husband and two children enjoy watching the seasons change in Prospect Park, clamming on Cape Cod and hunting down great bookshops wherever they go.

Michele is responsible for providing executive level assistance to the Schwartz Center executive team; acting as the liaison to the Board of Directors. In addition, Michele provides general office management and support to her colleagues at the Schwartz Center.

Prior to joining the Schwartz Center in 2017 Michele was the Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Performance Excellence, Quality and Patient Relations at South Shore Hospital for over a decade. Michele also served as the senior staff liaison to South Shore Hospital’s Patient and Family Advisory Council.

Michele is a graduate of Curry College, Milton MA, where she earned a bachelor degree in Business Management / Administration with a minor in Human Resources Management.

Sheri is responsible for the management of the Schwartz Center membership and member programs including the operations of program activities, member communications and special projects.

Prior to joining the Schwartz Center in 2013, Sheri managed and coordinated volunteers and assisted in the growth and enhancement of volunteer programs and initiatives at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. She also served as the marketing director for the Anaheim Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau in California. In addition to her work at the Schwartz Center, Sheri has volunteered with the New England Center for Homeless Veterans, Project Sunshine at Spaulding Rehab Hospital in Charlestown, and served on the Communications Committee and Analytics Team for the American Marketing Association’s Boston Chapter.

Sheri is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Lisa has the privilege of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors to the Schwartz Center, as well as managing all aspects of the Schwartz Center’s fundraising efforts with local and national foundations. Prior to joining the Schwartz Center in 2013, she worked in a similar capacity for eight years at The Home for Little Wanderers in Boston. Lisa has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Middlebury College and a graduate certificate in publishing and communications from the Harvard University Extension School. Lisa and her family live in the Boston area.

Jennifer joined the Schwartz Center in 2018 as a member of the development team. In 2020, she transitioned to our membership team where she currently manages our membership and events data.

Prior to joining the Schwartz Center, Jen worked at Brown Brothers Harriman she served as an operations specialist on the data control team for the securities lending services department.

Jen is a graduate of Brandeis University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Health: Science, Society and Policy with a minor in French and Francophone studies.

Michael J. Goldberg, MD, is the Scholar in Residence at The Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare.

He is also a member of the Skeletal Health Program at Seattle Children’s Hospital, Vice-Chair of the Division of Pediatric Orthopaedics, and Clinical Professor of Orthopaedics at the University Of Washington School Of Medicine in Seattle.

Dr. Goldberg’s major clinical interests are in the diagnosis and management of children with syndromes, complex birth defects, and skeletal dysplasias; and measuring the outcomes and functional performance of children undergoing orthopaedic treatments. He is a past president of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America; has held leadership positions in the American Academy of Pediatrics, and has been recognized with honorary memberships in the pediatric orthopaedic societies of Brazil and Italy (the first American to receive such an honor).

The majority of his professional career was spent in Boston where he was the Henry H. Banks Distinguished Professor of Orthopaedics; and currently Professor Emeritus at Tufts University School of Medicine; as well as past-Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedics at Tufts Medical Center.

Dr. Goldberg has lectured widely both nationally and internationally; authored more than 70 peer reviewed scientific articles, and the single author textbook: The Dysmorphic Child: An Orthopaedic Perspective.   He has participated in the development of outcomes instruments, performance measures, evidence based guidelines and quality initiatives for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America; the American Medical Society, the American Academy of Pediatrics and government agencies with the goal to answer the questions “Are we helping? and How do we know?”

He served on the ACGME Residency Review Committee for Orthopaedic Surgery and as chair of the AAOS Evidence Based Practice Committee and the AAOS Guideline Oversight Committee. He is a team member of initiatives designed to reduce medical errors, improve workforce well-being, promote young faculty research, and create a culture of compassion at Seattle Children’s Hospital. He is the facilitator for Schwartz Rounds at Seattle Children’s.

Dr. Goldberg has served as a member and chair of the Board of Directors of The Home for Little Wanderers in Boston, the oldest and one of the largest child welfare agencies in the United States, and also served on the Board of Directors of Camp Korey in Mount Vernon, Washington, a camp for children with life altering medical conditions.

Jody Johnson joined the Schwartz Center in 2019, working with lead donors and volunteers. She is enthusiastic about healthcare and this committed team of professionals and donors who bring these programs to fruition.

Most recently, Jody served as the Director of Development at Shore Country Day School in Beverly, MA, overseeing the annual and capital fund raising efforts, including the successful conclusion and celebration of the $20 million campaign. Prior to her work at Shore, Jody served in leadership and campaign roles, partnering with institutional leadership and Trustees at The Governor’s Academy, Bucknell University, Phillips Academy and Middlesex School. Her experience includes designing strategy and securing major and principal gifts, managing teams, programs and events, and identifying new leaders. Jody began her career at Harvard College Fund and Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences. She has served as a volunteer for the Pan Mass Challenge, the Posse Foundation and for her alma mater, Bucknell University. Jody resides with her family on the North Shore.

Casey Kudesia is based in Boston, Massachusetts, and is excited to work with healthcare organizations to lead Schwartz Rounds. Casey comes to the Schwartz Center with a background in education, training and organizational leadership.

She started her career as a middle school science teacher in Los Angeles with Teach for America, where she also finished her Master’s in Education at Loyola Marymount University. After returning home to Boston and teaching high school science at an alternative high school, Casey transitioned to staff training and organizational development at Planned Parenthood. She has over a decade of experience partnering with care providers and leadership to improve the patient and employee experience.

Casey holds a certificate in Organizational Leadership, and she believes that when compassion is a fundamental value of leadership and care providers, patients and employees will all thrive.

Clara maintains donor information across several platforms at the Schwartz Center in order to support fundraising and communication.

Before starting at the Schwartz Center in September 2018, Clara worked as part of the data team at Project Bread – The Walk for Hunger. She began her nonprofit career through the co-op program at Northeastern University, during which time she worked at Rosie’s Place and Strong Women, Strong Girls. At N.U. she earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in International Affairs.

In her free time Clara enjoys dancing blues, west coast swing, lindy hop, contra, waltz, salsa, bachata, and fusion at different venues in and around Boston.

Christina is responsible for coordinating the Schwartz Center’s donor communications strategy and development team operations.

Prior to joining the Schwartz Center in 2011, she served as a professional development coordinator at the Boston law firm of Mintz Levin and as a professional networks assistant at Combined Jewish Philanthropies.

Christina has a bachelor’s degree in communication from Boston College.

Ratthana joined our team as a Senior Accounting Analyst in 2017. Ratthana is responsible for all the accounting for the Schwartz Center, including preparing the financial statements, account analysis and reconciliations, accounts payable and special projects.

Prior to joining the Schwartz Center, Ratthana worked at Barings as an Associate Director in the Internal Accounting department and Corporate Accountant at Boston Capital.

Ratthana graduated from Newbury College, Brookline, MA, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. In her free time, Ratthana enjoys spending time with friends and family, being active and going out to eat.

Melissa joined the Schwartz Center in 2018 and is responsible for implementing all Schwartz Center events and managing event related corporate fundraising. She also manages the Schwartz Center’s internship program and social media presence.

Prior to joining the Schwartz Center, Melissa worked at One Mission, a pediatric cancer foundation and served in various development roles there for six years. In addition to her work at the Schwartz Center, Melissa has volunteered with the Ronald McDonald House at Boston Harbor and served as a co-chair of the Red Shoe Society, their young professionals board.

Melissa is a graduate of Endicott College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management.  In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading and yoga. Melissa and her husband reside in the Boston area.

Based in California, Kathy trains and orients new Schwartz Center members, provides program support to current members, and conducts outreach in the Western Region. She has long recognized and is passionate about the importance of compassion in health care.

In the early years of her career, Kathy acquired a thorough knowledge in oncology and medical nursing. With the strength of this clinical focus, she made a natural move into home health nursing and patient care coordination, eventually becoming the director of a hospital-based home health agency.

Kathy spent 14 years as a senior sales executive with Per-Se Technologies/ATWORK Corporation, the standard in resource management software for many years. Her education, nursing background and health care business acumen helped her earn top producer recognition.

Prior to moving back to her nursing roots, Kathy worked for the Cerner Corporation, initially selling, then supporting the Cerner Clairvia clinically-driven workforce management and patient flow applications. With a desire to improve patient care, Kathy joined Press Ganey Associates as a patient experience advisor collaborating with client organizations to positively impact the patient experience and achieve sustainable results.

After attending the University of California, Davis, Kathy graduated from San Francisco State University with a bachelor of science degree in nursing and holds a public health nursing certificate. She is a member of The Greater San Francisco Chapter of the Association of California Nurse Leaders.

Kathy lives with her husband and their Alaskan Malamute dog, working from her Truckee home office in the Sierra Nevada mountains. She is a supporter of the Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center, Soroptimist International of Truckee Donner, Sierra Senior Services and the Humane Society of Truckee Tahoe.

Laurie manages the oversight and integration of all the Schwartz Center’s database platforms, making sure that all departments have access to accurate information to support our work. Formerly, she managed our donor information systems.

Before joining the Schwartz Center, Laurie created print and online public health publications at New England SERVE and the Massachusetts Consortium for Children with Special Health Care Needs, coordinated communications at the Women’s Educational and Industrial Union (now the Crittenton Women’s Union), and taught English in corporate Japan.

Laurie has a bachelor’s degree in English and linguistics from Binghamton University, and completed master’s-level coursework in writing and publishing at Emerson College.

Peter joins us from Partners Healthcare Finance where he has held several key finance positions over the past 9 years. Most recently, he served as an accounting manager, overseeing accounting and financial reporting for Newton Wellesley Hospital & North Shore Medical Center.

Prior to that, and for the majority of his tenure at Partners, he held the position of senior accounting analyst on the General Hospital Team preparing the MGH financial statements with its very challenging and complex financial structure.

Peter brings a wealth of practical experience in healthcare accounting and financial reporting and is truly an asset to the team. Peter holds a master’s degree in accountancy from Bentley University.