Teacher
Natalia Sarro taught Compassion Cultivation Training to Women in Healthcare Professionals in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Community Impacted
The 31 participants included doctors, residents, medical students, therapists, nurses, and palliative care workers at Hospital Dr. Alberto Balestrini, a public hospital serving underserved populations in suburban Buenos Aires—women who face extreme demands in their daily work including:
- Time pressure and work overload in a public healthcare system
- Exposure to high levels of suffering and emotional distress
- Empathic fatigue and burnout due to constant patient care
- Limited work-life balance and self-care practices
Why compassion is relevant
Healthcare professionals dedicate their lives to caring for others but often struggle with self-compassion. Studies show that high levels of stress, emotional exhaustion, and burnout reduce their ability to provide compassionate care to patients. By learning compassion-based practices, healthcare workers can:
- Develop emotional resilience and prevent burnout
- Enhance patient relationships by fostering deeper empathy
- Strengthen workplace well-being by creating a more supportive professional environment
- Improve their own mental health, leading to better decision-making and overall well-being
This program provided practical tools for managing stress, reducing emotional fatigue, and creating a sustainable culture of self-care and compassion in the healthcare sector to manage stress, prevent burnout, and foster more compassionate patient care.
Motivation to serve this community
Natalia’s motivation for offering this program was deeply personal. Many of her past CCT participants have been women working in healthcare, and she recognized the urgent need to democratize access to these resources for professionals serving underserved communities in Argentina.
This initiative was also a way to honor Dr. Silvia Hojenberg, a physician from Hospital Dr. Balestrini who saved Natalia’s father’s life after a domestic accident. Dr. Hojenberg had previously attended a CCT course and became an advocate for its benefits. Inspired by her dedication, Natalia collaborated with her to bring this training to a new cohort of hospital professionals.
How were they impacted
Participants reported significant personal and professional transformations throughout the course:
- Enhanced emotional resilience – They learned strategies to cope with work-related stress and emotional exhaustion.
- Increased self-awareness – Many became more conscious of their inner dialogue and replaced self-criticism with self-kindness.
- Stronger patient relationships – Several participants noticed a positive shift in their interactions with patients, feeling more present and compassionate.
- A more supportive workplace environment – The group dynamic fostered greater connection and mutual support, strengthening team cohesion.
- Personal healing and transformation – Many shared that CCT helped them not only professionally but also in their personal lives, relationships, and self-care practices.
Testimonials
- “This course allowed me to understand people on a deeper level, both in my personal and professional life. I now feel more inclined to listen to others and see the world with more compassion. Meditation was challenging at first, but over time, it became an essential part of my practice. Natalia was an incredible guide, and I am deeply grateful for this experience.” – Mariela Segurotti, Biochemist
- “I valued being able to connect with my colleagues from a place of equality. Seeing each other through a new lens and recognizing our shared humanity was transformative.” – Laura Celeste Caponi, Sociologist
- “Before this program, I was overwhelmed by the suffering I encountered daily. Now, I have tools to navigate my emotions with greater ease and compassion. This course should be available for all healthcare professionals.”