Providence Institute for Human Caring
Providence Health & Services established the Providence Institute for Human Caring and attracted national expert and advocate, Dr. Ira Byock, to lead its formation. The institute represents a major commitment by Providence to accelerate value-based and whole-person health care for frail elders, seriously ill or otherwise vulnerable patients and their families.
Praise from colleagues
Terry Tempest Williams
Author of “Refuge”
Having traveled this landscape with loved ones, taking care of individuals at the end of their life is both a privilege and a tremendous challenge, both physically and spiritually. We need a map. Ira Byock has created a map of compassionate intelligence for palliative care with grace. Through the power of story and his own intuitive sense of what dignity means to the dying, this is more than a manual, it is a godsend. It is also a call for health care with heart, conscience, and consequence.
BJ Miller, MD
Senior advisor to the Zen Hospice Project
This book is more relevant than ever. The country has been primed by more attention being paid to how we die, and at the same time to the ills of our healthcare system. Ira shows us how much better things could be. Not with exotic knowledge or more information, but by doing what we already know how to do. Given the nature of the subject, that means that Ira’s counsel has the power to affect every single one of us. Thrilling and daunting too, I realize, but far better than the alternative! And, thanks to Ira, we have a playbook.
Roshi Joan Halifax
Author, Abbot, Upaya Zen Center, Sante Fe, author of “Being with Dying”
This is an extraordinary and wise book on how dying people can be cared for. Written by a master clinician, a man of great compassion, Ira Byock has a vision of health care that is brilliant and kind.
Recent articles and op-eds
Recent videos
From Scratch - A Discussion on Loss with Dr. Ira Byock and Tembi Locke
The Institute for Human Caring, May 15, 2022
Dr. Ira Byock in conversation with Tembi Locke, actress and author, about Sicily and pesto, life and loss.
Winner of the Bronze Telly Award for 2022.
Caring Well through the End of Life - Lessons from the Pandemic
The Institute for Human Caring, April 14, 2022
Drs. Ira Byock and Matthew Gonzales deliver a presentation on how the Institute for Human Caring made healthcare more personal during the COVID pandemic.
A Conversation about Covid-19 and Life with Dr. Ira Byock
The Salome Institute of Jungian, April 16, 2020In this conversation with Palliative Care pioneer and author, Dr. Ira Byock, we learn about the value of mortality and what we can do in this global health crisis to deepen our relationships and take care of some logistical loose ends. He is joined in conversation by his daughter, Salome Institute director, Satya Doyle Byock April 16th, 2020