K. J. Lee, MD, Founder of The Patient Is U [TPIU] Public Charity, Received the 2023 National Compassionate Caregivers of the Year Award Honorable Mention by the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare

ESSEX, CT – November 11, 2023 — The Patient is U Foundation [TPIU], a non-profit 501(c) (3) Public Charity dedicated to improve the relationship between healthcare providers and patients, leading to better quality of care and decreasing healthcare costs, announced today, that its founder, K. J. Lee, MD, has been awarded the 2023 National Compassionate Caregivers of the Year® Award Honorable Mention by the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare. The award, bestowed upon health care professionals who make a profound difference through their unmatched dedication to compassionate care, is given annually by The Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare. “We are deeply honored and privileged to learn of the wonderful work you do to put compassion at the heart of healthcare. The many inspiring nominations we received remind us that compassionate care is thriving because of caregivers like you who put empathy and compassion into caring for patients, families, and colleagues,” stated Elizabeth Hickman, Chief Operating Officer and Interim CEO, SCCH. “We congratulate you on your well-deserved nomination and welcome you to the distinguished group of caregivers nominated for this award. Thank you for all you do to help create a world where all who seek and provide care experience
compassion,” Hickman added. “I am honored to receive this prestigious award nomination, which I share with my team, colleagues and in particular with those who most inspire me to stay focused on my mission to bring compassion to healthcare – the patients and their families,” said Dr. KJ Lee. “At TPIU we are firm believers and strong advocates that compassionate care produces three key meaningful results: improves patient outcomes and satisfaction, decrease healthcare costs and reduce workplace burnout.” In 2016, research conducted by Dr. Lee and his medical team showed that most healthcare providers offered good outcomes. However, only a few showed compassion while delivering good results. The key research finding was that compassion improves patient outcomes and reduces healthcare costs, increasing happiness and satisfaction for both patients and providers. Dr. Lee believes patients and their families deserve good outcomes rendered with great compassion and thus decided to create TPIU.

About The Patient Is U
Founded in 2017 by KJ Lee, MD, The Patient is U Foundation [TPIU] is a Connecticut- based 501 (c)(3) public charity dedicated to improve the level of compassionate care in the healthcare system, empower caregivers and patients to expect compassionate care and support, and improve the patient experience. For more information visit
www.TPIU.org