Dr. Carly Kawanishi – Colorado Rotary Endowed Fellow for Pediatric Mental Health
It is with great pleasure and deep appreciation that we share this update on the Colorado Rotary Endowed Fellowship for Pediatric Mental Health at Children’s Hospital.
Through the Rotary Fellowship, Dr. Kawanishi is pursuing advanced training with the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion to become a certified instructor in the Mindful Self-Compassion curriculum. This evidence-based approach encourages individuals to extend the same kindness and understanding to themselves that they would offer to a loved one facing adversity. Cultivating self-compassion has been shown to build resilience, reduce burnout, and mitigate the effects of self-critical thinking. Dr. Kawanishi aims to bring these tools to young patients as part of therapeutic care, with long-term aspirations to incorporate this work into preventative psychiatry initiatives.
During her training at Children’s Hospital Colorado, Dr. Kawanishi is expected to conduct approximately 1,500 patient visits annually bringing care, hope, and healing to children and families navigating mental health challenges.
We are inspired by her work and look forward to following her journey.
Thank you to the District 5450 clubs and individual Rotarians whose generosity and commitment have made this impactful initiative possible. The enduring impact of this endowment will be felt by countless Colorado children and their families through expanded access to critical mental health care.
With gratitude,
Co-Chairs: Shrin Murthy, Debby Doig, and Tamara Fennell
Highlands Ranch Pediatric Mental Health Committee