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Rachel Schwartz

@rschwartz319.bsky.social
639 followers 503 following 46 posts

Palliative Care Social Worker | Shenandoah Valley, VA | LCSW, APHSW-C | #hapc | 🏳️‍🌈

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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Awesome way to put those Medicare “rebate” checks to good use! #bethmacyforcongress #SNAP
Screenshot of a FB post from John Copenhaver that reads:

“We received our $90 Medicare checks yesterday and a letter from Trump touting all he has done for healthcare in America. “Politicizing Medicare by sending checks right before an election is shameful,” said Richard Fiesta, executive director at Alliance for Retired Americans. “Seniors can see through this hollow ploy.” 

We have split these payments two ways. Half was sent to Beth Macy’s congressional campaign because she will work to end the president’s self-dealing and corruption. The other half was sent to the Blue Ridge Food Bank to help all those who have lost SNAP benefits under Trump.  
#bethmacyforcongress”
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Matt Royer 🤘🏼 @mattroyer.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Mitch McConnell was out three months. He was paid for every day of it. A worker in Kentucky with the same fall gets whatever their boss feels like giving them, because this country guarantees zero paid sick days and McConnell never let a bill changing that reach the floor.
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
I appreciate all of the additions to Trump’s “Iran War Participation Trophy” on the National Mall. “As the recipient of this prestigious award, President Trump joins the ranks of children everywhere who received recognition for simply showing up.”
Trump’s “Iran War Participation Trophy” on the National Mall, along with many additions of smaller similar trophies.
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
That’s wonderful, Tom! Congratulations!
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Thankful for this bit of good news!
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Emily L. Hauser (she/her) ❌👑 @emilylhauser.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
VIRGINIA 6th Congressional District Ben Cline has never had your back. I can't vote for Beth Macy, but I sure hope you do.
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George Wallace @mrgeorgewallace.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
To my Pride folks. You are loved. There ain't no other you. You are so fierce you got these wockaflockas shook and whatnot. Go on with yo' bad selves.
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Excited to have this new mural promoting #childrensliteracy in our little town 💙. Thank you to muralist Annelise Vuono!
Multi-colored mural honoring children’s literacy in Winchester, VA
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
She Didn’t Want to Live With Advanced Dementia. So Why Was She Being Kept Alive? www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/w...
nytimes.com
She Didn’t Want to Live With Advanced Dementia. So Why Was She Being Kept Alive?
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Thomas M. Keck @tmksyracuse.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
www.helphampshireworkers.com
helphampshireworkers.com
Help Hampshire Workers | Support Hampshire Workers Today
Support Hampshire College staff and faculty facing job loss with emergency relief funds for essential needs. Contributions and support help provide immediate assistance during this critical time.
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Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
“Tonight, Virginians sent a message heard across this country: we will not let Donald Trump or MAGA Republicans rig our democracy." - VA Speaker @donscott757.bsky.social bluevirginia.us/2026/04/live...
"STATEMENT FROM SPEAKER DON SCOTT ON VIRGINIA REDISTRICTING REFERENDUM VICTORY

RICHMOND, VA — Speaker Don Scott released the following statement after Virginians voted YES to approve the redistricting referendum:

“Tonight, Virginians sent a message heard across this country: we will not let Donald Trump or MAGA Republicans rig our democracy.

“This started in Texas when Trump launched an unprecedented power grab to rig the midterms and tonight Virginia voters ended it and voted YES to stop his power grab.

“We trusted the voters, not politicians. We put this question on the ballot because we believe power belongs to the people. And tonight, the people of Virginia answered.

“In a special election with everything on the line, Virginians showed up in extraordinary numbers and chose fairness over fear, truth over misinformation, and democracy over political games.

“Let’s be clear about what this means: Virginia just changed the trajectory of the 2026 midterms. At a moment when Trump and his allies are trying to lock in power before voters have a say, Virginians stepped up and leveled the playing field for the entire country.

“Virginia has done this before — and tonight, we did it again. When the stakes are highest, we lead.”"
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Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 22/02/2026
This is your regular reminder that whenever you watch a medical drama and a chaplain character just, like, never appears, that's weird. Chaplains are a constant presence in hospitals. They're considered part of the care team, and it's super odd that (most) medical shows pretend that isn't the case.
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Bat 🦇 Borus @matthewborus.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
Public comments needed! The admin wants to define grad programs in many "helping" fields (social work, nursing, teaching, etc) to no longer be "professional" degrees. This would mean major student loan restrictions: only $20,500/year. Tuition alone is often more. Please comment by March 2!
cswe.org
Reclassifying Social Work Degrees Will Harm Students, Communities, and the Profession
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
I would say “federal agency” or maybe “institutional and loan servicers”
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
For those concerned about the DOE’s proposed rule to limit access to federal-backed loans and repayment options for masters level social work programs and many other vital programs - PLEASE consider submitting your response at the link below. www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Some PT’s I know lovingly refer to themselves as physical terrorists
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Thanks for the inspiration! Donated on behalf of team #comfortfood to my local food bank www.brafb.org #HCWvsHunger
brafb.org
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank | Nourishing Our Community
Empowering Central & Western Virginia with nutritious food. Join us in our mission to end hunger—volunteer, donate, or find help today.
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
The Five Invitations by Frank Ostaseski has some poignant scenes: fiveinvitations.com/book-excerpt/
fiveinvitations.com
Book Excerpt
I love romance, and so did Catherine. One night when we were watching Pretty Woman on TV at the hospice, she made an announcement. She probably had only six weeks to live, but she wanted to get marrie...
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
#Nokings Shenandoah Valley, VA. Great turnout! @bluevirginia.bsky.social
Flyer for No Kings rally 10/18 in Berryville, VAHand made sign with text “Ice Cracks and Ice Melts. Be the salt! Be the heat!”Self portrait with tshirt stating “Enough Hate Already”
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
Very excited to dive into @theferocity.bsky.social & @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social’s curated The People’s Project - and to support my local indy bookstore @winchbookgallery.bsky.social to boot!
Cover of The People’s Project book, curated by Saeed Jones and Maggie Smith
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 13/09/2025
Congratulations, Tom!
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
Thank you for introducing me to her and for your beautiful analysis and tribute!
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
Yes, please! (from a fellow Obie ‘91)
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Kaitlin Shetler @kaitlinshetler.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
#poemsfortheresistance my third grader went to sleep last night holding her stuffed rabbit and talking about minecraft she tells me funny things about school her friends play a game under a tree she calls it “queen of the world”
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
#defendingdemocracy #handsoff #shenandoahvalley
Hands Off Rally in Winchester, VA. Saturday, April 5,2025, 11 am to 1 pm. Loudoun Street Walking Mall, meet in front of civil war museum.
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
Found art on a walk, Shenandoah Valley.
Wood print with text: The Revolution is not an apple that falls when ripe. You have to make it fall.  - Che Guevara
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 17/02/2025
Do you use/recommend a particular company for your stuffed animals with recorded messages?
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Your yearly #hapc Valentine’s Day message
If Palliative Care made candy hearts: 6 candy hearts each with these messages- What brings you joy? Extra Layer of Support, Tell Me More, I’ll never withdraw care, I’m listening, How can I help?
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GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD Law) @gladlaw.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
Trump’s executive order banning transgender girls from sports is part of a chilling, sustained campaign targeting trans people. We will challenge this order. Read our full statement: www.glad.org/trump-sports...
glad.org
Trump's Sports Order is Part of a Sustained Campaign Targeting Transgender People - GLAD Law
We will challenge this order and the systematic targeting of transgender people across American institutions.
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Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
When discussing serious health issues with patients, it’s crucial to ask permission each time a new sensitive topic is broached… people may have specific needs, timing, or preferences they’d like to voice before you “go there.”
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 25/01/2025
I appreciate the COVID PTSD references though it is tortuous to watch
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
The existential dread pin made for a great gift!
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
Interesting upcoming panel on MAiD on 2/11/25- with attention to how vulnerable groups without access to robust health care and treatment may be affected by #MAiD #hpm #hapc my.wlu.edu/mudd-center/...
my.wlu.edu
How We Die: A Panel Investigating the Ethics of Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) : Washington and Lee University
Terri Laws, Thaddeus Mason Pope, and Mara Buchbinder<br /><br /><strong>How We Die: A Panel Investigating the Ethics of Medical Aid in Dying (MAID)</strong><br /><strong>Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at ...
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
The palliative care world lost a very bright light recently - Dr. Danielle Norieka. Exceptional physician and health equity advocate. I was lucky to have benefitted from her expertise over the years. #hapc #hpm www.vcuhealth.org/news/because...
vcuhealth.org
‘Because Students’: Remembering Dani Noreika
By Jeff Kelley Well into her clinical career as a palliative care physician, Danielle Noreika, M.D., decided to build her research and leadership skills and expand her passion for equitable patient ...
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
I often look at this one before I enter a hospital family meeting - it helps remind me to work towards putting my own agenda aside and attend to the unique person in front of me.
Graphic medicine cartoon by Dr. Nathan Gray. 4 panels illustrating the importance of remembering a patient and families own perspective on intensive medical care.
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
Dr Gray’s @nathanagray.bsky.social #graphicmedicine has definitely helped me convey important messages within my hospital in ways that words alone cannot. Highly recommend! #hapc
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
Rest in peace, Cornelius Baker. Had the opportunity to be on staff at DC’s Whitman Walker Clinic in the late 90’s under his direction. www.nytimes.com/2024/11/30/h...
nytimes.com
A. Cornelius Baker, Champion of H.I.V. Testing, Dies at 63 (Gift Article)
Working inside the government and out, he lobbied to improve the lives of people with H.I.V. and AIDS, particularly those who belonged to minority groups.
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
Happy to contribute towards @hcwvshunger.bsky.social for team #comfortfood in support of www.brafb.org
brafb.org
Home - The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank
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Leah McElrath @leahmcelrath.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Using a feminized version of Elon’s name to ridicule him and highlight his closeness with Trump (“Elonia” vs Melania), invokes homophobic, transphobic, and misogynistic tropes that contribute to the dangerous environment women and LGBTQ people face, @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social. It’s not resistance.
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Caring Across Generations @caringacross.org · 24/11/2024
"it's good to see us, isn't it?!" 🫧 hello ozians and the #care community of bluesky! 🩷💚
Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda embracing warmly, one with green skin and glasses, the other in a striped suit, in a whimsically decorated room with a lantern and foliage. Text overlays say "the care community" and "us.
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eileen chengyin chow @chowleen.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
Vaccinations: a historically good idea Ōta Chōu 太田聴雨, Smallpox Vaccination 種痘, 1934 (Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art)
"A female doctor cuts into a woman’s skin with a scalpel to administer a smallpox vaccination. Both women have nervous expressions. The purple of the patient’s kimono and the green of her kimono sash create a contrast against the spotless interior of the white room, and the traditional arrow feather pattern is arranged in a modern design." (from the Kyocera museum art description)
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
Now more than ever. Thanks @clairezagorski.bsky.social for the badge reel, helping me convey this important message in the palliative care space #hapc
Badge reel stating “You are safe with me” with LGBTQIA pride flag colors, attached to palliative social worker name tag
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
How do we say goodbye to patients nearing end of life? #hpm #hapc Glad to have a colleague among authors of this recent Fast Fact www.mypcnow.org/fast-fact/th...
mypcnow.org
FF #493 - 'The Last Visit': Saying Goodbye to Patients | Palliative Care Network of Wisconsin
Background: As patients approach the end of their lives, finding the right words to bid farewell and acknowledge the conclusion of their relationship can be a daunting task for health care professiona...
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
How do we manage complex feelings when working with patients who voted differently from us? Emotions that arise are natural in our efforts to serve. Highly recommend this piece from Healwell - amazing DC area org providing massage therapy to those affected by illness. healwell.org/blog/b/love-...
healwell.org
Love Thy Client
Many therapists are struggling with their own very human emotions and fears as they try to meet the people they serve with love and care. “How can I touch someone I no longer trust?”
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
A hope as the new week begins:
Text of the Bodhisattva Vow
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Roxane Gay @roxanegay.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
For the @nytimes.com I wrote about how Enough is Enough with the incumbent president and his cabinet of folly and let’s stop coddling Trump voters and be real clear-eyed about what lies ahead. www.nytimes.com/2024/11/17/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Enough
To suggest we should yield even a little to Trump’s odious politics is unacceptable. Even if we did, it would never be enough.
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
Art by the very talented Dr. Nathan Gray @nathanagray.bsky.social
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 16/11/2024
Thankful to provide #hapc inpatient palliative care alongside such talented music therapists. And feeling fortunate to live near a local conservatory that has such a robust MT program! www.su.edu/conservatory...
2 music therapists in a hospital room -  One is holding a percussion instrument, and the other is sitting on a hospital bed holding a guitar.
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
Leverage
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Rachel Schwartz @rschwartz319.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
In Yiddish we’d say it’s a real “mechia” - a great relief! #hapc
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