AAHPM reached out to the 2024 Visionaries to gain insight into what motivated them to pursue leadership positions and what they find more fulfilling in their experiences. Tammy Kang, MD MSCE FAAHPM has been recognized as one of the exceptional individuals chosen as a 2024 AAHPM Visionaries in Hospice and Palliative Care.
Who has most influenced your work and how have they shaped your contributions?
As a young faculty member finishing a pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship and trying to find my place in academic pediatrics, I was fortunate to have mentors and colleagues who helped me envision pediatric palliative care as a career path. Dr. Chris Feudtner Dr. Joanne Wolfe, Dr. Sarah Friebert and others were leaders in the field and welcomed me into the growing circle of pediatric palliative care leaders. Gina Santucci, FNP who took the leap into the unknown world of palliative care with me and still walks the journey with me has taught me so much about collaboration, teamwork and the importance of a good bowl of pasta. As my passion for helping to build pediatric palliative care programs emerged, I am grateful for all of the health care administrators, including my sister, who have patiently taught me the business side of medicine. Lastly, I have been fortunate to have terrific Chiefs, Chairs and Executives allow me the opportunity to grow programs and contribute to initiatives across the institutions where I have worked.
What is the significance to you of being recognized as a “Visionary” in Hospice and Palliative Medicine?
I am grateful for the opportunities I have had in pediatric palliative care and for AAHPM in recognizing the importance of highlighting the field and its growth. Recognition allows other to see that leaders in pediatrics not only focus on developing groundbreaking treatments for childhood disease but also engage in specialty care to provide the highest level of compassionate care for children who continue to suffer from serious illness.
What is your aspiration for the evolution of hospice and Palliative Medicine?
I am hopeful that the field continues to define its role in the care of patients with serious illness and discovers ways in which quality of life for patients and caregivers can be maximized. As we continue to highlight the necessity and importance of palliative care, I hope that students and trainees have access to mentorship to be able to see the need and benefits of a career in palliative care. As a field, we should continue to aspire for evidence-based treatment modalities and for increased and equitable access to palliative care across the care and disease spectrums.
Learn more about the AAHPM 2024 Visionaries in Hospice and Palliative Care and view a full list of all current and past Visionaries.