AAHPM reached out to the 2024 Emerging Leaders to gain insight into what motivated them to pursue leadership positions and what they find more fulfilling in their experiences. Andrew Lawton, MD FAAHPM has been recognized as one of the exceptional individuals chosen as a 2024 AAHPM Emerging Leader in Hospice and Palliative Care.
Who has most influenced your work and how have they shaped your contributions?
Three important groups have influenced my work. The first is the incredible palliative care team at Dana-Farber, with gratitude to Jane deLima Thomas and James Tulsky. These folks taught me clinical palliative care and gave me the opportunity to thrive as an educator and leader. Second is the VitalTalk community, who taught me how to teach communication and how we can best empower our learners and peer teachers in the process. Finally, of course, are my patients – who have generously invited me into their illness experience and given me the opportunity to grow as a clinician.
What is the significance to you of being recognized as a “Emerging Leader” in Hospice and Palliative Medicine?
The significance of this recognition is a sense of responsibility. Emerging Leaders have an opportunity and duty to advance our field, through robust clinical, education, research, and advocacy programs. The founders and “Visionaries” in our field have set us up for this. I know that I am part of a generation of dedicated HPM clinicians and leaders who are eager to do this work.
What is your aspiration for the evolution of hospice and Palliative Medicine?
I hope our field evolves such that palliative care becomes only more desirable and integrated for patients, families and clinicians navigating serious illness. I hope we keep finding innovative ways to deliver and teach palliative care. I hope we do all this work with health equity and clinician sustainability in mind.
Learn more about the AAHPM 2024 Emerging Leaders in Hospice and Palliative Care and view a full list of all current and past Emerging Leaders.