Cultural Issues

“I Am, We Are AAHPM: Celebrating Our Diversity” Selected as 2020 Power of A Gold Award Winner by ASAE

In recognition of its efforts to create an inclusive and educational environment that recognizes and thrives from the diverse backgrounds, cultures and convictions of its members and the patients and families they serve, AAHPM was selected to receive the coveted Power of A Gold Award from the American Society of Association Executives. The awards recognize … Read more“I Am, We Are AAHPM: Celebrating Our Diversity” Selected as 2020 Power of A Gold Award Winner by ASAE

AAHPM Statement on Racism in Healthcare

The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) condemns racism and its negative impact on inequities in the U.S., specifically in our healthcare system. Systemic racism undermines public health and poses a barrier to achieving our vision that all patients, families, and caregivers who need it will have access to high-quality hospice and palliative … Read moreAAHPM Statement on Racism in Healthcare

Disparities, Diversity, and Palliative Care

Larry Beresford We would like to think that hospice and palliative medicine are extremely patient-centered and individualized to the holistic needs and beliefs of each patient and family. But there can be widely differing perspectives across cultural groups about what individuals need in order to feel that their individuality was honored and what will be … Read moreDisparities, Diversity, and Palliative Care

Are You in Danger of Burnout?

Larry Beresford Are accumulated job stresses affecting your ability to provide high-quality hospice and palliative medicine to your patients? Do you have strategies for easing or managing the stresses of this work? Given this field’s ongoing workforce challenges, it can’t afford to lose a single practicing hospice and palliative medicine physician to job stress or … Read moreAre You in Danger of Burnout?

Discovering Relief in Our Own Grief

Formal training in self-care is relatively uncommon in most medical disciplines. Hospice and Palliative Medicine (HPM) specialty may be the exception. Grief if left unnamed can be a source of great pain, and as with any wound, if ignored, runs the risk of festering only to cause even greater discomfort and distress. Granek et al … Read moreDiscovering Relief in Our Own Grief

A Developing Countries Scholar’s Perspective on the 2011 Assembly

Attending the 2011 AAHPM &HPNA Annual Assembly in Vancouver February 16-19, 2011 was a wonderful experience for me. It would have been impossible without the support from AAHPM for physicians like me who are working in developing countries. I got the opportunity learn new clinical and scientific knowledge of palliative care by attending different sessions … Read moreA Developing Countries Scholar’s Perspective on the 2011 Assembly

Dancing with Broken Bones (Feb. 16th)

“Where there is love of humanity, there is love of the art.” This quote from Dr. Moller’s talk really resonated with me as a relatively recent graduate of medical school. In a thought-provoking exploration of impoverished patients struggles in the healthcare system at the end of life, an underlying theme was the importance of exposing … Read moreDancing with Broken Bones (Feb. 16th)

Gratitude: Service of Rememberance and Celebration

What a wonderful way to celebrate and remember all of us who care for our patients. The theme brought us back to Mother Earth as we are in the beautiful setting of Vancouver where we all are here to support each other. The symbol of the tree was used in several ways from the tree … Read moreGratitude: Service of Rememberance and Celebration

Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers…February 16 preconference

Although I was faculty rather than participant, this workshop about horizontal and vertical violence (“Bullying”) was a learning experience for me. As the only physician on the panel I expected to be isolated, to feel like a concentration-camp guard at the Holocaust Museum; instead I was surprised at the number of physicians in the room, … Read moreBuilding Bridges, Breaking Barriers…February 16 preconference