Palliative Care Team

Chin-Lin Ching, M.D. received her undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Rochester. She remained at UofR for her Internal Medicine Residency. After completion of Residency, she was a Hospitalist at Finger Lakes Health for 2 years, then returned to work as a Hospitalist at Highland Hospital. She became Board Certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine in 2012, and currently practices Palliative Care full time on the Inpatient Palliative Care service. She became the Medical Director for the Palliative Care Consultation Service at Highland Hospital in July 2018.

Brandon Wilcoxson, MD has a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics from Texas A&M University. He earned his medical degree from the University of Texas McGovern Medical School in Houston, TX. He moved to Rochester, NY in 2016 where he completed residency in Internal Medicine at Unity Hospital, followed by a Hospice and Palliative Care fellowship at the University of Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine, currently working as an attending physician as part of the Highland Hospital Palliative Care inpatient team. He also serves as one of the hospital’s unit medical directors. Outside of work, he enjoys horticulture, exercise, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Nicole Gise, MD is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. After completing her undergraduate training at Binghamton University she attended SUNY Upstate Medical University for her medical degree. She completed Internal Medicine residency at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, followed by fellowship training at the University of Rochester. She joined our team at Highland Hospital in 2018 and provides both inpatient and outpatient Palliative Care services, and also works as part of our Geriatrics division. She serves as the director for our outpatient Palliative Care clinic. Dr. Gise's professional interests include providing high quality palliative and geriatric care to our most frail older adults in the community, along with expanding access via home visits and telemedicine. Her passions outside of work include reading, travel, and enjoying local craft beer and wine. She resides in Rochester with her husband, young daughter, along with several family pets.

Rashmi Khadilkar, MD, HMDC completed medical school, Internal Medicine residency, and Rheumatology fellowship at Temple University in Philadelphia. She practiced as a rheumatologist for several years, and her interest in the care of older adult and seriously ill patients drew her to Palliative Care. In 2013, she received a two year Hearst Foundation Fellowship and completed training in Palliative Care and Geriatrics at the University of Rochester. In addition to her role at Highland Hospital, Dr. Khadilkar is the Associate Medical Director of UR Medicine Hospice. She is board-certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Geriatrics, and Internal Medicine and is credentialed by the Hospice Medical Director Certification Board. She enjoys reading, singing (mostly showtunes and 80s music), and “running.” She lives in Pittsford, NY with her husband, two children, two cats, and a lot of tropical fish.

Maureen McRae, MD is Board Certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She attended SUNY Upstate Medical University for her medical degree and completed her Family Medicine residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse. Maureen started her career working in the Auburn Hospital Emergency Department. She moved to the Rochester area in 2005 and owned and operated an urgent care here for 12 years. After volunteering at a comfort care home, where she cared for patients in the last days to weeks of life, she decided to further her medical education after two decades of practicing medicine and completed a Hospice and Palliative Care fellowship at the University of Rochester. Maureen joined the Highland Hospital team in 2022 providing both inpatient and outpatient Palliative Care services.

Morgan Muldoon, FNP-BC is an ANCC Board Certified Nurse Practitioner in Family Health. Morgan graduated with her Masters of Science in Family Health Practitioner from University of Rochester, where she also attended for her undergraduate nursing degree. Morgan has practice experience in emergency medicine, critical care medicine, geriatrics and palliative care. Professional interests include improving relationship between ICU and palliative care. She enjoys cooking for her family and friends, shopping, listening to podcasts and a good glass of wine. Morgan resides in Fairport, NY with her husband, two children and Bernedoodle, Fritz.

Lauren O’Connor, PA is an NCCPA Board Certified Physician Assistant. Lauren graduated with her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from SUNY Upstate University. Lauren has experience in geriatrics, internal medicine, and palliative care. Professional interests include pain/symptom management and providing support and guidance to patients and families navigating serious illnesses. Lauren enjoys spending time with her family especially at the local Rochester museums and parks with her husband and two daughters.

Edward Shanley, MD is board certified in Internal Medicine and completed his undergraduate degree in Biology from the State University of New York at Geneseo, after which he received his doctorate from the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine. He then completed his Internship and Residence in Internal Medicine at the University of Rochester, where he was Internal Medicine Chief Resident. Dr. Shanley completed his fellowship training in Hospice and Palliative Care Medicine at the University of Rochester and now works as both a hospitalist and inpatient palliative care physician at Highland Hospital.

Michelle Sterman, PA-C is a board certified Physician Assistant. Michelle started her career in the US Army and went on to graduate from the Rochester Institute of Technology. Michelle has experience in cardiology, gastroenterology, urology and inpatient medicine. Her professional interests include providing comfort and support during all phases of patient care and communication around serious illness. She enjoys spending time with her family, to include her two children and three dogs, cooking and baking.

Valerie Vetter, PA is an NCCPA Board Certified Physician Assistant. Valerie graduated with her Master of Science Health Science in Physician Assistant Studies from George Washington University and a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Towson University, where she also attended for her undergraduate degree. Valerie has practiced in many areas of medicine, including emergency medicine, gynecology, geriatrics and palliative care. Professional interests include improving communication with patients/families and increasing access to palliative care services early in chronic disease. She enjoys running, cooking, and true-crime podcasts. Valerie resides in Walworth with her triplets.

Kathleen Viterise ANP-C, MSN is a board certified Nurse Practitioner in Adult Health. Kathleen graduated with her Family Health Nurse Practitioner from St John Fisher College in Rochester, NY. She obtained her Bachelors of science degree in nursing at Midland College in Fremont, NE. Kathleen has practice experience in geriatrics and palliative care. Professional interests include symptom management of chronic and life threatening disease in older patients. She enjoys any outdoor activity no matter the weather!