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UR Medicine / Neurology / Our Divisions / Neuropalliative Care

Neurology Supportive & Palliative Care Service

Our mission is to improve the quality and availability of palliative care for all people in our community affected by neurologic illness and those that care about them through partnering with them in clinical care, education, community outreach, advocacy and research.

The vision for URMC Neurology is to provide outstanding palliative and supportive care to every person affected by neurologic illness who walks in our doors and inspires other organizations to do the same.

The Neurology Supportive and Palliative Care Service at the University of Rochester is committed to serving all people affected by neurologic illness. This includes people living with neurologic illnesses, their families, healthcare providers, researchers and trainees. We seek to support the various communities we serve by sharing clinical, educational and research resources. We also seek to inspire them by reminding them of their inherent kindness, wisdom, courage, joy and love. Our core team includes a neuropalliative care physician, a chaplain and a social worker. Every division of this department also includes one or more palliative care champions to ensure that we can adequately meet the needs of the diverse populations we serve. Our faculty are highly motivated to provide the best care possible to the people we serve and are leaders in neuropalliative care research and education.

The University of Rochester has a long history of excellence in areas essential to neuropalliative care including the development of the biopsychosocial model and palliative medicine. Dr. Robert Holloway, was one of the early leaders and champions of this field and has inspired many currently active researchers through his research, education and writing. Dr. Benzi Kluger was recruited to our faculty in 2020 to build upon his pioneering work in developing models of neuropalliative care for Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative illnesses. Through our connections across the department and campus we are poised to tackle many critical issues to improve the care of persons living with neurologic illness, their families and healthcare providers.

Education
 

Education

Our section provides learning experiences for students, residents, fellows and faculty in the theory and practice of neuropalliative care.

Research
 

Research

We are interested in a broad range of issues affecting persons living with neurological disorders and their families including: screening for palliative care needs, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, complex symptom management, developing models of care, implementation and dissemination.

Neuropalliative Care News

Leading by Example: How the University of Rochester’s Neuropalliative Care Service Expands Treatment Possibilities

Implementing Team-based Outpatient Palliative Care in Parkinson Foundation Centers of Excellence. 

Patient & Clinician Educational Videos

Introduction to Hospice: A Conversation with Sara Fohl

A Clinician's Introduction to Hospice: A Conversation with Thomas Caprio

Upcoming Events

International Neuropalliative Care Society’s Third Annual INPCS Conference

September 12-15, 2023
Website for more information: https://www.neuropalliativecare.org

Dr. Fred J. Dowaliby Lectureship in Neuropalliative Care
September 27, 2023
Ana-Maria Vranceanu, PhD
Associate Professor of Psychology
Founding Director, Center for Health OUtcomes and Interdisciplinary Research (CHOIR)
James and Elizabeth Gambles Endowed Chair Co-Director, Mass General Neurosciences
Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School

The Dr. Fred J. Dowaliby Lectureship in Neuropalliative Care was established in June 2020 by Dr. Bernadette L. Skobjak. This gift is in loving memory of her husband Dr. Fred J. Dowaliby.

The purpose of this endowed lecture is to:

  • Provide continuing education in Neuropalliative Care for faculty and staff. The lectureship would be designed to present new palliative care content in the form of educational materials and/or in-person training sessions to raise the standards of care as well as improve the quality of life for all people affected by neurologic illness.
  • Improve the acceptance, understanding, and implementation of key components of Neuropalliative Care among URMC neurologists and staff members. The lectureship will introduce, enhance, and improve frequency of Palliative Care interventions early in treatment and care of Parkinson's Disease, Parkinson's Disease Dementia, and Lewy Body Dementia Disease patients and caregivers.

Past Events

Neuropalliative Care Essentials CME Lecture Series: 1st Friday of every month at 11:00 am.
2021 – 2022 Schedule

Dr. Fred J. Dowaliby Lectureship in Neuropalliative Care
October 22, 2021
Susan L. Mitchell, MD, MPH
Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Senior Scientist, Hebrew SeniorLife Marcus Institute for Aging Research