Robert K. Horowitz, M.D.

It is my profound privilege to serve the Rochester community as a physician and leader of the Palliative Care Division at UR Medicine.

Palliative Care supports patients and families through the challenges of serious illness, sometimes from the time of diagnosis, and sometimes through the end of life.

Our team of experts helps by:
1. Easing the physical, emotional and spiritual struggles of living with serious illness.
2. Exploring each person's unique priorities, hopes, worries and preferences, to make sure their treatment plan honors their values.

I am most grateful for the honor of helping people with serious illness live their best life possible.

Professional Background

Dr. Rob Horowitz is the Georgia and Thomas Gosnell Distinguished Professor in Palliative Care, trained and board-certified in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics and Hospice & Palliative Care Medicine. He worked as a rural Emergency Physician for 14 years until 2012, when he moved his professional home to the URMC division of Palliative Care, where he works with children and adults who have serious illness in hospital, office and home settings. He has been Chief of the Palliative Care Division since 2015. Dr. Horowitz also founded and served as Medical Director of Rochester's Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program from 1999 until 2015.

In addition to his clinical duties, Dr. Horowitz teaches palliative care and communication skills to medical students at the University of Rochester School of Medical & Dentistry. He also teaches other health career students, as well as residents, fellows and practicing clinicians in multiple small and large group settings, and facilitates several reflection, Balint and support groups for trainees, colleagues and staff. He is also co-developer of the Advanced Communication Training program at URMC, which teaches serious illness conversation skills to interdisciplinary clinicians at all levels of training and experience.

Research