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​Supportive and Palliative Care Program

The Supportive and Palliative Care Program at UPMC was established to improve the quality of life of patients whose diseases are no longer responsive to curative treatments.

Palliative care:

  • Strives to keep patients comfortable when cure is not possible.
  • Deals with the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and their families.
  • Views death as a natural part of life.

The program:

  • Provides comprehensive, coordinated services to seriously ill patients and their families, with emphasis on relief from pain and other disturbing symptoms.
  • Integrates the physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of patient care.
  • Offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death and to help the family cope during the patient’s illness and in bereavement.
  • Develops appropriate treatments and discharge plans for seriously ill patients.

The Palliative Care Team

The Supportive and Palliative Care Program is staffed by an advanced practice provider, physician, pharmacist, and psychologist — all with expertise in palliative care — who collaborate with primary care providers, social workers, and case managers to coordinate care.

The team works with physicians to manage symptoms such as pain, delirium, fatigue, anorexia, depression, anxiety, and shortness of breath.

» See our palliative care program experts.

Palliative Care Services

The Supportive and Palliative Care Program offers a variety of services for patients, families, and health care providers, including:

  • Pain and symptom management.
  • Emotional and psychological support.
  • Education for residents, nurses, and other health care providers.
  • Assistance for providers and family members in making complicated end-of-life decisions, including the use of medical technology, living wills, and powers of attorney.

We provide these inpatient and outpatient palliative care services at numerous locations:

Inpatient Outpatient


At all locations, the focus of the Medical Ethics and Palliative Care Program Department is to provide health care professionals and caregivers of patients nearing the end of life with the information and support they need to care for these patients.

» Learn more about our palliative care services.

Contact Us

If you would like additional information on the Supportive and Palliative Care Program at UPMC, call 412-692-4834 or contact Dr. Robert Arnold.

Additional Resources

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