Hospital-Based Palliative Care

When a patient, physician, or family member requests our services, professionals from the UPMC Palliative and Supportive Institute meet with the patient and his or her family to assess health status. We assess each patient's needs in the context of his or her illness or injury, and work closely with their doctor or treating physician, to design an individualized course of care that supports the patient's goals and values.

Palliative care consultants in the hospital may include:

Supportive Care Nurse Practitioners
Specialized Physicians
Psychologists
Pharmacists
Social Workers
Spiritual Counselors

We speak with the family to understand their feelings about the patient's illness and other concerns—spiritual, psychosocial, and financial. We see the patient regularly and continue to work closely with the patient's care team during hospitalization. If needed, we may also arrange for continuing care upon discharge.

By managing symptoms, answering questions, and offering practical support, our team contributes to the patient's comfort, whether or not complete recovery is expected. By easing difficulties and reducing suffering, the UPMC Palliative and Supportive Institute helps patients and their family members to maintain dignity and a higher quality of life during hospitalization.

The UPMC Palliative and Supportive Institute provides expert care to patients at many community and specialty hospitals throughout the UPMC system:

UPMC East

2775 Mosside Boulevard
Monroeville, PA 15146
Phone: 412-858-9565

Palliative Care Team

Heather Mikes, DO

Kelley Barcelo, CRNP

Joan Williams MSW, LCSW

UPMC Hamot

201 State Street
Erie, PA 16550
Phone: 814-877-2565

Palliative Care Team

Lisa Simonian, CRNP

Elizabeth Stroup, MSW

Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC

300 Halket Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

To request or schedule a supportive or palliative care inpatient consultation call 412-647-2345, extension 8510.

Palliative Care Team

Eva Reitschuler-Cross, MD

Richard L. Weinberg, MD

Ashley Wills, CRNP, DNP

UPMC McKeesport

1500 Fifth Avenue
McKeesport, PA 15132
Phone: 412-664-2717

Palliative Care Team

Stephanie Boehm, LCSW

Katrina Clacks, CRNP

Heather Mikes, DO

UPMC Mercy

1400 Locust Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: 412-232-7549

Palliative Care Team

Karl Bezak, MD

Tammy Eaton, CRNP

Anna Lewis, MSW

Michael McKenery, CRNP

Andrew Thurston, MD

Denise Verosky, MSN, RN

UPMC Northwest

100 Fairfield Drive
Seneca, PA 16346
Phone: 814-677-7440

Palliative Care Team

Pat Lamb, CRNP

Susan Stewart, LCSW

UPMC Passavant

9100 Babcock Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Phone: 412-367-6700

Palliative Care Team

Dina DiFeo, CRNP

Beverly Gaetano, LCSW

Edward J.Lewis, M.Div., STL, MPM
Bereavement and Spiritual Support Coordinator

Denise Robinson, MSW

Sumayai Zaidi, MD

UPMC Presbyterian

200 Lothrop Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

To request or schedule a supportive or palliative care inpatient consultation call 412-647-2345, extension 8511.

Medical Ethics and Palliative Care Service: 412-958-3844

Palliative Care Team

Robert M. Arnold, MD

Karl Bezak, MD

Tammy Brinker, CRNP

Tanisha Bowman, MSW

Julie W. Childers, MD

Rene N. Claxton, MD

Scott Freeman, MD

Stephanie Garofalo, DNP, FNP-C

Roberta Gillespie, PA-C

Sharon Hudak, RN, BSN, BC

Linda A. King, MD

Natalie Magoc, MSW

Debbie Phillips, MSW

Lisa Podgurski, MD

Eva B. Reitschuler-Cross, MD

Jane Schell, MD

Yael Schenker, MD

Richard L. Weinberg, MD

UPMC Shadyside

5230 Centre Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15232

To request or schedule a supportive or palliative care inpatient consultation call 412-647-2345, extension 8513.

Medical Ethics and Palliative Care Service: 412-623-3008

Palliative Care Team

Robert M. Arnold, MD

Mamta Bhatnagar, MD

Rene Claxton, MD

Elora Chakraborty, MSW

Scott Freeman, MD

Rebecca Hoelsken

Shannon Joy, CRNP

Czarina Kulick, MSW, LCSW

Jonathan Perlman

Lisa Podgurski, MD

Eva B. Reitschuler-Cross, MD

Rebecca Sands, DO

Jane Schell, MD

Yael Schenker, MD

Doris Shields, MSW, LCSW, BCD, ACM

Richard L. Weinberg, MD

UPMC St. Margaret

815 Freeport Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15215
Phone: 412-784-5111

Palliative Care Team

Vincent Balestrino, MD

Richard B. Hoffmaster, MD

Rebecca Rudy, LCSW

Alyssa Solimene, CRNP