Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics

About

The Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics is dedicated to providing whole-person, patient-centered care for individuals living with serious or life-limiting illness. Our multidisciplinary teams help patients and their loved ones achieve the best possible quality of life by managing symptoms, supporting complex medical decision-making, and offering psychosocial, spiritual, and emotional care throughout the course of illness.

We serve patients of all ages and at every stage of serious illness, working in close collaboration with healthcare professionals across UPMC to reduce the stress and suffering that often accompany these conditions. Our mission is to ensure that patients, as well as those who care for them, are supported, understood, and empowered to live their best lives while pursuing treatments that align with their values and goals.

Our clinicians and faculty provide care in hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing facilities, and community settings, addressing the physical, psychological, spiritual, and social dimensions of health. Each care plan is thoughtfully designed to honor the patient’s individual needs, preferences, and hopes for the future.

Learn More and Related Resources

Explore more about palliative care, hospice, and medical ethics through the following national organizations and resources:

American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM): The leading professional organization for physicians advancing hospice and palliative medicine through clinical practice, research, and education.

Americans for Better Care of the Dying (ABCD): A nonprofit advocating for policy reform and system improvement to ensure compassionate, high-quality care for people facing serious illness.

Hospice Foundation of America: Provides resources and education on hospice and end-of-life care.

National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC): Represents and supports organizations that provide care to patients in their homes and communities.

Oregon Health & Science University Center for Ethics in Health Care: Promotes education, research, and consultation on ethical issues in patient care and health policy.