The Department of Supportive and Palliative Care aims to help relieve suffering for patients' and their families, by providing relief from symptoms, pain and stress of serious illness and, in turn, improve quality of life.
The Supportive and Palliative Care team consists of palliative care physicians, APPs and nurses who hold advanced training in palliative care — in addition to Roswell Park social workers, spiritual care chaplains, psychologists, psychiatrists and therapists all dedicated to the mission of improving quality of life and well-being of patients, their families and employees at Roswell Park.
Students in our Hospice and Palliative Medicine fellowship are introduced as an integral part of the patient care team. As a free-standing National Cancer Insititute-designated comprehensive cancer center, our translational medicine model connects fellows with clinicians, researchers and specialists who understand every aspect of cancer care and science.
Our mission
The Department of Supportive and Palliative Care provides innovative, high-quality, meaningful care to all those affected by cancer in their personal journey. Our interdisciplinary team utilizes an intentional approach to reduce physical, emotional and spiritual suffering.
Our goal is to preserve well-being and dignity for cancer patients, caregivers and colleagues inclusive of all ages, diverse backgrounds and cultures.
The services we offer improve quality of life, improve patient and caregiver satisfaction and are evidence-based. I know with certainty that our palliative services have helped many cancer patients and their families feel better and enjoy life more during a trying time.”
Professor of OncologyLee Foundation Endowed Chair
Department of Supportive & Palliative Care
Divisions
Palliative Care
Our specialty trained Palliative Care Interdisciplinary team includes physicians, APPs, nurses, social workers, and chaplains, working closely with legacy project specialists and child life specialists to help relieve complex suffering and improve quality of life for patients with advancing cancer, and their families.
Spiritual Care
The Division of Spiritual Care assists patients, their family members and staff with spiritual and emotional support. By providing a reflective, reverential, engaging, and active listening presence, chaplains seek to help individuals move toward spiritual contentment.
Psychology
The Division of Psychology provides cancer-related psychological services to patients, survivors, and family members. We provide empirically supported treatment for cancer-related depression and anxiety, body image challenges, grief and loss, and adjustment to new diagnosis, recurrence, treatment transitions and end-of-life.
Psychiatry
The Division of Psychiatry is a medical specialty that consists of a team of physicians and APPs who helps manage mental health disorders with medication and other non-pharmacological modalities.
Social work
Licensed clinical social workers, baccalaureate-prepared social workers, and clerical support staff to assist patients and families with the challenges faced when dealing with a cancer diagnosis. We are the first call for any mental health related issues.
Employee Resiliency
The Division of Employee Resiliency addresses and improves personal, professional, and organizational resilience; decreases burnout by identifying systemic organizational burnout drivers; and improves wellness for all Roswell employees.
Contact us
Caitlin.Rech@RoswellPark.org