Doctor reassuring patient

Palliative Medicine

Doctor reassuring patient

Palliative medicine focuses on improving your quality of life from the time of diagnosis, throughout your treatment, and afterward. This is achieved by preventing and treating the symptoms and side effects of cancer and its therapy. Palliative medicine services will not replace your treatment, but will help enhance your experience. Palliative and supportive medicine providers work closely with your oncologist. Family members and other caregivers will also benefit from these valuable services.

Dr. Vinnidhy Dave

As a palliative medicine specialist, my goal is to individualize care for my patients to improve their symptoms and quality of life by helping manage pain, nausea, loss of appetite and much more. To give them the best results, I strongly believe in treating each patient as a human being and not just a diagnosis.

Dr. Vinnidhy Dave, Director of Palliative Medicine

At The Lefcourt Family Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center, people with cancer and their loved ones can receive palliative medicine services to relieve symptoms of cancer and its treatment, such as:

  • pain
  • shortness of breath
  • fatigue
  • nausea
  • constipation
  • loss of appetite
  • sleep disturbances

Spiritual, emotional, and social support are also available. The goal is to care for the whole person — mind, body, and soul — not just treat the disease.

Our palliative medicine team includes doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, chaplains, pharmacists, nutritionists, child life specialists, and others. The team provides an extra layer of support to your care team, working with your oncologist and your primary care physician to develop the best plan of treatment and to set care goals for you and your loved ones. With palliative care:

  • You can expect to have more control over your care in a comfortable and supportive atmosphere that reduces anxiety and stress.
  • We review your plan of care at each visit to make sure your needs and preferences are being met, and that your treatments are in line with your beliefs and goals.
  • You can carry on with your daily life. Palliative care improves your ability to go through your medical treatments. It helps you better understand your condition and your choices for medical care so you can expect the best possible quality of life.

Working together with Englewood Health’s palliative and supportive medicine team, you and your family can create and define your quality of life and cope better throughout your illness. Talk with your family and your physician about palliative and supportive care services. A referral is not required to receive these services.

Contact Us

201-608-2556

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