Palliative care leaders from across Wisconsin have joined together to create the new Palliative Care Network of Wisconsin (PCNOW), an effort that was launched on Monday. The organization’s mission is to support the growth of palliative care services in Wisconsin through education, systems change and advocacy.
“Wisconsin is thriving with growing palliative care programs at most health systems, growing educational opportunities, and nationally renowned experts,” said PCNOW chair Dr. Timothy Jessick, a board certified family and palliative medicine physician at Aurora West Allis Medical Center. “We’re years ahead of most other states. And yet there’s so much to be done. Through PCNOW, we hope to strengthen palliative care results for patients throughout Wisconsin.”
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses that aims to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. According to the Center to Advance Palliative Care, an estimated six million people in the U.S. need palliative care.
The Palliative Care Network of Wisconsin will:
• Advance the care of Wisconsin patients and families through the growth of generalist and specialist palliative care services in all health care settings.
• Advance the knowledge and skills of all health professionals providing care for seriously ill patients.
• Advocate for improved palliative care services through changes in health care policy, regulations and legislation.
“So many of us feel like we’re working on islands,” said Dr. Jim Deming, a board certified family physician at Mayo Clinic Health Eau Claire. “PCNOW is already succeeding at building bridges and bringing us together.”
PCNOW is open to all health care professionals, organizations and others engaged in palliative care.
Among the health systems offering palliative care programs in the state are Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Aurora Health Care and Ministry Health Care.
For more information or to join PCNOW, visit www.mypcnow.org.
