The VA Hospice Care Center VA Palo Alto HCS

History Founded 1979 in Menlo Park Founded 1979 in Menlo Park Opened to non- Veterans 1999 Opened to non- Veterans 1999 Physician Fellowship, Consult Service 2000 Physician Fellowship, Consult Service 2000 Circle of Life Citation of Honor Winner 2001 Circle of Life Citation of Honor Winner 2001 Founder, Vicki Ellis

Serving Veterans and the Community 25 inpatient beds 25 inpatient beds 400 patients per year 400 patients per year Contracts with 5 home hospices Contracts with 5 home hospices 30% non-veterans admissions 30% non-veterans admissions

Special Services Full-time Psychologist Full-time Psychologist 0.5 FTE Occupational Therapist 0.5 FTE Occupational Therapist 0.5 FTE Massage Therapist 0.5 FTE Massage Therapist

Current trainees Physician fellows Physician fellows  Palliative Care  Geriatrics Psychology Interns Psychology Interns Medical Residents Medical Residents Medical Students Medical Students

Fellowships to be offered Physicians Physicians Advance Practice Nurses (4 month mini- fellowships) Advance Practice Nurses (4 month mini- fellowships) Psychology Post-docs Psychology Post-docs

Education Dissemination Plan Coordinate Dissemination of Curricula, Forms, Policies throughout VA and beyond Coordinate Dissemination of Curricula, Forms, Policies throughout VA and beyond  Via EPERC  Growth House

Research Interests Psychological Issues Psychological Issues  Depression, Grief Culture, Communication Culture, Communication Economics of end-of- life care Economics of end-of- life care