Palliative Care

Your St. Elizabeth Palliative Care Team

The Palliative Care team consists of professionals with unique training, knowledge and experience working with people who have serious or chronic illness. This may include congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, lung disease, kidney failure, liver failure and some neurological diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's or Dementia.

You, the patient. This is your journey and we are here to support you. Together, we will explore what matters most to you. Your personal values, goals and wishes will direct your care.

Palliative physicians and nurse practitioners, who will manage your overall physical and psychological symptom needs. They will explore the cause of your symptoms, prescribe necessary medications and therapies, and help you understand the cause of what you are experiencing.

Palliative nurses, who will often act as the main point of contact for you, the rest of your palliative care team, and others involved in your treatment. They will provide education and ensure you get the care you need.

Palliative social workers, who fill a key role as counselors. They may help you deal with the emotional stressors of your diagnosis and coordinate communication between you, your family and your entire healthcare team. Often, they help ensure that family members understand your situation and can come to an agreement regarding healthcare decisions. Social workers can also connect you to local agencies that help with practical needs, as well as assist with documents such as living wills.

Palliative chaplains, who will address your spiritual needs. They are experts at helping people work through questions about their faith, as well as feelings such as guilt, grief and helplessness.

Your team may also bring in other medical professionals on an as-needed basis. For instance, if you have side effects from a certain medication, the team may consult a pharmacist. If you don’t feel like eating, we may turn to a dietitian for suggestions on making food more appealing. Or, if you are fatigued but could benefit from exercise, we might ask a physical therapist to plan some safe physical activity.

As always, the team works together — and with you — to help meet your needs. We can also include any family members that you want to include in your care. They will be able to participate to the extent you want them involved.

Palliative Care Team Providers

• Brittany Blankenship, APRN 
• Jennifer Bowling, APRN
• Elizabeth Bridges, APRN
• Heather Columber, APRN 
• Ashley Pope, APRN
• Lauren Roth, MD
• Kristi Schierberg, APRN
• Laura Trice, MD
• Jennifer White, APRN 

Palliative Care Team Supportive Services

• Carolin Baker, MSW, CSW
• Nikki Cramer, RN
• Ginger Garland, HOD
• Lacey Lykins, MSW, CSW
• Micah McClendon, MDiv
• Chrissy Rademacher, MSW, LCSW
• Jo Wilder, MSW, LCSW