Charles von Gunten, MD PhD FACP FAAHPM, Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
San Diego, CA - February 21, 2011 - Charles F. von Gunten, MD PhD FACP FAAHPM [1], recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM), during its annual assembly in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Academy is the professional organization for physicians who care for patients with serious illness.
Dr. von Gunten is Provost at San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine in San Diego, CA, one of the largest community-owned, not-for-profit hospices in the United States and the only academic hospice program in the region. The organization brings compassionate, expert medical care to more than 1,000 seriously ill adults and children each day throughout San Diego County, and trains more than 4,000 physicians and clinicians each year in the advances in hospice and palliative care.
“I am thrilled to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award,” stated Dr. von Gunten. “It is truly an honor to be recognized by my colleagues for my work in the field of hospice and palliative medicine.”
The AAHPM Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes outstanding contributions and significant publications that have helped shape the direction of the field of hospice and palliative medicine.
“The growing prominence in the field of palliative medicine can be directly tied to Dr. von Gunten’s years of work and expertise in this specialty area of medicine,” noted Kathleen Pacurar, President and CEO of San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine. “This is an exceptional honor for an exceptional individual and we applaud Dr. von Gunten for his efforts and this well-deserved recognition.”
Dr. von Gunten received his medical degree from the University of Colorado and trained in Internal Medicine at McGaw Medical Center, Northwestern University, Chicago. Following residency, he was the Brian Forman Fellow in Hematology/Oncology at McGaw Medical Center. Dr. von Gunten has published numerous articles and given numerous clinical presentations on end-of-life care.
The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine’s membership includes more than 4,200 physicians and other healthcare professionals committed to improving the care of patients with serious or life-threatening conditions. Since 1988, AAHPM has supported hospice and palliative medicine through advancement of clinical practice standards, fostering research, providing education, and through public policy advocacy.
San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine (www.sdhospice.org [2]) is one of the largest community-owned, not-for-profit hospices in the country, bringing compassionate, expert medical care to more than 1,000 seriously ill adults and children each day throughout San Diego County since 1977. In addition to patient care, The Institute for Palliative Medicine at San Diego Hospice (www.palliativemed.org [3]) is internationally recognized for its innovative education programs, patient/family-centered research and evidence-based advocacy since 1989. The Institute for Palliative Medicine trains more than 4,000 healthcare professionals each year in the advances in hospice and palliative care. For more information, call toll-free at 1-866-688-1600.
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