What is Palliative Care?

Amos Bailey serves as Director of the nation's first interprofessional Master of Science in Palliative Care program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, which he founded in 2014. His journey in palliative care began serendipitously in 1989 as a volunteer Medical Director for a home hospice program in West Virginia, where he discovered the profound impact of home-based care. After completing his medical education at the University of South Florida and fellowships at the University of Vermont and University of Alabama Birmingham, he established several groundbreaking palliative care programs, including the Balm of Gilead and Safe Harbor Palliative Care Program. As a Professor of Medicine at UC Colorado, he combines clinical work on the inpatient palliative care consult service with research focused on improving care for critically ill patients. His program addresses the critical healthcare gap created by the "silver tsunami" of aging baby boomers, training mid-career professionals through an innovative online platform. His research has been extensively published in prestigious journals, and his work was featured in Bill Moyers' PBS documentary "On Our Own Terms: Moyers on Dying." Under his leadership, the master's program has become a model for training the next generation of palliative care specialists, combining clinical expertise with compassionate, patient-centered care approaches.

A distinguished faculty member at the University of Colorado Graduate School, this educator brings over 15 years of nursing experience from prestigious institutions including Johns Hopkins Hospital and Mayo Clinic. After completing her MSN and focusing on geriatrics and chronic disease in Internal Medicine, she transitioned to palliative care in 2011, earning her certification in 2014 from the University of Colorado. Her current roles span teaching at UC's Graduate School, serving as Senior Research Assistant for the Palliative Care Research Cooperative, and mentoring community-based palliative care nurse practitioners. She has made significant contributions to the field through her work integrating a national palliative care data capture tool into Epic and her active involvement in the Hospice & Palliative Care Nurses Association's Graduate Faculty committee. Her expertise in both clinical practice and education has made her an invaluable member of the team developing the innovative Palliative Care program for Coursera.

Dr. Regina Fink is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado, where she serves in both the School of Medicine and the College of Nursing. She is also the nursing co-director for the Interprofessional Graduate Palliative Care Certificate and Master of Science in Palliative Care Programs. With over 40 years of experience, Dr. Fink has worked extensively as an oncology and pain clinical nurse specialist, focusing on improving patient care for individuals with cancer and pain. Her research interests include pain management, palliative care outcomes for underserved populations, and advance care planning. Notably, she has conducted a palliative care needs assessment in rural Rocky Mountain hospitals and replicated this work across 15 Middle Eastern countries.Dr. Fink is a recognized national and international lecturer on topics such as pain management and evidence-based practice (EBP). She has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and books throughout her career. Her courses on Coursera include Easing Physical Symptoms: It's Not Just Hospice Anymore, Pain Management: Easing Pain in Palliative Care, and What is Palliative Care?, among others. Through her teaching and research, Dr. Fink aims to enhance the quality of palliative care provided to patients and their families, advocating for effective strategies to manage pain and improve overall quality of life in serious illness contexts.

Dr. Maurice "Scotty" Scott is a Board Certified Family Medicine physician and an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado, where he practices with the Palliative Medicine Service. He is a member of both the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM). In his role at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Dr. Scott provides comprehensive palliative care services, including telehealth for rural patients, and teaches in the Master of Science in Palliative Care and Community-Based Hospice and Palliative Medicine programs. His clinical expertise focuses on improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses through effective pain management and supportive care.Dr. Scott is also a prominent lecturer on various aspects of palliative care, contributing to courses such as Easing Physical Symptoms: It's Not Just Hospice Anymore, Pain Management: Easing Pain in Palliative Care, and What is Palliative Care? His commitment to education and patient advocacy extends beyond the classroom, as he actively engages in research aimed at enhancing palliative care practices. Dr. Scott's dedication to improving healthcare outcomes reflects his belief in the importance of holistic approaches to patient care, ensuring that individuals facing serious health challenges receive compassionate and comprehensive support throughout their treatment journey.

Dr. Kelly Arora is the Co-Director of the Interprofessional Graduate Certificate and Master of Science in Palliative Care programs at the University of Colorado in Denver. She also serves as the John Wesley Iliff Senior Adjunct Lecturer in Spiritual Care at Iliff School of Theology. With a deep commitment to integrating spirituality into healthcare, Dr. Arora has taught courses on the relationship between spirituality and health at various institutions, including Regis University. Her passion for this field was ignited over 20 years ago when she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, prompting her to seek ways to address spiritual concerns related to her health.In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Dr. Arora maintains a private practice in spiritual direction and is actively involved in research and publications concerning health and spirituality. Her courses on Coursera include Easing Physical Symptoms: It's Not Just Hospice Anymore, Pain Management: Easing Pain in Palliative Care, and Psychosocial and Spiritual Aspects of Palliative Care. Through her work, she aims to enhance understanding and practices surrounding palliative care, emphasizing the importance of addressing both physical and spiritual needs in patients facing serious illnesses. Dr. Arora's holistic approach not only informs her teaching but also enriches the palliative care community by advocating for comprehensive patient-centered care.