Prasanna Ananth, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Yale School of Medicine, was named an Emerging Leaders in Hospice and Palliative Care by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM).
AAHPM asked its more than 5,000 members to nominate individuals who are the best and brightest new leaders in the field. Dr. Ananth is one of these physicians recognized by her peers for innovation in and dedication to the medical specialty of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and AAHPM.
“These individuals are enhancing care for seriously ill patients and their families through innovation, education, mentoring and clinical care,” noted Vicki Jackson, MD MPH FAAHPM, President of AAHPM.
Hospice and palliative medicine is the medical specialty that focuses on improving quality of life and relieving pain and other symptoms in seriously ill patients. Palliative care can and should be provided to patients who continue to receive treatments to try to cure or control their disease, regardless of their prognosis. Hospice is a specific type of palliative care for patients whose life expectancy is likely to be six months or less. Hospice and palliative care helps patients and families understand their treatment options and make decisions about their care, and provides information on spiritual and psychosocial services, support for family and caregivers and grief counseling.
Dr. Ananth is a pediatric oncologist and internationally recognized palliative care researcher. Supported through funding from the National Institutes of Health, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, and the National Palliative Care Research Center, her research focuses on evaluating and improving quality of care for children with serious illness. Says Dr. Ananth upon receipt of this honor, “I am incredibly grateful to my mentors, Drs. Joanne Wolfe, Cary Gross, and Xiaomei Ma, for their steadfast support. A special thank you to Dr. Wolfe for nominating me and for believing in my potential as a researcher and leader. I also want to express my gratitude for my family, who have taught me to maintain grit and courage despite any setbacks in this work.”
More information on this Award, including the list of the award winners is on the Academy’s website www.aahpm.org.