Media Advisory: UB, Hospice and the VA Come Together to Treat One of the Community's Most Vulnerable Populations

The University at Buffalo School of Social Work, Hospice Buffalo and the VA Healthcare System of Western New York will kick off plans to create the Palliative Care Institute, the first in-depth, interdisciplinary educational training program with a hospice and large hospital system in the nation, at a brief ceremony to be held at 3:30 p.m. today (Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009) in the Hospice Buffalo Education Center, 225 Como Park Blvd., Cheektowaga.

The new Palliative Care Institute will train medical personnel responsible for treating chronically ill patients and those with debilitating diseases, a growing area of medical need both locally and nationally. The institute, supported by million-dollar grants from the National Institutes of Health, takes advantage of community resources, health care providers and the university to better train doctors, nurses, social workers, pharmacists and other health care providers to better serve these people struggling with long-term chronic illnesses.

Leaders of all three groups coming together to make the Palliative Care Institute happen -- UB, Hospice and the VA Medical Center -- will be on hand at today's press conference. Professionals who have gone through the educational program will also be at the conference to share their first-hand experience with palliative care training.

For more details: Contact Charles Anzalone, UB Office of Communications, at 716-645-4600, or 716-440-8824, and onsite.