Mission Palliative Care created for new services

Mission Health is pleased to announce the implementation of Mission Palliative Care, located at Mission Hospital.  Joining Mission Palliative Care are David Farley, MD, Kristin Forner, MD, Caroline K. Knox, MD, David Troxler, MD, Jeffrey A. Walker, MD, Sandra N. Whitlock, MD, and physician assistants Dawn M. Garwood and Belinda Ordonez.  John Morris, MD will serve as Medical Director. 

“It is truly exciting for us to be introducing the new Mission Palliative Care team,” said Angie Wills, Vice President, Clinical Programs, Mission Health, and Interim Vice President, Mission Medical Associates Operations.  “This medical specialty team focuses on the quality of life for those with serious and chronic illnesses, as well as having the assured continuum of care needed.”

The Mission Palliative Care team is also comprised of dedicated nurses and social work staff, and works collaboratively with Mission Hospital chaplains. Palliative care is a specialized form of care for those with serious illnesses. This specific care focuses on reducing pain and other stressful symptoms to improve quality of life for the patient and the family.

“Palliative care provides an additional layer of support to help with sharing information and offering guidance regarding complex medical decisions.  This care can be provided at the same time as other curative treatment,” said Dr. Morris, Medical Director, Mission Palliative Care. “Our Palliative Care team collaborates with Mission Hospital chaplains to provide spiritual support to our patients and families to help them with the stress often associated with a serious illness.”

Mission Hospital and the Mission Palliative Care team are located at 509 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801.  To request a consult with the Mission Palliative Care team for a patient admitted to Mission Hospital, call (828) 213-4642.