Patrick White, MD, has accepted the position as Division Chief of the newly-formed Division of Palliative Medicine in the Department of Medicine.
Dr. White received his BS, summa cum laude, double majoring in Biology and Theology with a minor in Bioethics from the University of Notre Dame. He received his MD from The Ohio State College of Medicine and Public Health, followed by his residency in Internal Medicine from Washington University/Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Dr. White then completed a Palliative Care Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh. While at Pittsburgh, he received significant research training through their Clinical and Translational Science Award. He completed coursework for a PhD in Comparative Effectiveness and is finishing his thesis requirements now. As Chief Medical Officer for BJC HomeCare, Dr. White leads Evelyn’s House, a 16-bed hospice house serving adult and pediatric patients and their families.
Dr. White is one of the first physicians in the country to pursue a PhD in comparative effectiveness research focused on improving end-of-life care. He has been actively involved in clinical research to help reduce pain and nausea in patients with advanced cancer. He collaborates with researchers from the World Health Organization to design projects to reduce nausea in patients with advanced cancer with a goal to improve quality of life.
Dr. White was selected as one of the inaugural “Hospice and Palliative Medicine Inspirational Leaders Under 40” by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and he is one of seven physician leaders nationally selected for the inaugural Hospice Medical Director Leadership Council. He has also been recognized with a CDC Award of Recognition for his charitable and service work in Leogane, Haiti. Dr. White is a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society, and has received Distinguished Service Teaching Awards from Washington University.
The Division of Palliative Medicine springs from a collaborative effort between the Department of Medicine at Washington University, BJC Healthcare, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, and the Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Palliative Medicine is a relatively new specialty name for the medical practice focused on relieving the suffering of patients with advanced diseases and enhancing quality of life for both patients and their families. Palliative Medicine proactively emphasizes addressing patients’ symptoms, using compassionate communication combined with increased psychosocial and spiritual support to provide families with valuable information, comfort, and resources.
Dr. White is recognized for his accomplishments, collaborative leadership, and commitment to the highest quality of patient care. Please join me in congratulating Dr. White on his new leadership role.