Palliative Care

Palliative care (also called palliative medicine) is specialized medical care for patients living with a serious illness that focuses on providing an extra layer of culturally appropriate care delivered by an interdisciplinary team comprised of doctors and nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, pastoral care, chaplains, counselors, and other disciplines. Focused on reducing symptoms (physical, emotional, psychological, or spiritual) while addressing patients’ desires for a care plan that is consistent with their goals and what matters most to them. Palliative care can be delivered alongside curative or long-term medical therapies at the time of diagnosis. Palliative care can be offered at various points in a patient’s illness and settings such as the home, hospital, nursing home, and ambulatory clinic. Additionally, palliative medicine consultation may be available through virtual or telemedicine mechanisms, and providers of palliative care can assist patients in accessing hospice care as appropriate.

Delivery of specialty-level palliative care is provided by a variety of professionals, including physicians who are board-certified in hospice and palliative medicine, nurse practitioners who hold specialty certification, and physicians who practice solely in hospice care and hold the hospice medical director board certification. Many physicians or nurse practitioners may care for patients in hospice or other programs, but may or may not carry board certification, and may not care only for patients with serious illnesses or who are at the end of life. Certification programs also exist for the disciplines of chaplaincy and social work.

Mission Statement

The mission of this Council is to promote Palliative Care in Alabama by improving consumer awareness of the positive effect of compassionate palliative care on the quality of life and care for individuals and families living with life-limiting illness.

This will be accomplished through the establishment of a consumer and professional information and educational program within the Department of Public Health, and by facilitating collaboration among palliative care providers, organizations, institutions, and individuals.

Resources

• UAB Center for Palliative and Supportive Care
• American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM)
• Center to Advance Palliative Care
• National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
• Get Palliative Care
• Alabama Hospice & Palliative Care Organization
• Medicare's Role in End-of-Life Care
• Advance Directives/Portable Physician Do Not Attempt Resuscitation Orders
• Appendix I - Certificate of Health Care Decision Surrogate
• Appendix II
• Appendix III
• Advance Care Videos: PowerPoint for Physicians | Video for the Patients
• FAQ and Answers for Portable Physician's DNAR Orders and Rules
• Video - UAB Center for Palliative and Supportive Care
• CAPC Patient & Family Information
• Palliative Care Medication- PDMP Patient Fact Sheet
• PPEL Order Form
• National POLST Form
• Alabama Hospital Association Advance Directive Toolkit

State Advisory Council on Palliative Care and Quality of Life

The State Advisory Council on Palliative Care and Quality of Life was created in 2015 to establish a palliative care consumer and professional information and education program. The Council meets quarterly. Information on previous and upcoming state advicouncil meetings, including agendas and minutes, is available below.

• 2024 State Progress Report 

Council Meetings

Upcoming: August 27, 2026 - "Forging the Future of Palliative Care 2026 Innovation Summit"

Location: The Lodge at Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores, AL

If you would like a copy of the meeting agendas or minutes from any of our state advisory council meetings, you can contact Yumicka Smith at [email protected].

View Archived State Advisory Council Meetings

Board Members

Name: Kristi A. Acker, D.N.P., F.N.P.-B.C., A.O.C.N.P., A.C.H.P.N. (Chair)
Representation: Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner
Appointed: 10/01/2021
Term Expires: 10/01/2024

Name: Karen Marlowe, Pharm.D., B.C.P.S., C.P.E. (Co-Chair)
Proxy: Marilyn Bulloch, Pharm.D., B.C.P.S.
Representation: Alabama Pharmacy Association
Appointed: 10/01/2021
Term Expires: 10/01/2024

Name: Gregory W. Ayers, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.A.H.P.M.
Representation: Alabama Board of Medical Examiners
Appointed: 11/01/2020
Term Expires: 11/01/2023

Name: John G. Beard, M.B.A., J.D.
Alacare Home Health & Hospice
Proxy: Samika L. Williams, M.S.H.A., M.P.A.
Representation: Home Care Association of Alabama
Appointed: 10/01/2021
Term Expires: 10/01/2024

Name: Richard J. Brockman, J.D.
Burr & Forman, LLP
Proxy: Angie Cameron Smith, J.D.
Representation: Alabama Nursing Home Association
Appointed: 10/01/2021
Term Expires: 10/01/2024

Name: Stormy Dismuke, R.N., M.S.N., N.P.-C.
Proxy: Shelly Jeffrey, C.R.N.P.
Representation: Alabama Hospice & Palliative Care Organization
Appointed: 10/01/2021
Term Expires: 10/01/2024

Name: Leigh Ann Matthews, R.N., M.S.N., A.T.P., C.R.T.S.
Complete Care Inc.
Proxy: Andy Alvarez 
Representation: Alabama Durable Medical Equipment Association
Appointed: 02/04/2022
Term Expires: 02/04/2025

Name: Timothy B. Mayhall, M.Div., B.C.C.
Southeast Alabama Medical Center
Proxy: Herb Robertson, M.Div.
Representation: Spiritual Professional Expertise
Appointed: 06/02/2020
Term Expires: 06/02/2023

Name: Mary Ann Somers, M.A.Ed.
Proxy: Pam Chandler
Representation: Patient & Family Caregiver Representative
Appointed: 11/02/2019
Term Expires: 11/02/2022

Name: Sarah Pederson, PhD
Druid City Hospital
Representation: Palliative Care Coordinator
Appointed: 02/04/2022
Term Expires: 02/04/2025

Name: Annie Hinson, L.B.S.W
Southeast Health Medical Center
Representation: Palliative Care Social Work
Appointed: 02/04/2022
Term Expires: 02/04/2025