Paulino, Leech named Emerging Leaders in Hospice and Palliative Care
The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) has named Rex Paulino, MD, assistant professor, and Ana Leech, MD, MS, associate professor, in the Department of Internal Medicine, as Emerging Leaders in Hospice and Palliative Care for 2024.
AAHPM asked its more than 5,000 members to nominate individuals who are the best and brightest new leaders in the field. Paulino and Leech were recognized by their peers for innovation in and dedication to the medical specialty of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and the AAHPM.
“These individuals are enhancing care for seriously ill patients and their families through innovatio, education, mentoring, and clinical care,” noted Vicki Jackson, MD, MPH, FAAHPM, president of the 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 help patients and families understand their treatment options and make decisions about their care and provide information on spiritual and psychological services, support for family and caregivers, and grief counseling.
Paulino serves as the associate program director for the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship at McGovern Medical School. He is also a member of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Chronic Care Test Material Development Committee and has been an item writer since 2020.
“This recognition is a humbling reminder that we can make a difference in our patients’ lives with steadfast intent to advocate for high-quality patient care,” he said. “Developing a strong foundation and integrating palliative care earlier into the medical school curriculum is vital to identify unmet needs in patients living with serious illness. I am tremendously honored to receive this award.”
Leech is the director of the Palliative Supportive Team at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, and previously served as the medical director for Memorial Hermann Hospice and Palliative Medicine at Memorial Hermann Hospital Southwest for six years prior to joining the faculty at McGovern Medical School in 2017.
“Being named an emerging leader in Hospice and Palliative Medicine is an invigorating surprise that serves to fuel my drive to reach more people who need these important services and others who need to learn how to provide this type of care,” Leech said. “This award means recognition that the hard work of moving policy, teaching, and caring for patients is noticed and appreciated. I am thrilled to represent my specialty in this way.”
About the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine is the professional organization for physicians specializing in hospice and palliative medicine, as well as nurses, social workers, and other health and spiritual care practitioners committed to improving the quality of life for seriously ill patients and their families. For more than 30 years, AAHPM has been dedicated to expanding access to high-quality palliative care and advancing the discipline of HPM through professional education and training, development of a specialist workforce, support for clinical practice standards, research, and public policy.