Housing and Development Newsletter
Dr. Michael Kearney, VNA Health’s Palliative Care associate medical director, has been at the forefront of our local Palliative Care movement in Santa Barbara County.
“Palliative Care is focused on what the patient’s needs are,” shares Dr. Kearney. “Yes, the diagnosis or prognosis is important, but that is not our focus. It is about helping the patient feel better, to manage their physical and non-physical symptoms. If they feel well physically, psychologically and spiritually, then their quality of life improves.”
Dr. Kearney’s first experience with palliative care and hospice care was as a medical student in the 1970s.