Staff

A Cohesive and Supportive Team Environment

Join a close-knit, interdisciplinary team that has cultivated an exceptional working relationship built on mutual respect, open communication, and shared commitment to excellence. Led by Dr. Andrew Kamell, who brings over 20 years of palliative medicine experience and fellowship training, this team has created a collaborative environment where everyone's input is valued and professional growth is encouraged. Unlike many healthcare settings where team dynamics can be challenging or hierarchical, this group operates with a refreshing openness and genuine camaraderie that makes coming to work a pleasure.

The core team consists of carefully selected professionals who complement each other's strengths and share a common philosophy of patient-centered care. Your nurse colleague brings 16 years of nursing experience, including an extensive background in end-of-life care at the renowned Riker Pavilion, and serves as the program coordinator. Her natural ability with difficult conversations and passion for mentoring creates an environment where learning and growth flourish. The team's physician assistant, Peter, transitioned from a successful surgical career specifically to join this palliative care program, bringing valuable clinical experience and a fresh perspective on patient care.

• Medical Director: Dr. Andrew Kamell, fellowship-trained palliative medicine physician with extensive experience in both academic and community settings
• Interdisciplinary Support: Dedicated registered nurse serving as program coordinator, experienced physician assistant, clinical social worker, and actively involved chaplain services
• Collaborative Culture: Team members who communicate directly, give constructive feedback, and work through challenges together without taking issues personally
• Shared Values: Group aligned on ethical, philosophical, and clinical approaches to palliative care, creating seamless patient experiences
• Teaching Environment: Residents and fellows regularly rotate through the service, contributing to the dynamic learning atmosphere
• Administrative Support: Full backing from hospital leadership including the Chief Medical Officer, with dedicated clinic management through the Cancer Center

The team's approach to problem-solving is refreshingly direct and professional. When issues arise, they're addressed openly and constructively, with everyone focused on finding solutions rather than assigning blame. This healthy communication style extends to patient care decisions, where different perspectives are welcomed and clinical protocols are continuously refined based on team input and best practices. The group has established templates and workflows that ensure consistency while remaining flexible enough to accommodate individual physician preferences and evolving best practices.

What makes this team particularly special is their commitment to both excellence and enjoyment in their work. Despite dealing with serious illnesses and difficult situations daily, they maintain their sense of humor and support each other through challenging cases. The chaplain services are exceptionally robust, with the program expanding from one to five full-time chaplains and even starting a chaplain fellowship program, providing comprehensive spiritual support for both patients and staff.

You'll find yourself working alongside colleagues who are genuinely invested in the program's success and your professional development. The team actively seeks input on clinical approaches, encourages innovation, and provides the kind of collegial support that makes practicing medicine both rewarding and sustainable. This is a place where your expertise will be valued, your ideas will be heard, and your contribution will make a meaningful difference in both patient outcomes and team dynamics.