About the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program
Welcome to the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship training program website. The Division of Hematology-Oncology and Palliative Care at the VCU School of Medicine offers a one-year fellowship training program in hospice and palliative medicine (HPM). Our fellowship program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. There is an additional year of training for select candidates who have successfully completed the one year fellowship available through the advanced hospice and palliative medicine academic/research track.
The HPM fellows will receive comprehensive training through direct patient care in a variety of settings in the VCU Health System (VCUHS) and the Central Virginia VA Health Care System. These opportunities include an up-stream inpatient palliative care unit at VCU, a well-established inpatient hospice at the VA, robust inpatient consultation services at both hospitals, and ample ambulatory opportunities in the VCU supportive care clinics. The VCU Medical Center is a large 1,125-bed tertiary referral center with a full complement of outpatient clinics, and the Central Virginia VA Health Care System is a 399-bed tertiary VA hospital that provides comprehensive outpatient, acute inpatient, and long-term care for veterans. In addition to the opportunities provided at VCU and the VA, HPM fellows will engage in rich community hospice experiences with local hospices.
During their training, fellows are required to participate in scholarly activity and will be provided with mentorship, resources and protected time for these endeavors. Fellows are also directly involved in education of medical students, residents, and fellows.
Welcome
Program Director: Sudeep Pandey, MD
Welcome from the Program Director
Learn
Program Curriculum & Conferences
Curriculum
Program Goals & Objectives
The program goals and objectives for the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship outline a comprehensive, patient-centered, and multifaceted approach to developing the skills and knowledge necessary to provide exceptional care in this specialized field. Each of the following goals and objectives contributes to the growth of the fellow and their practice of palliative medicine.
Knowledge of the Palliative Care Continuum
A thorough understanding of the palliative care system enables fellows to ensure smooth transitions across different care settings, facilitating continuity of care and improving patient outcomes. To understand the continuum of palliative care across various settings, fellows will have dedicated rotations including outpatient, hospice, long-term care, and inpatient care.
Interdisciplinary Team Participation
Effective teamwork is central to palliative care, requiring communication, collaboration, and a holistic approach. Fellows will enhance their ability to work with various professionals to ensure comprehensive care for the patient and family. Fellows will be active contributors in our interdisciplinary team model of care, working across all age groups to address symptom management, coordination of care, and decision-making at the end of life.
Ethical Practice, Professionalism and Psychosocial Understanding
Palliative care often involves complex ethical decisions, including issues of autonomy, justice, and patient rights. Fellows will gain insight into how these ethical concerns shape clinical decisions and the patient’s overall experience. Identifying and addressing the emotional, social, and psychological aspects of care is critical in delivering high quality patient care. Fellows will become familiar with psychosocial issues related to terminal illness, including handling of sensitive decisions, advance directives, resuscitation decisions, and ensuring that patients' and families' values guide care decisions.
Communication Skills
Strong communication skills are vital in navigating difficult conversations, especially when discussing prognosis, end-of-life decisions, and treatment options. Fellows will be trained to manage these conversations with empathy, sensitivity, and clarity to facilitate information exchange and promote shared decision-making in patient care.
Pain and Symptom Management Knowledge
Effective pain and symptom management is foundational to provide high quality supportive care in oncology patients. Fellows will demonstrate extensive knowledge of pain and symptom assessment in cancer patients, including total pain. Fellows will become experts at addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual pain and ensuring a multimodal approach to symptom relief.
Recognizing Non-Medical Opioid Use and Substance Abuse
Navigating opioid use requires a delicate balance of pain management and safeguarding against misuse, particularly in patients with a history of substance abuse. Fellows will learn to recognize non-medical opioid use (NMOU) and substance abuse and to adjust plans appropriately, ensuring safety without compromising care.
Advanced Symptom Management Skills
Fellows will develop expertise in managing the complex needs of patients at the end of life, including those requiring advanced symptom relief techniques that maintain comfort and dignity. Fellows will acquire advanced skills in complex opioid management, delirium management, respiratory distress, and palliative sedation at the end of life.
Scholarly activities
Fostering an environment of lifelong learning and intellectual engagement is crucial in medicine. Palliative care is an evolving field, and the fellows will be encouraged to pursue continuous education, self-assessment, and professional growth. Fellows will be encouraged to stay abreast of new techniques, research, policies, emerging evidence and practices in the field by engaging in various scholarly activities which include didactic curricula, seminars, journal clubs, and case discussions. Fellows will be trained to critically evaluate research and apply evidence-based practices to improve patient care.
Awareness of Death, Grief understanding and Bereavement support
Awareness of personal emotional responses to death and the dying process is important in maintaining professional compassion. Understanding the role of family and caregivers in the patient care process is key to offering comprehensive support. Fellows will learn strategies to manage their own feelings while providing empathetic care to those nearing the end of life so that they can provide best emotional and spiritual care to the family, acknowledging their grief and need for comfort. Palliative care doesn’t end at the time of death; it extends into bereavement support. Fellows will also learn how to guide families through their grief journey with compassion and appropriate resources.
Independent Practitioner in Palliative Medicine, Leadership and Teaching
Ultimately, the goal is for fellows to gain the skills and confidence necessary to practice independently, managing complex cases and providing compassionate care. We also encourage and support different career paths, including research, education, and leadership in the field of palliative medicine. Fellows will be expected to guide and mentor other learners, promoting best practices and contributing to the advancement of the field.
Rotations
Fellows rotate across multiple settings: VCU inpatient unit, VCU inpatient consults, VCU supportive care clinic, VCU telemedicine, the VA inpatient unit, VA inpatient consults, QI block, community hospice, and various electives.
- The VCU inpatient palliative care service cares for up to 12 patients at a time and is centered on the Thomas Palliative Care Unit with an active and dedicated interdisciplinary team focused on providing the best care possible to patients with life-limiting illness and their loved ones. In addition to caring for patients at the end-of-life or those transitioning home for hospice care our unit also provides inpatient hospice services for patients who cannot be safely discharged to an outpatient setting for care.
- The inpatient hospice at the VA, known as Journey’s Way, is a 9-bed unit with a dedicated interdisciplinary team located in the long-term care portion of our VA medical center. This unit provides end-of-life care as well as respite care for veterans and their caregivers.
- Consultation services are hospital-wide in both locations and focus on symptom management and goals of care, as well as identifying patients appropriate for transfer to the inpatient palliative care or hospice unit at VCU and the VA, respectively.
- Outpatient clinic experiences occur in our Supportive Care Clinic at Massey Cancer Center with expanding opportunities for patient care in non-cancer related life limiting illnesses.
Unique Learning Opportunities
- AAHPM Annual Meeting
- Telemedicine
- Project ECHO
- Academic, Community, and VA clinical rotations
- Participation in hospital wide QI projects based on palliative care and ACP
Conferences
Conferences
Orientation Intensives
Time: Monday-Friday, during the first 1- 2 weeks of fellowship
Focus: This intensive orientation conference prepares fellows for the upcoming year, introducing them to fundamental clinical concepts, urgent care issues, and basic skills needed throughout the fellowship.
Practice-Based Learning and Improvement (PBLI)
Time: Wednesday, 12-1pm
Frequency: Weekly
Focus: A didactic series focusing on the essentials of palliative care, such as symptom and psychosocial management, Advance Care Planning, and program administration. It also covers QI initiatives and Hospice-related topics, providing a structured learning environment.
Journal Club
Time: Thursday, 10-11 am
Frequency: Every 2 months
Focus: Fellows discuss journal articles relevant to the field of palliative care. This offers a platform for critical appraisal of literature and encourages evidence-based practice.
Hematology/Oncology and Palliative Care (HOP) Division Grand Rounds
Time: Tuesdays, 5-6pm
Frequency: 3 weeks/month, starting in August
Focus: Grand rounds with presentations from visiting faculty, VCU faculty, and fellows. This conference bridges the gap between hematology/oncology and palliative care, promoting integrated learning on managing serious illnesses.
Internal Medicine Grand Rounds
Time: Thursdays, 12-1pm
Frequency: Weekly
Focus: A broader didactic lecture series hosted by the Department of Internal Medicine, presented by faculty and visiting professors. This includes a wide range of clinical topics, enhancing fellows' general medical knowledge.
Scholarship
Our recent publications, presentations and abstracts
Recent Publications
- Del Fabbro, E.; Pandey, S. (2026) The Role of New Agents and Supportive Care in a Multimodal Approach to Cancer Cachexia. Cancers 2026, 18, 649. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18040649.
- Allen, J. L., & Sterling, R. K. (2025). Palliative care & management of symptoms in advanced liver disease: an expert review. Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 19(5), 515–526. https://doi.org/10.1080/17474124.2025.2491529.
- Kanagalingam G, Allen J, Chin GH, Lee HM. (2025) Palliative care & chronic liver disease: barriers to care, health disparities & the role of health literacy. Ann Palliat Med. 2025 Jul;14(4):353-368. doi: 10.21037/apm-25-15. PMID: 40769731.
- Pandey S, Bradley L, Del Fabbro E. Updates in Cancer Cachexia: Clinical Management and Pharmacologic Interventions. Cancers (Basel). 2024 Apr 27;16(9):1696. doi: 10.3390/cancers16091696. PMID: 38730648; PMCID: PMC11083841.
- Nitai D Mukhopadhyay, Adam Khorasanchi, Sudeep Pandey, Srinidhi Nemani, Gwendolyn Parker, Xiaoyan Deng, Douglas W Arthur, Alfredo Urdaneta, Egidio Del Fabbro, Melatonin Supplementation for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients With Early Stage Breast Cancer Receiving Radiotherapy: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial, The Oncologist, Volume 29, Issue 2, February 2024, Pages e206–e212, https://doi.org/10.1093/oncolo/oyad250.
- Khorasanchi A, Nemani S, Pandey S, Del Fabbro E. Managing Nutrition Impact Symptoms in Cancer Cachexia: A Case Series and Mini Review. Front Nutr. 2022 Mar 3;9:831934. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.831934. PMID: 35308290; PMCID: PMC8928189.
- Rivet EB, Blades CE, Hutson M, Noreika D. Chronic and Sudden Serious Illness, COVID-19, and Decision-Making Capacity: Integrating Advance Care Planning Into the Preoperative Checklist for Elective Surgery. Am Surg. 2020 Nov;86(11):1450-1455. doi: 10.1177/0003134820965957. Epub 2020 Nov 20. PMID: 33213188.
- Rivet EB, Sullivan T, Noreika D. Improving quality in colon and rectal surgery through palliative care. Semin Colon Rectal Surg. 2020 Nov;31(4):100783. doi: 10.1016/j.scrs.2020.100783. Epub 2020 Oct 2. PMID: 33041605; PMCID: PMC7531922.
- Curry Z, Dang M, Sima A, Abdullaziz S, Del Fabbro E. Combination therapy with methadone and duloxetine for cancer-related pain: a retrospective study. Annals of Palliative Medicine APM-20-1455-R2. Accepted for Publication
- Granina E, Kuzhiyil A, Del Fabbro E. A Practical Approach to Assessment and Management of Patients at Risk for Non-medical Opioid Use: a Focus on the Patient with Cancer-Related Pain. Curr Anesthesiol Rep. 2020 Sep 11;10:396-403. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40140-020-00417-2
- Dang M, Noreika D, Ryu S, Sima A, Ashton H, Ondris B, Coley F, Nestler J, Fabbro ED. Feasibility of Delivering an Avatar-Facilitated Life Review Intervention for Patients with Cancer. J Palliat Med. 2020 Sep 3. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2020.0020. PMID: 32896200.
- Roeland EJ, Bohlke K, Baracos VE, Bruera E, Del Fabbro E, Dixon S, Fallon M, Herrstedt J, Lau H, Platek M, Rugo HS, Schnipper HH, Smith TJ, Tan W, Loprinzi CL. Management of Cancer Cachexia: ASCO Guideline. J Clin Oncol. 2020 May 20:JCO2000611. doi: 10.1200/JCO.20.00611. PMID: 32432946.
- Chow R, Bruera E, Arends J, Walsh D, Strasser F, Isenring E, Del Fabbro EG, Molassiotis A, Krishnan M, Chiu L, Chiu N, Chan S, Tang TY, Lam H, Lock M, DeAngelis C. Correction to: Enteral and parenteral nutrition in cancer patients, a comparison of complication rates: an updated systematic review and (cumulative) meta-analysis. Support Care Cancer. 2020 Mar;28(3):1011-1029. doi: 10.1007/s00520-019-05243-9. Erratum for: Support Care Cancer. 2020 Mar;28(3):979-1010. PMID: 31889215.
- Hui D, Paiva CE, Del Fabbro EG, Mori M. Prognostication, palliative care, and patient outcomes (reply to Rossi et al.). Support Care Cancer. 2020 Jan 6:10.1007/s00520-019-05264-4. doi: 10.1007/s00520-019-05264-4. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 31903534.
- Ulker E, Del Fabbro E. Best Practices in the Management of Nonmedical Opioid Use in Patients with Cancer-Related Pain. Oncologist. 2019 Dec 24:10.1634/theoncologist.2019-0540. doi: 10.1634/theoncologist.2019-0540. PMID: 31872911.
- Dev R, Del Fabbro E, Dalal S. Endocrinopathies and cancer cachexia. Curr Opin Support Palliat Care. 2019 Dec;13(4):286-291. doi: 10.1097/SPC.0000000000000464. PMID: 31567482.
- Toma W, Kyte SL, Bagdas D, Jackson A, Meade JA, Rahman F, Chen Z, Del Fabbro E, Cantwell L, Kulkarni A, Thakur GA, Papke RL, Bigbee JW, Gewirtz DA, Damaj MI. The α7 nicotinic receptor silent agonist R-47 prevents and reverses paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy in mice without tolerance or altering nicotine reward and withdrawal. Exp Neurol. 2019 Oct;320:113010. doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2019.113010. Epub 2019 Jul 9.
- May P, Normand C, Del Fabbro E, Fine RL, Morrison RS, Ottewill I, Robinson C, Cassel JB. Economic Analysis of Hospital Palliative Care: Investigating Heterogeneity by Noncancer Diagnoses. MDM Policy Pract. 2019 Sep 10;4(2):2381468319866451. doi: 10.1177/2381468319866451. PMID: 31535032; PMCID: PMC6737878.
- Hui D, Paiva CE, Del Fabbro EG, Steer C, Naberhuis J, van de Wetering M, Fernández-Ortega P, Morita T, Suh SY, Bruera E, Mori M. Prognostication in advanced cancer: update and directions for future research. Support Care Cancer. 2019 Jun;27(6):1973-1984. PMID: 30863893. PMC6500464.
- Del Fabbro E. Combination Therapy in Cachexia. Ann Palliat Med. 2019 Jan;8(1):59-66. Review. PMID: 30180745.
- May P, Garrido MM, Del Fabbro E, Noreika D, Normand C, Skoro N, Cassel JB. Evaluating Hospital Readmissions for Persons With Serious and Complex Illness: A Competing Risks Approach. Med Care Res Rev. 2019 Jan 18:1077558718823919. PMID: 30658539. DOI: 10.1177/1077558718823919
- May P, Normand C, Cassel JB, Del Fabbro E, Fine RL, Menz R, Morrison CA, Penrod JD, Robinson C, Morrison RS. Economics of Palliative Care for Hospitalized Adults With Serious Illness: A Meta-analysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2018 Jun 1;178(6):820-829. PMID: 29710177. PMC6145747
- Rivet EB, Del Fabbro E, Ferrada P. Palliative Care Assessment in the Surgical and Trauma Intensive Care Unit. JAMA Surg. 2018 Mar 1;153(3):280-81. No abstract available. PMID: 29322172.
- May P, Garrido MM, Del Fabbro E, Noreika D, Normand C, Skoro N, Cassel JB. Does Modality Matter? Palliative Care Unit Associated With More Cost-Avoidance Than Consultations. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2018 Mar;55(3):766-774.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2017.08.011. Epub 2017 Aug 23. PMID: 28842218; PMCID: PMC5860672.
- Kyte SL, Toma W, Bagdas D, Meade JA, Schurman LD, Lichtman AH, Chen ZJ, Del Fabbro E, Fang X, Bigbee JW, Damaj MI, Gewirtz DA. Nicotine prevents and reverses paclitaxel-induced mechanical allodynia in a mouse model of CIPN. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2018 Jan;364(1):110-119. Epub 2017 Oct 17. PMID: 29042416.
Older Publications
- Cassel JB, Noreika D. Measurement issues for palliative care programs. In: Coyne P, Bobb B, Plakovic K, eds. Conversations in Palliative Care: Questions and Answers With the Experts, 4th ed. Pittsburgh, PA: Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association; 2017:415-422.
- Orr TA. Psychological issues. In: Coyne P, Bobb B, Plakovic K, eds. Conversations in Palliative Care: Questions and Answers With the Experts, 4th ed. Pittsburgh, PA: Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association; 2017:75-88
- Ferrell BR, Temel JS, Temin S, Alesi ER, Balboni TA, Basch EM, Firn JI, Paice JA, Peppercorn JM, Phillips T, Stovall EL, Zimmermann C, Smith TJ. Integration of Palliative Care Into Standard Oncology Care: American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline Update. J Clin Oncol. 2017 Jan;35(1):96-112.
- Groeneveld EI, Cassel JB, Bausewein C, Csikós Á, Krajnik M, Ryan K, Haugen DF, Eychmueller S, Gudat Keller H, Allan S, Hasselaar J, García-Baquero Merino T, Swetenham K, Piper K, Fürst CJ, Murtagh FE. Funding models in palliative care: Lessons from an international experience. Palliat Med. 2017 Apr;31(4):296-305. doi: 10.1177/0269216316689015. Epub 2017 Feb 3.
- May P, Garrido MM, Cassel JB, Kelley AS, Meier DE, Normand C, Smith TJ, Morrison RS. Cost analysis of a prospective multi-site cohort study of palliative care consultation teams for adults with advanced cancer: Where do cost-savings come from? Palliat Med. 2017 Apr;31(4):378-386. doi: 10.1177/0269216317690098. Epub 2017 Feb 3.
- McCaffrey N, Cassel JB, Coast J. An economic view on the current state of the economics of palliative and end-of-life care. Palliat Med. 2017 Apr;31(4):291-292. doi: 10.1177/0269216317695677. No abstract available.
- Toma W, Kyte SL, Bagdas D, Alkhlaif Y, Alsharari SD, Lichtman AH, Chen ZJ, Del Fabbro E, Bigbee JW, Gewirtz DA, Damaj MI. Effects of paclitaxel on the development of neuropathy and affective behaviors in the mouse. Neuropharmacology. 2017 May 1;117:305-315. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.02.020. Epub 2017 Feb 22.
- May P, Garrido MM, Aldridge MD, Cassel JB, Kelley AS, Meier DE, Normand C, Penrod JD, Smith TJ, Morrison RS. Prospective Cohort Study of Hospitalized Adults With Advanced Cancer: Associations Between Complications, Comorbidity, and Utilization. J Hosp Med. 2017 Jun;12(6):407-413. doi: 10.12788/jhm.2745.
- Rauenzahn S, Sima A, Cassel B, Noreika D, Gomez TH, Ryan L, Wolf CE, Legakis L, Del Fabbro E. Urine drug screen findings among ambulatory oncology patients in a supportive care clinic. Support Care Cancer. 2017 Jun;25(6):1859-1864. doi: 10.1007/s00520-017-3575-1. Epub 2017 Jan 25.
- Rivet EB, Ferrada P, Albrecht T, Cassel JB, Broering B, Noreika D, Del Fabbro E. Characteristics of palliative care consultation at an academic level one trauma center. Am J Surg. 2017 Jun 28. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2017.06.010. [Epub ahead of print]
- Ford TR, Cummings RC, Cassel JB. Concerns about cost of future medical care as a factor in advance care planning: Review and agenda for future research. Cancer Forum https://cancerforum.org.au/forum/2017/july/concerns-about-cost-of-future-medical-care-as-a-factor-in-advance-care-planning-review-and-agenda-for-future-research/
- O'Connor K. "'I could not be happier in my life ... and that's what makes all this so sad': Woman grapples with reality of cancer diagnosis as surgeons remove her tumor" Available at: http://www.richmond.com/life/health/i-could-not-be-happier-in-my-life-and-that/article_0a3b883d-f7ba-54c1-97fa-7e926b4b2045.html [lay press article]
- O'Connor K. 'Why do I want to do chemo?" As Carole Johnson struggles with a decision to treat cancer, her heart is in the balance. Available at: http://www.richmond.com/why-do-i-want-to-do-chemo-as-carole-johnson/article_f229d3b1-2d3c-58c1-bff6-c3f7b552b3bb.html [lay press article]
- Kulaylat AS, Rivet EB, Hollenbeak CS, Stewart DB Sr. Palliative therapy for stage IV rectal adenocarcinoma: how frequently is it used? J Surg Res. 2017 Oct;218:1-8.
- Rivet EB, Ferrada P, Albrecht T, Cassel JB, Broering B, Noreika D, Del Fabbro E. Characteristics of palliative care consultation at an academic level one trauma center. Am J Surg. 2017 Oct;214(4):657-660. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2017.06.010. Epub 2017 Jun 28.
- Walton AL, Albrecht TA, Lux L, Judge Santacroce S. Social Media: Support for Survivors and Young Adults with Cancer. Social Media: Support for Survivors and Young Adults with Cancer. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2017 Oct 1;21(5):537-540.
- Albrecht TA, Boyiadzis M, Elswick RK Jr, Starkweather A, Rosenzweig M. Symptom Management and Psychosocial Needs of Adults With Acute Myeloid Leukemia During Induction Treatment: A Pilot Study. Cancer Nurs. 2017 Nov/Dec;40(6):E31-E38.
- Del Fabbro E, Orr TA, Stella SM. Practical approaches to managing cancer patients with weight loss. Curr Opin Support Palliat Care. 2017 Dec;11(4):272-277.
- Coyne, P., & Bobb, B. (2018). Pain Management and Palliative care. In Czarnecki, M & Turner, H (Eds.), Core Curriculum for Pain Management Nursing (3rd ed.), 438-57. St Louis: Elsevier Publications.
- Courtright KR, Cassel JB, Halpern SD. A Research Agenda for High-Value Palliative Care. Ann Intern Med. 2018 Jan 2;168(1):71-72. doi: 10.7326/M17-2164. Epub 2017 Nov 14.
- Courtright KR, Cassel JB, Halpern SD. A Research Agenda for High-Value Palliative Care. Ann Intern Med. 2018 Jan 2;168(1):71-72. doi: 10.7326/M17-2164. Epub 2017 Nov 14. No abstract available.
- Kyte SL, Toma W, Bagdas D, Meade JA, Schurman LD, Lichtman AH, Chen ZJ, Del Fabbro E, Fang X, Bigbee JW, Damaj MI, Gewirtz DA. Nicotine prevents and reverses paclitaxel-induced mechanical allodynia in a mouse model of CIPN. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2018 Jan;364(1):110-119. Epub 2017 Oct 17. PMCID: PMC5738719
- Cassel JB, Bowman B, Rogers M, Spragens LH, Meier DE; Palliative Care Leadership Centers. Palliative Care Leadership Centers Are Key To The Diffusion Of Palliative Care Innovation. Health Aff (Millwood). 2018 Feb;37(2):231-239. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2017.1122.
- May P, Garrido MM, Del Fabbro E, Noreika D, Normand C, Skoro N, Cassel JB. Does Modality Matter? Palliative Care Unit Associated With More Cost-Avoidance Than Consultations. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2017 Aug 23. [Epub ahead of print] 2018 Mar;55(3):766-774.e4.
- Rivet EB, Del Fabbro E, Ferrada P. Palliative Care Assessment in the Surgical and Trauma Intensive Care Unit. JAMA Surg. 2018 Mar 1;153(3);280-81. No abstract available
- May P, Normand C, Cassel JB, Del Fabbro E, Fine RL, Menz R, Morrison CA, Penrod JD, Robinson C, Morrison RS. Economics of Palliative Care for Hospitalized Adults With Serious Illness: A Meta-analysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2018 Apr 30. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.0750.
- Bruera E, Del Fabbro E. Pain Management in the Era of the Opioid Crisis. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book. 2018 May 23;(38):807-812. doi: 10.1200/EDBK_208563.
- Cassel JB, Albrecht TA. Emerging Models of Providing Oncology Palliative Care. Semin Oncol Nurs. 2018 Aug;34(3):202-214. doi: 10.1016/j.soncn.2018.06.002. Epub 2018 Aug 9. Review.
- Del Fabbro E. Combination Therapy in Cachexia. Ann Palliat Med. 2019 Jan;8(1):59-66. doi: 10.21037/apm.2018.08.05. Epub 2018 Aug 27. Review.
- May P, Cassel JB. Economic outcomes in palliative and end-of-life care: current state of affairs. Ann Palliat Med. 2018 Oct;7(Suppl 3):S244-S248. doi: 10.21037/apm.2018.06.06. Epub 2018 Jul 15.
- May P, Garrido MM, Del Fabbro E, Noreika D, Normand C, Skoro N, Cassel JB. Evaluating Hospital Readmissions for Persons With Serious and Complex Illness: A Competing Risks Approach. Med Care Res Rev. 2019 Jan 18:1077558718823919. doi: 10.1177/1077558718823919. [Epub ahead of print]
- Albrecht TA, Keim-Malpass J, Boyiadzis M, Rosenzweig M. Psychosocial Experiences of Young Adults Diagnosed With Acute Leukemia During Hospitalization for Induction Chemotherapy Treatment. J Hosp Palliat Nurs. 2019 Apr;21(2):167-173. doi: 10.1097/NJH.0000000000000545.
- Stephens SL, Cassel JB, Noreika D, Del Fabbro E. Palliative Care for Inmates in the Hospital Setting. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2019 Apr;36(4):321-325. doi: 10.1177/1049909118811899. Epub 2018 Nov 14.
- Hui D, Paiva CE, Del Fabbro EG, Steer C, Naberhuis J, van de Wetering M, Fernández-Ortega P, Morita T, Suh SY, Bruera E, Mori M. Prognostication in advanced cancer: update and directions for future research. Support Care Cancer. 2019 Jun;27(6):1973-1984. doi: 10.1007/s00520-019-04727-y. Epub 2019 Mar 13. Review.
Life During Fellowship
Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship
Vacation Time
Fellows are entitled to three weeks of vacation time per year, allowing for a healthy work-life balance.
Night Coverage
Fellows take call from home for palliative care patients, with backup from attending physicians. This reduces the need for in-house call and ensures fellows have time for personal rest.
GME Resident & Fellow Well-Being
Graduate Medical Education training is not easy. With the GME Physician Well-being program, we first and foremost assert our commitment to your well-being, resilience and all aspects of a healthy lifestyle. VCU and VCUHealth are dedicated to ensuring that you have the tools you need to be your best. (Learn more)
All About VCU, VCUHealth, and RVA
First things first. We fondly refer to Richmond as RVA. People love this city because it’s awesome. And Virginia Commonwealth University is in the middle of it all. Learn more about VCU, VCUHealth, and RVA!
Program Leadership
Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship
Sudeep Pandey, MD
Program Director
Sudeep Pandey, MD
Program Director
Internal Medicine
Division of Hematology, Oncology & Palliative Medicine
Email: sudeep.pandey@vcuhealth.org
Renato G. Martins, MD, MPH
Division Chief
Renato G. Martins, MD, MPH
Division Chief
Internal Medicine
Division of Hematology, Oncology & Palliative Medicine
Email: renato.martins@vcuhealth.org
Faculty
Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship
VCU Faculty
- Jessica Allen, DO
- Daniel Cannone, DO - Fellowship Associate Program Director
- Yuya Hagiwara, MD - Palliative Medicine Section Chief
- Anita Kuzhiyil, MD
- James O’Connor, MD
- Sudeep Pandey, MD- Fellowship Program Director
- Emily Rivet, MD
- Meghan Townsend, DO
VA Faculty
- Srivani Angadala, MD - Faculty in palliative medicine at CVVHCS
- Stephanie Stephens, DO – Central Virginia VA Health Care System (CVVHCS) site director
Interdisciplinary Faculty
- Andrea Barton, Palliative Care Nurse Clinician
- Naomi Kiragu Blakey, Palliative Care Unit Nurse Manager
- Bart Bobb, Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner
- Jason Callahan, Palliative Care Chaplain
- Felicia “Hope” Coley, Palliative Care Nurse Navigator
- Brenna McCarty, Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner
VCU Faculty
Jessica Allen, DO
- Role: Core faculty in palliative medicine
- Contribution: Dr. Allen's role involves teaching comprehensive patient assessment and advanced care planning. She is working with integrating Palliative care with our Hepatology teams.
Daniel Cannone, DO
- Role: Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, Hospice and Palliative Medicine
- Contribution: Dr. Cannone is fellowship Associate program director and mentors’ fellows in the pediatric population.
Yuya Hagiwara, MD
- Role: Palliative Medicine Section Chief
- Contribution: Dr Hagiwara serves as section chief of palliative medicine, providing clinical leadership and oversight for the section’s patient care, education and program development initiatives.
Anita Kuzhiyil, MD
- Role: Core faculty in palliative medicine
- Contribution: Dr. Kuzhiyil is assistant medical director for outpatient service. She helps guide fellows in developing both clinical and communication skills necessary for delivering compassionate care in outpatient and inpatient settings.
James O’Connor, MD
- Role: A Pulmonologist and Critical Care specialist who is also fellowship trained and board certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
- Contribution: Dr. O'Connor helps guide fellows by providing mentorship, clinical and didactic education.
Sudeep Pandey, MD - Program Director, Hospice & Palliative Care
- Role: Medical Director for Palliative Education.
- Contribution: Dr. Pandey oversees clinical training, scholarly activities, curriculum development and mentorship for future medical students, residents, and fellows. His expertise includes symptom management in patients with advanced cancer, end-of-life care and respiratory distress, and advancing evidence-based approaches to palliative medicine.
Emily Rivet, MD
- Role: A Colon and Rectal Surgeon who is also fellowship trained and board certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
- Contribution: Dr. Rivet is the Co-Chair of the Palliative Care Committee and a member of the Opioid Task Force of the American College of Surgeons. She is Chair of the Promotions and Advancement Committee for the VCU School of Medicine.
Meghan Townsend, DO
- Role: Medical Director for Hospice
- Contribution: Dr. Townsend contributes to fellow education regarding Hospice care and inpatient unit.
VAMC Faculty
Srivani Angadala, MD
- Role : Faculty in palliative medicine at CVHCS
- Contribution: Dr. Angadala is an experienced faculty member and dedicated mentor for fellows at CVHCS. She emphasizes empathy, clarity in complex discussions, and excellence in managing both oncology and chronic illnesses, ensuring fellows are well-prepared to support patients and families for delivering high quality care.
Stephanie Stephens, DO – Central Virginia VA Health Care System (CVVHCS) - site director
- Role: Medical Director at the CVVHCS, specializing in hospice and palliative care.
- Contribution: Dr. Stevens plays a key role in overseeing the hospice and palliative care services at the CVVHCS site, offering leadership and expertise to fellows working in this setting.
Interdisciplinary Team members
The interdisciplinary team plays a vital role in providing holistic, patient-centered care. Fellows work closely with these professionals to ensure a collaborative approach to patient care:
Andrea Barton, Palliative Care Nurse Clinician
- Andrea provides guidance on nursing care in palliative settings and works closely with fellows to enhance their understanding of the nursing perspective in symptom management.
Naomi Kiragu Blakey, Palliative Care Unit manager
- Naomi helps fellows understand the interdisciplinary nature of palliative care, focusing on clinical assessments and treatment plans.
Bart Bobb, Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner
- Bart works with fellows to improve their clinical skills in symptom management, assessment, and patient care, particularly in an interdisciplinary setting. Educated on ethical aspects and palliative sedation.
Jason Callahan, Palliative Care Chaplain
- Jason plays an essential role in teaching fellows about the spiritual and emotional dimensions of care, helping them provide compassionate support to patients of all faiths.
Felicia “Hope” Coley, Palliative Care Nurse Navigator
- Hope offers fellows insight into patient and family support, helping them navigate the emotional and logistical aspects of palliative care.
Brenna McCarty, Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner
- Brenna provides additional insight to fellows, on managing complex cancer patients with SUD both in outpatient and inpatient settings.
Fellows
Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship
Class of 2027
Husham Hashim, MBBChB
Medical School: University of Kufa College of Medicine, Kufa, Iraq
Residency: University of Central Florida / HCA Healthcare GME, Gainesville, FL
Charity Miles, DO
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Auburn Campus Auburn, AL
Residency: McLeod Regional Medical Center Program, Florence, SC
Alumni
Alumni
Class of 2026
Medical School: Amala Institute of Medical Sciences, India
Residency: Unity Hospital/Rochester Regional Health, Rochester, NY
Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
Residency: Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University/Detroit Receiving Hospital, Detroit, MI
Class of 2025
Katherine Dobrovolny, MD
Medical School: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine
Residency: Billings Clinic
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Virginia Campus
Residency: WakeMed Health and Hospitals
Class of 2024
Medical School: Louisiana State University School of Medicine Shreveport
Residency: University of Mississippi Medical Center
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine- Virginia Campus
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University Health System
Medical School: Robert Lamar, MD College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
Residency: University of Maryland
Fellowship: Emergency Medicine University of Maryland
Medical School: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Advocate Lutheran General Family Medicine
Class of 2023
Jessica Lee Allen, DO
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Virginia Campus
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University
Zainab Fatima, MBBS
Medical School: Shifa College of Medicine
Residency: East Tennessee State University, Quillen College of Medicine
Eashwar Swamy, MD
Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine
Residency: Virtua Family Medicine Residency
Class of 2022
Bronwyn Bridge, MD
Medical School: University of Kansas School of Medicine
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems
Faryal Shahab Malick, MD
Medical School: Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University Health System
Adam Robert Rossi, MD
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems Pediatric Residency
Class of 2021
Evgenia Granina, MD, MBA
Medical School: Albany Medical School
Residency: Temple University Hospital
Meghan McAlice, DO
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso
Sudeep Pandey, MBBS
Medical School: Armed Forces Medical School
Residency: University of Maryland, Capital Region Health, Prince George's Hospital Center
Faten Ragaban, MD
Medical School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University
Class of 2020
Leah Couture, MD
Medical School: University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
Anita T.T. Kuzhiyil, MD
Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine, West Indies, Grenada
Residency: Roger Williams Medical Center, Providence, RI
Sarah Ebbers West, MD
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School of the Medical College of Hampton Roads, Norfolk, VA
Residency: Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
Paul Zelensky, MD
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
Residency: The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Brooklyn, NY
Class of 2019
Nikhita Ananthula, MD
Medical School: Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Residency: Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, NY
Gary DeRusso, MD
Medical School: Albany Medical College
Residency: Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook, NY
Meredith Lynne Pickett, DO
Medical School: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: St. Vincent’s East, Birmingham, AL
Elizabeth Fiscus Waring, MD
Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems, Richmond, VA
Class of 2018
Elizabeth Brawner, MD
Medical School: University of Queensland School of Medicine
Residency: Family Medicine, Chippenham and Johnston –Willis Hospitals Program
Lindsey Hunt, MD
Medical School : Medical University of South Carolina
Residency: Family Medicine, McLeod Regional Medical Center Program
Mary Lucchesi Ogedegbe, MD
Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine
Srivani Ravi, MBBS
Medical School: Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences
Residency: Internal Medicine, St. Barnabas Hospital Program
Class of 2017
Katy Brennan, MD
Medical School: Emory University
Residency: Internal Medicine, University of North Carolina
Yeow Hooi Lim, MD
Medical School: American University of Antigua College of Medicine
Residency: Internal Medicine, Nassau University Medical Center Program
Vinay Rao, DO
Medical School: A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
Residency: Internal Medicine, University of Connecticut
Stephanie Stephens, DO
Medical School: Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University
Other Alumni
Lakeshia Entzminer, MD
Medical School: Meharry Medical College School of Medicine
Residency: University of South Alabama, Internal Medicine
Fellowship: Geriatric Medicine at Palmetto Health/University of South Carolina
Kelly Lastrapes, MD
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University
Residency: Pediatrics, Louisiana State Unviersity
Fellowship: Pediatric Hematology/Oncolgoy, Virginia Commonwealth University
James O'Conner, MD
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University
Residency: Internal Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University
Emily Rivet, MD
Medical School: Washington University
Residency: General Surgery at Barnes-Jewish Hospital
Fellowship: Colon and Rectal Surgery at Barnes-Jewish Hospital
Jason Zeidan, MD
Medical School: St. Matthew's University School of Medicine
Residency: Family Medicine at Wayne State University
Alicia Bond, MD
Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ
Residency: Emergency Medicine at Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME
Teny Henry Gomez, MBBS
Medical School: Medical College Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
Residency: Internal Medicine at John H Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, IL
Anson Pham, MD
Medical School - St. Christopher Iba M ar Diop College of Medicine, Luton, England
Residency: Internal Medicine at Carilion Clinic, Hopewell, VA
Fellowship: Geriatric Medicine at Carilion Clinic, Hopewell, VA
Cheryl Denick, MD, JD
Medical School: Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
Residency: Emergency Medicine at Christiana Care Health Services Program, Wilmington, DE
James Fletcher, MD
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA
Residency: Internal Medicine at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Portsmouth, VA
Aziza Kamani, MD
Medical School: St. Geroge’s University, St. George, Grenada
Residency: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
Sherri Rauenzahn, MD
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Residency: West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
Apply
Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants for the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship Training Program must be graduates of an ACGME-accredited residency program in one of the following specialties: Internal Medicine, Radiation Oncology, Psychiatry, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Emergency Medicine, Anesthesiology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Surgery, Family Medicine and Neurology. Physicians from other specialties such as Radiology and Pathology may be considered on an individual basis.
How to Apply
The Hospice and Palliative Medicine fellowship training program at VCU is a participant in the NRMP Match. All applications will be accepted through Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and follow ERAS deadlines.
Required Documentation
- Application
- Curriculum Vitae
- USMLE score reports
- Medical School transcripts
- A personal statement
- An evaluation from your program director
- 3 letters of recommendation
- A photograph
If applicable, please provide the following:
- A notarized copy of your ECFMG certificate
- A notarized copy of your Medical School Diploma (with translation if necessary)
- Front and back of permanent residency card or IAP-66
Application Timeline
Interviews for the upcoming year will take place from August through September 2026.
Attention: To best support our applicants, we will continue to offer flexible interview options, including virtual interviews. After virtual interviews, there may be an opportunity for a future on-site visit. Please be aware that the interview schedule may be adjusted as we approach late summer and fall.
Contacts
Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship
Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship
Department of Internal Medicine
Box 980230
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0230
Program Director
Sudeep Pandey, MD
Phone: (804) 828-9723
Email: sudeep.pandey@vcuhealth.org
Program Coordinator
Karen Carr, MD
VCU School of Medicine
Department of Internal Medicine
Box 980509
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0509
Phone: (804) 828-1444
Email: imfellowships@vcuhealth.org
For training verification requests, please visit us at https://intmed.vcu.edu/education/verification/