Palliative Care

Administrative Office Location

1201 Sam Perry Blvd., Suite 215
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
P: 540.741.3111
F: 540.741.2331
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Palliative care is a specialized approach to managing the symptoms of serious illnesses while also addressing the psychosocial and spiritual needs of patients and their caregivers. It encompasses comprehensive treatment for the discomfort, symptoms, and stress associated with serious illnesses, working alongside your primary treatment.

The primary goal of palliative care is to alleviate distressing symptoms like pain, breathing difficulties, or nausea in the context of life-limiting illnesses. Receiving palliative care doesn't necessarily indicate end-of-life care; it aims to prevent and alleviate suffering while enhancing your quality of life.

How Palliative Care Can Help

At Mary Washington Palliative Care we have a skilled compassionate team of healthcare professionals trained in this special area of medicine.

Palliative care strives to provide you with:

• Expert management of symptoms related to serious illness.
• Open discussions about treatment options, including disease management and symptom control.
• Coordination of your care with all of your healthcare providers.
• Emotional support for you and your family.

Our interdisciplinary team of health care professionals is available to support patients and families, providing a complete approach to care; a team approach to patient-centered care.

Palliative care is provided by a team of specialists that include:

• Nationally certified palliative care doctors
• Nationally certified palliative care nurse practitioners
• Palliative social workers
• Board-certified healthcare chaplains

What we do:

• Family meetings to discuss the way forward
• Inpatient consultation
• Explaining medical information in plain language
• Symptom management
• Spiritual counseling
• Emotional counseling
• Education for patients, families, the community, and staff

When to Consider Palliative Care

Adults and children dealing with illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease, kidney failure, AIDS, cystic fibrosis, dementia, among others, often experience physical symptoms and emotional distress associated with their conditions or medical treatments.

You may want to consider palliative care if you or your loved one:

• Suffers from pain or other symptoms due to serious illness.
• Experiences physical or emotional pain.
• Need help understanding your situation and coordinating your care.

Paying for Palliative Care

Most insurance plans cover all or part of palliative care treatment you receive in the hospital, just as they would other services. Medicare and Medicaid also typically cover palliative care.

Outpatient Palliative Medicine Clinic

Services Provided:

• Complex pain / symptom management related to serious or life-limiting illness
• Advanced care planning / advanced directive paperwork (living wills, mPOA forms)
• Complex medical decisions, especially concerning the use of life-sustaining treatments
• Support for complex family systems dealing with serious illnesses
• Psychosocial assessment and support (partnering with other community providers and referral to community resources)
• Spiritual support (bereavement support, chaplain support)
• Care site planning and care coordination for seriously ill / dying patients
• Medication reconciliation and management in patients with life-limiting illness
• Planning for end-of-life care (hospice discussion and referrals)

Not accepting:

• Pain NOT related to a life-limiting illness
• Sickle cell disease management/pain
• Addiction/substance use disorder
• Mental illness as the primary diagnosis
• Chronic wounds
• Patients without a Primary Care Provider

Meet Our Team

Physician: Stephanie Anderson, DO

Nurse Practitioners: Jennifer Thompson, NP; Judith Albert, NP; Rachel Butler, NP; Heather Kellam, NP; Ryen Butler, NP

Palliative Counselors: John Croner, LCSW and Moira Shuhart, MSW

Clinical Manager: Carole Griffin RN, BSN, CHPN

We are here to provide compassionate palliative care, addressing your unique needs and enhancing your overall well-being.