Palliative care for children

The palliative care program focuses on improving quality of life and minimizing suffering in medically complex patients. Through aggressive treatment of pain and other troublesome symptoms, we can assist families with medical decision-making concerns. Pediatric palliative care is an emerging medical specialty and we are proud to have the only physician-led pediatric palliative care program in West Michigan.

Palliative care is not end-of-life or hospice care. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage of an illness and can be provided along with treatment meant to cure. Our team works with patients with a variety of conditions, including those with genetic disorders, cancer, prematurity, neurologic disorders, and heart and lung conditions, among others.

Pediatric palliative care is an important part of your child’s care team that is focused on treating the patient as a whole, rather than a specific condition. The goal is to improve quality of life for both your child and your family, by relieving or reducing suffering, whether it is physical, psychological or emotional. Our team works to integrate medical advice from numerous specialties to help support you in determining the right plan of care.

Our comprehensive care includes, but is not limited to:

• Improving quality of life
• Reducing or relieving physical, mental or emotional pain
• Coordinating care for complex patients
• Integrating medical advice from numerous specialties
• Assisting with medical decisions
• Helping address barriers to care