Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Palliative Care Physician Receives National Recognition

Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital is honored to announce that Martha L. Twaddle, MD, FACP, FAAHPM, who spearheaded the hospital’s palliative care with Midwest CareCenter, was named one of the 30 most influential leaders in the nation in hospice and palliative medicine.

"I am so grateful for the recognition and most importantly, to be able to do the work I love," said Twaddle, chief medical officer at Midwest CareCenter. "My hope is that this recognition shines the light on this essential field and the work of many who serve the very ill and the dying. Any recognition I receive is the blessing of working with an incredible team and treasured colleagues in many areas of healthcare and across the country."

In celebration of 25 years serving the profession, the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) asked its 5,000 members to nominate who they think are the leaders - or Visionaries - in the field. Twaddle is one of 30 physicians, nurses and authors recognized by peers for the important role they played in advancing the medical specialty of hospice and palliative medicine. The Visionaries are physicians, nurses and hospice pioneers such as British physician, nurse and social worker Cicely Saunders, credited with starting the modern hospice movement, and Elisabeth Kübler Ross, author of numerous books including the groundbreaking On Death and Dying.

"This program recognizes key individuals who have been critical in building and shaping our field over the past 25 years," noted Steve R. Smith, AAHPM executive director and CEO. "These individuals represent thousands of other healthcare professionals in this country that provide quality medical care and support for those living with serious illness -- each and every day."

Hospice and palliative care focuses on relieving suffering and improving quality of life for people with serious illnesses. Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital partners with Midwest Palliative & Hospice CareCenter to provide palliative care services to help patients understand their prognosis and the care options available to them. Using this team approach, Midwest CareCenter physicians, advance practice nurses, social workers and chaplains work with Northwestern Lake Forest healthcare professionals and each patient’s personal physician to improve the patient’s quality of life before, during and after treatment. The goal is to relieve and manage patients’ symptoms, coordinate their care and identify supportive services that can help them continue to live well.

Twaddle joined Midwest CareCenter in 1989 as a hospice medical director. Her leadership has helped the organization grow from a small volunteer organization to a world-class leader in quality healthcare services, with a strong focus on education and training for physicians and other healthcare professionals. She is active in research, speaks regularly to local and national groups, and has been published extensively in peer-reviewed articles and other publications on the importance and benefits of hospice and palliative medicine. She has received numerous awards, been appointed to local and national committees, boards and advisory groups related to hospice, palliative care, healthcare, and medical education.

For more information about Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital visit lfh.org.