Saratoga Hospital Expands Palliative Care Services
John Pezzulo. Photo provided.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Dr. John Pezzulo has been tapped to lead Saratoga Hospital’s community-based palliative care program to meet increased outpatient demand for these services. A longtime primary care provider, Pezzulo also is certified as a hospice medical director.
“More and more patients are living with one or more serious illnesses,” said Dr. Richard Falivena, vice president and chief medical and physician integration officer at Saratoga Hospital. “Palliative care can have a dramatic, positive impact on their quality of life and that of their families.
“Dr. Pezzulo has invaluable experience in this medical specialty, including many years as the cancer liaison physician on our Cancer Control Committee,” Falivena added. “Our community will benefit enormously from his expertise and compassion.”
Palliative care specialists focus on helping patients and their families meet the challenges of serious illness. Providers work with patients to prevent and manage pain, other symptoms, and treatment side effects, as well as to address patients’ emotional, social, practical and spiritual concerns.
Saratoga Hospital has long offered palliative care to patients during their hospital stay. Adding Pezzulo to the palliative care team enables the hospital to expand these services to outpatients.
A graduate of New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pezzulo completed an internship at Interfaith Medical Center in Brooklyn and a residency at the former St. Clare’s Hospital in Schenectady. He is certified by the Hospice Medical Director Certification Board and the American Board of Family Medicine, with subspecialty certification in hospice and palliative medicine. Pezzulo also is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
He sees patients at Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Outpatient Palliative Care at Saratoga Hospital Medical Offices – Wesley, 119 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs. To make an appointment, call 518-886-5060. For more information go to SaratogaHospital.org.