American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine

The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) is a professional organization for physicians specializing in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, headquartered in Chicago, IL. Membership is open to all health care providers committed to improving the care of patients with serious or life-threatening illnesses. AAHPM has nearly 5,000 members; 82 percent are physicians, 12 percent are nurses or other health care providers and 6 percent are residents or students.

AAHPM started a patient website to help educate the public on the importance of hospice and palliative care.

Background

AAHPM was founded in 1988, with 250 charter members, as the Academy of Hospice Physicians (The Academy). Josefina B. Magno, MD, president of the International Hospice Institute and Gerald Holman, MD, director of St. Anthony’s Hospice and Life Enrichment Center met to discuss the formation of The Academy.

During the next few years, members worked to build the association by educating people on the importance of hospice care through newsletters and position statements. The Academy worked on publishing a quarterly newsletter and a physician self-study series. In 1994, The Academy was awarded a grant from the National Cancer Institute to develop a book series.