Dr. Gordon Wood of Lake Bluff named 'Top 40 Under 40'

Midwest CareCenter Associate Medical Director Gordon Wood, MD, was named an inspirational leader in hospice and palliative medicine under the age of 40 by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM).

“It is an incredible honor to be named to the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine’s list of Inspirational Leaders Under 40,” Dr. Wood said. “This represents recognition for the hard work we’ve done to provide training to clinicians both at Midwest CareCenter and nationally in an effort to ensure that every patient in need receives world-class care when facing a serious illness. Our goal is to make sure that those with life-threatening diseases receive care in keeping with their wishes and that any pain or suffering they are experiencing is expertly managed to give each patient the best quality of life each and every day. The amazing accomplishments of the leaders with whom I share this award gives me confidence that we will be able to meet these needs for our patients.”

AAHPM asked its 5,000 members to nominate individuals who are the young leaders in the field. Dr. Wood is one of these physicians recognized by his peers for innovation in and dedication to the medical specialty of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and AAHPM.

“These individuals are enhancing care for seriously ill patients and their families through innovation, education, mentoring and clinical care,” noted Jean S. Kutner, MD MSPH FAAHPM, president of the Academy.

Hospice and palliative medicine focus on improving quality of life and relieving pain and other symptoms in seriously ill patients. Palliative care serves patients who continue to receive treatments to try to cure or control their disease, regardless of their prognosis. Hospice is a specific type of palliative care for patients whose life expectancy is likely to be six months or less. Hospice and palliative care also help patients and their families understand treatment options and make decisions about care, while providing information on spiritual and psychosocial services, support for family, and grief counseling.

“Dr. Wood is a great physician, and his passion and dedication to his work is truly an inspiration to all of us here at Midwest CareCenter,” says Jamie O’Malley, MS, RN, president and CEO of Midwest. We are so pleased that he is being recognized for his work to this field and the special needs of the very ill and dying. This is well deserved recognition.”

Dr. Wood will be recognized for this honor during a leadership reception February.

Dr. Wood also serves as Midwest CareCenter’s Martha L. Twaddle, MD, Chair in Palliative Medicine, focusing on medical education and research. He is the Director of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital and is an Assistant Professor in the Section of Palliative Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

He received his medical degree from the University of Chicago and completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. He subsequently completed a palliative medicine fellowship at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, while he also received a master’s degree from Northwestern in the science of clinical investigation.

More information on this Award, including the list of the award winners is on the Academy’s website www.aahpm.org.

About Midwest Palliative & Hospice CareCenter

As one of the first 50 hospices in the U.S., Midwest CareCenter provides hospice and palliative care services to patients and their families in 150 communities. The organization has a long history as an award-winning innovator in healthcare, provided where the patient resides, in our world-class Hospice Pavilion in Glenview, or in our Hospice Suite at Northwest Community Hospital. Midwest CareCenter has earned the American Hospital Association Circle of Life Award and has been named a Top 100 Workplace by The Chicago Tribune for the past three years. Learn more at www.carecenter.org.

About AAHPM

The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) is the professional organization for physicians specializing in Hospice and Palliative Medicine. AAHPM’s 5,000 members also include nurses and other healthcare providers who are committed to improving the quality of life of seriously ill patients and their families. For more than 25 years, the Academy has been dedicated to expanding access of patients and families to high quality palliative care, and advancing the discipline of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, through professional education and training, development of a specialist workforce, support for clinical practice standards, research and public policy. Learn more at www.aahpm.org.

AAHPM Contact: Laura Davis

847-375-4890 or ldavis@aahpm.org

Midwest CareCenter Contact: Elisabeth Mistretta

847-556-1739 or emistretta@carecenter.org