Reframing Pediatric Palliative Care Through Compassionate, Family Centered Support with Dr. Carla Cangemi

Dr. Carla Cangemi, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at St. Mary's Healthcare System for Children, joins Laura Deirda on the Becker's Healthcare Podcast to discuss the rebranding of their palliative care program to 'Compassionate Care.' The shift was driven by the need to overcome the stigma and misconceptions surrounding palliative care, which families often associated solely with end-of-life care. By reframing the program with a more empathetic, family-centered approach, St. Mary's has created a holistic, multidisciplinary model that supports children with chronic and life-limiting conditions at every stage of their journey. The program includes four levels of care, each symbolized by an animal character—teddy bear, rabbit, turtle, and butterfly—to provide emotional comfort and reduce anxiety. A key innovation is the use of a standardized assessment tool that helps families understand their child’s condition and care pathway, improving communication and trust. The program also extends support to siblings and caregivers through dedicated social work, child life services, and therapeutic activities, ensuring the entire family unit is nurtured. Dr. Cangemi emphasizes that compassionate care can begin at diagnosis and continue alongside curative treatment, fostering hope, peace, and informed decision-making.