Hospice Welcomes Full-time Medical Director

Catskill Area & Palliative Care is pleased to announce that on July 22, 2009, Dr. Patrick Dwyer was appointed as our first full-time Medical Director and Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Dwyer will be responsible for overseeing the medical aspects of our patient’s care and will serve as liaison with members of our local medical community.

Dr. Dwyer has been affiliated with Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care since 1989 when he became an Associate Medical Director and volunteered to attend interdisciplinary team meetings and perform patient consultations as needed. Dr. Dwyer cited that the people at hospice attracted him to joining our team. He stated, “We have a unique combination--a talented group of people that not only offer a great service but that have a lot of love and a lot of heart.”

Dr. Dwyer is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology, and Hematology. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame, and his medical degree from Washington University (St. Louis). Dr. Dwyer completed his medical residency at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Dwyer also trained as a Clinical Associate at the National Institutes of Health in the National Cancer Institute. He completed his medical oncology training and hematology fellowship at The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. After his training, Dr. Dwyer also served with distinction as a hematologist-oncologist for 25 years at Bassett Healthcare.

Both of Dr. Dwyer’s parents were served by hospice and he has had a long commitment to the philosophy and mission of hospice. He feels that he has an obligation to our patients, families, staff members, referring physicians and other referral sources to ensure that the care we provide is excellent and accessible.

Dr. Patrick Dwyer