Central Coast to Offer Ongoing Palliative Care Informational Sessions

Arroyo Grande Community Hospital (AGCH), French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) and Marian Regional Medical Center (MRMC), which are Dignity Health Central Coast hospitals, are pleased to offer ongoing educational sessions to inform community members about the benefits of palliative care.

The next session will be held on Monday, November 14 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at Luis Oasis Senior Center, 420 Soares Avenue, Santa Maria and will include speaker Larry Foreman, M.D., Medical Director of Palliative Care, Marian Regional Medical Center.   

Dignity Health Central Coast’s Palliative Care Program involves a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers, and chaplains to improve the quality of life for those with a life-limiting illness. This informational session will educate attendees on the advantages of palliative care and how to coordinate care with a patient’s primary care physician.  Patients are eligible for palliative care services whether they have recently been diagnosed, are in active treatment, have completed therapy, or are nearing the end of life.  this

Primary palliative care services include, but are not limited to:

• Pain and symptom management
• Emotional and spiritual support
• Coordination of care and communication between patients, families, physicians and other health care providers
• Support for loved ones and caregivers
• Information on Advance Care Planning, including benefits and burdens of life-sustaining and life extending measures
• Referrals to community resources

“Palliative care offers our patients and their loved ones a sense of comfort during often very difficult times,” states Larry Foreman, M.D., Medical Director of Palliative Care, Marian Regional Medical Center.  “With our Palliative Care Program, we have a comprehensive team of professionals committed to easing the physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering as associated with life-limiting illnesses.”

The Palliative Care Program at Dignity Health Central Coast offers special care for those suffering from a progressive, life-limiting illness. For questions about the program or for future informational session dates, please call (805) 739-3398.

Dignity Health Central Coast

Dignity Health Central Coast is comprised of five hospitals, all recognized for their quality of care, safety and service, primary care offices, premier ambulatory surgery centers, technologically advanced imaging centers, outpatient services and comprehensive home health services. Hospitals in the Dignity Health Central Coast region include Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo and St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard. Each hospital is supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to provide additional funding to support new programs and services, as well as to advance the community’s access to health care.