Ms. Bergeron has over 30 years experience in the health care field, much of it in a management capacity. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of New Hampshire, and her Masters in Management Science at Lesley University. Ms. Bergeron is an Advisory Board member for the Health Care and Quality Cost Council of Massachusetts and is currently the President of the Hospice & Palliative Care Federation of Massachusetts.
Dr. Baker began his teaching career in 1985 with an academic appointment at Johns Hopkins, teaching clinical emergency medicine to residents and medical students until 1989. He initiated a project in 1986 as Principal Investigator in evaluating unsuspected occupational exposure to HIV infection, and presented findings at the Third International Conference on the HIV Epidemic in Washington, DC, prior to publication in JAMA. Dr. Baker was invited as Rapporteur to Centers for Disease Control in writing the first CDC Guidelines on controlling occupational exposure to HIV and to the staff of the Presidential Commission on the HIV Epidemic, and he participated in preparing recommendations to the President on U.S. response to the epidemic. He joined the faculty of Harvard Medical School in 1997, and continues to teach clinical emergency medicine to residents and students. He has most recently served as a consultant in Palliative Care Medicine to Beth Israel Medical Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Massachusetts General Hospital. In addition to his Palliative Care expertise, Dr. Baker has an extensive background in Emergency Medicine, Cardiology and Infectious Disease.
What is your role as Medical Director of VNA Hospice Care?
Dr. Baker’s response: I am responsible for providing oversight of the medical care provided to our patients, and will also see those patients on our service in their homes when this will be helpful in both guiding and supporting their care. I am available to the staff of VNA HOSPICE CARE 24 hours a day to help each Team member provide the highest quality care to our patients and their families. I work with the VNA HOSPICE CARE Administration to maintain compliance with regulatory matters, identify medical concerns needing attention and address these issues, and participate in activities to support our shared goals, both of the patients and each member of our staff.
What do you think about the Team approach at VNA Hospice Care?
Dr. Baker’s response: The Team approach provides an equal voice to each member, and fosters collaboration as we evaluate and care for each unique patient or family need. The structure of Team Meetings allows for education, cooperation, and complete support of our patients. This is an approach that has been shown to provide the best quality care to Hospice patients as the specialty has evolved and continued to grow.
What have you learned as a result of working in palliative care?
Dr. Baker’s response: The care of patients with advanced disease and complex medical issues, and the care of their families, is deeply rewarding and fulfilling. Although we may not be able to reverse the course of the illness, we can always help the patients and their families with comfort, support, and relief of distressing symptoms.
What advice would you offer patients and families who are considering Hospice and/or palliative care?
Dr. Baker’s response: I hope that patients and families will know that our goals are to provide the most compassionate care possible, work together as a team to recognize each individual person’s needs and circumstances, and to respect and respond to patient and family decisions. We will be there for them in every way.
