FOCUS
Palliative care is essential in providing high-quality end-of-life care. Unfortunately, the end-of-life experience in the United States is often associated with increased physical and emotional suffering for patients and their families, particularly for racial/ethnic minorities. As such, Leah believes in advancing health equity in palliative care by increasing access and optimizing quality of life in racial/ethnic minority older adults. Her research is focused on examining health disparities in palliative care services and potentially avoidable hospitalizations at the end-of-life in nursing homes nationwide. By focusing on improving access and delivery of palliative care, Leah hopes to optimize the quality of life for racial/ethnic minorities with serious illness.
MORE ABOUT LEAH
Leah is the daughter of immigrants from El Salvador and Guatemala, who has had personal experience as a caregiver for her grandmother fighting Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease, as early as the age of 10. Her commitment to palliative care continued across the lifespan, as a registered nurse in the intensive care unit. With knowledge and firsthand experience, she brings a unique perspective for improving health care delivery driven by her diverse experiences in education, health care, and international work with immigrants.