From left: John Fiddler, NP, Lillian Espinoza, LCSW ACHP-SW, Stella Rubina, DO, and Chaplain Rachelle Zazzu
Three palliative care providers at Mount Sinai Queens have established themselves as the go-to team for patients and their families who are faced with serious or life-threatening illnesses, and those who need expert guidance for end-of-life decision making.
Lillian Espinoza, LCSW ACHP-SW, Stella Rubina, DO, and John Fiddler, NP, deliver pain and symptom management and help patients and families better understand their illness and options for treatment.
Lillian says the team helps ensure their colleagues at Mount Sinai Queens “understand the patient’s emotions and psychosocial needs.” According to John, patients and their families can “get lost in medical terminology, test results, and a system that can make patients feel powerless.”
Dr. Rubina characterizes the team as a small group with “a big footprint.” She adds, “Empathy is key. Once patients know you care, they are so grateful.”
Recently, the team created a scatter-bed program that provides Mount Sinai Queens’ terminally ill patients with the same level of care they receive at a dedicated inpatient hospice facility.
The team is also piloting a program in the outpatient oncology setting that assists patients with their advance care directives.
“I am continually struck by the level of care, compassion, and wisdom demonstrated by this team for patients and their families,” says Mount Sinai Queens Chaplain Rachelle Zazzu, who works closely with them.