Steven Pantilat

Steven Pantilat, MD is the Kates-Burnard and Hellman Distinguished Professor in Palliative Care and Chief of the Division of Palliative Medicine at UCSF School of Medicine. He specializes in palliative care for seriously ill patients, focusing on neurology integration, quality improvement, and end-of-life care. With over 120 peer-reviewed publications and leadership roles in national organizations like the Palliative Care Quality Collaborative, his work emphasizes improving care delivery through evidence-based practices and education.

Education: MD from UCSF School of Medicine (1989), BS in Psychobiology from UCLA (1984). Leadership includes former Society of Hospital Medicine President (2005-2006), Fulbright Senior Scholar (2007), and multiple teaching awards from UCSF.

Research interests span palliative care implementation, neurodegenerative disease support, and disparities in care access. Key awards include the Ritz E. Heerman Award (2014) and Irvine Foundation Leadership Award (2011). He mentors junior faculty in palliative care leadership and co-directs the UCSF Palliative Care Leadership Center.

Notable achievements: Co-edited textbooks Care at the Close of Life and Hospital-Based Palliative Medicine, featured in the Netflix documentary End Game, and chairs advisory boards for Cambia Health Foundation’s Sojourns Scholar Program and the Palliative Care Quality Collaborative.