Robert K. Horowitz

Dr. Robert K. Horowitz is the Georgia and Thomas Gosnell Distinguished Professor in Palliative Care and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry. He specializes in palliative care education, serious illness communication, and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Previously Chief of the Palliative Care Division at Strong Memorial Hospital (2015–2023), he founded Rochester's Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program (1999–2015) and has extensive experience in rural emergency medicine.

Education: MD from University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry (1993). Board certifications in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Hospice & Palliative Care Medicine. Completed residency and internship at University of Rochester Medical Center (1993–1998).

Research focuses on improving communication skills for clinicians through programs like Advanced Communication Training (co-developed with Dr. Tom Carroll) and integrating psychedelic therapies for serious illness. He introduced ketamine-assisted psychotherapy research to URMC in 2023.

Awards include the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award (2016), Herbert W. Mapstone Teaching Prize (2015), and multiple faculty commendations for teaching and leadership.

Key roles include Core Clinical Assessor at UR School of Medicine, Medical Director of the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program, and contributor to national palliative care education standards. Active in both clinical practice and interdisciplinary training programs.