- Palliative Care
- Geriatrics
- Hospice Care
- +۱۱ مورد دیگر
Eric Widera is a Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Division of Geriatrics at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. He serves as Director of the Hospice & Palliative Care Service at the San Francisco VA Medical Center, where he leads clinical, educational, and programmatic initiatives. He is a nationally recognized clinician-educator with leadership roles in the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) and the Association of Directors of Geriatrics Academic Programs (ADGAP), where he served as past president. Dr. Widera completed his education with a B.S. in Biology from the University of California, Irvine, an M.D. from UCSF, followed by residency in Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital and fellowship in Geriatric Medicine at UCSF. He further enhanced his academic skills through the Teaching Scholars program and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Training at UCSF. His research and academic focus centers on improving care for older adults with serious illness through educational innovation, prognostication, communication, and policy. He is deeply engaged in medical education, having directed the Geriatrics Fellowship at UCSF for over a decade and currently mentoring residents, fellows, and pharmacy trainees. A key interest is the role of digital media in medical education, exemplified by his co-founding of GeriPal, a leading podcast and blog, and ePrognosis, an online prognostic calculator tool. His recent publications span palliative care, Alzheimer’s disease, medical ethics, and health policy, often addressing critical issues in aging and end-of-life care. His scholarly output is extensive and impactful, with recent articles in JAMA , JAMA Internal Medicine , and The New England Journal of Medicine . The body of his work demonstrates a consistent focus on practical clinical challenges, ethical dilemmas, and system-level improvements in care for vulnerable older populations. Themes include prognostic communication, advance care planning, dementia care, and the integration of palliative services across specialties. Dr. Widera has received numerous scientific awards recognizing his excellence, including: Hastings Center Cunniff-Dixon Physician Award (2011) AAHPM Hospice and Palliative Medicine Leaders Under 40 (2015) PDIA Palliative Medicine National Leadership Award (2014) "Visionary in Hospice and Palliative Medicine" Award (2018) Excellence in Teaching Award, Academy of Medical Educators, UCSF (2022) Master Clinician, Council of Master Clinicians, UCSF (2024) He has been the recipient of multiple grants, including the Geriatric Academic Career Award (GACA), and his work has influenced national policy and clinical guidelines. He is an active advisor and educator, shaping the next generation of geriatrics and palliative care leaders. Through his clinical leadership, educational programs, digital platforms like GeriPal, and national advocacy, Dr. Widera plays a pivotal role in advancing the fields of geriatrics and palliative medicine. His work is supported by a robust interdisciplinary team at the San Francisco VA, and he collaborates widely with researchers across UCSF and nationally. His leadership in developing educational resources and digital tools has significantly expanded the reach and impact of geriatrics and palliative care knowledge.









