Hospice and Palliative Medicine Advisory Committee
The Specialty Boards and Advisory Committees aim to maintain a composition that reflects the diversity and complexity of the physician and patient populations that certification serves. They include both practicing physician members and public members representing interdisciplinary healthcare professionals, patients and caregivers.
American Board of Internal Medicine
Dr. Dingfield is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Director of Palliative Care Education for the University of Pennsylvania Health System and Program Director of the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. She is ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Her academic focus is on medical education, including curricular innovation and assessment in competency-based education programs. She is the Chair-Elect of the ABIM Council.
Dr. Dingfield serves on the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) Fellowship Training Committee and the AAHPM Assessment Task Force. She has previously served on Test Materials Development Committees for the National Board of Medical Examiners.
Dr. Dingfield graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor. She completed her internal medicine-pediatrics residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania-Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and her hospice and palliative medicine fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania Health System. She holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education.
As of September 2024, Dr. Dingfield reported no ongoing external relationships.
American Board of Internal Medicine
Dr. Dingfield is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Director of Palliative Care Education for the University of Pennsylvania Health System and Program Director of the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. She is ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Her academic focus is on medical education, including curricular innovation and assessment in competency-based education programs. She is the Chair-Elect of the ABIM Council.
Dr. Dingfield serves on the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) Fellowship Training Committee and the AAHPM Assessment Task Force. She has previously served on Test Materials Development Committees for the National Board of Medical Examiners.
Dr. Dingfield graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor. She completed her internal medicine-pediatrics residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania-Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and her hospice and palliative medicine fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania Health System. She holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education.
As of September 2024, Dr. Dingfield reported no ongoing external relationships.
American Board of Pediatrics
Dr. Brook is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California and serves at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) as Program Director for the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship and as the inaugural Chief Faculty Wellness Officer, leading their wellbeing council and codirecting the peer support program. In this role, she identifies barriers to faculty wellbeing and provides opportunities to change culture and drive improvements in practice efficiencies. Dr. Brook is also an attending physician for the Comfort and Palliative Care Service with expertise in symptom management, medical decision-making and quality-of-life concerns for patients with life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses. She is an active member of the Pediatric Council of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) and previously served as a volunteer member of the ABIM Item-Writing Task Force in Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She was appointed to the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Advisory Committee in 2023.
Dr. Brook earned her medical degree through the Sackler School of Medicine New York State/American Program of Tel Aviv University and completed her residency at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. She completed her Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship at UCLA Medical Center and her Palliative Medicine Fellowship at Kaiser Permanente Southern California/CHLA pediatric track program.
She is ABP Board Certified in Pediatrics and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She is a fellow of both AAHPM and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
View my board certification status via ABMS Website
As of April 2025, Dr. Brook reported no ongoing external relationships.
American Board of Pediatrics
Dr. Brook is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California and serves at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) as Program Director for the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship and as the inaugural Chief Faculty Wellness Officer, leading their wellbeing council and codirecting the peer support program. In this role, she identifies barriers to faculty wellbeing and provides opportunities to change culture and drive improvements in practice efficiencies. Dr. Brook is also an attending physician for the Comfort and Palliative Care Service with expertise in symptom management, medical decision-making and quality-of-life concerns for patients with life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses. She is an active member of the Pediatric Council of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) and previously served as a volunteer member of the ABIM Item-Writing Task Force in Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She was appointed to the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Advisory Committee in 2023.
Dr. Brook earned her medical degree through the Sackler School of Medicine New York State/American Program of Tel Aviv University and completed her residency at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. She completed her Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship at UCLA Medical Center and her Palliative Medicine Fellowship at Kaiser Permanente Southern California/CHLA pediatric track program.
She is ABP Board Certified in Pediatrics and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She is a fellow of both AAHPM and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
View my board certification status via ABMS Website
As of April 2025, Dr. Brook reported no ongoing external relationships.
American Board of Anesthesiology
Dr. Hays (they/them) is Professor of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry; Associate Vice Chair for Faculty Development and Director of Resident Scholarship in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine; and Director of Pediatric Pain Medicine at University of Rochester-Golisano Children's Hospital.
Dr. Hays was appointed Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 1999, promoted to Associate Professor in 2006, and served for many years as Director of Pediatric Pain Services at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt (MCJCHV). Dr. Hays received a 2005 Department of Anesthesiology Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching, as well as the 2011 Sandidge Pediatric Pain Management Award in Recognition of Outstanding Contributions to Pediatric Pain Management at MCJCHV.
Dr. Hays moved to the University of Iowa as Clinical Professor of Anesthesia and Pediatrics and Director of Pediatric Pain Services at University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital in 2019, and served for several years as Anesthesia Vice-Chair for Faculty Affairs and Development. They moved to University of Rochester in 2024.
Dr. Hays is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and a member of the AAP Sections on Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (SOAPM), Critical Care Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine (SOHPM). They serve on the AAP SOHPM Membership and Internal Communications Work Group, and have served on the AAP SOAPM Executive Committee. They are a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and have served on the ASA Committees on Pediatric Anesthesiology and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. A Full Examiner for the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA), they serve on the Objective Standardized Clinical Examination Committee and have served on the ABA Standardized Oral Exam Committee. They also serve as the ABA representative to the American Board of Internal Medicine Hospice and Palliative Medicine Advisory Committee. Dr. Hays is a member of the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia and currently President of the Society for Pediatric Pain Medicine.
Dr. Hays' clinical interests include pediatric regional anesthesia, pediatric pain management and pediatric palliative care. Their research has included industry-funded licensing studies of analgesic agents in children, as well as multi-institutional studies of potential pediatric anesthetic neurotoxicity. Dr. Hays regularly presents at local, regional and national meetings, and is an author on numerous peer-reviewed manuscripts, textbook chapters and online enduring educational content.
A native of Syracuse, New York, and Presidential Scholar, Dr. Hays earned a simultaneous Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry summa cum laude with Distinction in the Major from Yale University and was elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa. They earned their medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University, where they remained to complete internship and residency in pediatrics, residency in anesthesiology and critical care medicine, and fellowships in pediatric anesthesia and pediatric critical care medicine. Dr. Hays is board certified in pediatrics, anesthesiology, pediatric critical care medicine, hospice and palliative medicine, and pediatric anesthesiology.
View my board certification status via ABMS Website
As of May 2025, Dr. Hays reported no ongoing external relationships.
American Board of Anesthesiology
Dr. Hays (they/them) is Professor of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry; Associate Vice Chair for Faculty Development and Director of Resident Scholarship in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine; and Director of Pediatric Pain Medicine at University of Rochester-Golisano Children's Hospital.
Dr. Hays was appointed Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 1999, promoted to Associate Professor in 2006, and served for many years as Director of Pediatric Pain Services at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt (MCJCHV). Dr. Hays received a 2005 Department of Anesthesiology Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching, as well as the 2011 Sandidge Pediatric Pain Management Award in Recognition of Outstanding Contributions to Pediatric Pain Management at MCJCHV.
Dr. Hays moved to the University of Iowa as Clinical Professor of Anesthesia and Pediatrics and Director of Pediatric Pain Services at University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital in 2019, and served for several years as Anesthesia Vice-Chair for Faculty Affairs and Development. They moved to University of Rochester in 2024.
Dr. Hays is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and a member of the AAP Sections on Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (SOAPM), Critical Care Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine (SOHPM). They serve on the AAP SOHPM Membership and Internal Communications Work Group, and have served on the AAP SOAPM Executive Committee. They are a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and have served on the ASA Committees on Pediatric Anesthesiology and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. A Full Examiner for the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA), they serve on the Objective Standardized Clinical Examination Committee and have served on the ABA Standardized Oral Exam Committee. They also serve as the ABA representative to the American Board of Internal Medicine Hospice and Palliative Medicine Advisory Committee. Dr. Hays is a member of the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia and currently President of the Society for Pediatric Pain Medicine.
Dr. Hays' clinical interests include pediatric regional anesthesia, pediatric pain management and pediatric palliative care. Their research has included industry-funded licensing studies of analgesic agents in children, as well as multi-institutional studies of potential pediatric anesthetic neurotoxicity. Dr. Hays regularly presents at local, regional and national meetings, and is an author on numerous peer-reviewed manuscripts, textbook chapters and online enduring educational content.
A native of Syracuse, New York, and Presidential Scholar, Dr. Hays earned a simultaneous Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry summa cum laude with Distinction in the Major from Yale University and was elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa. They earned their medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University, where they remained to complete internship and residency in pediatrics, residency in anesthesiology and critical care medicine, and fellowships in pediatric anesthesia and pediatric critical care medicine. Dr. Hays is board certified in pediatrics, anesthesiology, pediatric critical care medicine, hospice and palliative medicine, and pediatric anesthesiology.
View my board certification status via ABMS Website
As of May 2025, Dr. Hays reported no ongoing external relationships.
Dr. McPherson is a Professor and Executive Director, Advanced Post-Graduate Education in Palliative Care in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in Baltimore. She is the Executive Program Director of the Online Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Science and Graduate Certificate Program in Palliative Care at the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB). Dr. McPherson has maintained a practice in hospice (both local and national) her entire career. Dr. McPherson is particularly interested in the safe and effective use of medications in patients with a life-limiting illness, ranging from drug selection, deprescribing and risk mitigation.
Dr. McPherson developed the first palliative care pharmacy residency in the U.S. She has won numerous awards for teaching and her innovative practice in end-of-life care. She has published numerous articles and book chapters, as well as five books including the second edition of the best-selling “Demystifying Opioid Conversion Calculations: A Guide for Effective Dosing.”
Dr. McPherson received a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Maryland Baltimore, a Master of Arts in Instructional Systems Development from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, a Master of Distance Education from the University of Maryland Global Campus and a Doctor of Philosophy in Health Professions Education from UMB. She holds a Pharmacotherapy Specialty Certification (BCPS) from the Board of Pharmacy Specialists.
As of September 2024, Dr. McPherson reported the following external relationships:
Dr. McPherson serves in significant roles with the following organization, receiving reimbursement or compensation as listed:
- American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Board of Directors, without compensation.
Dr. McPherson is a Professor and Executive Director, Advanced Post-Graduate Education in Palliative Care in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in Baltimore. She is the Executive Program Director of the Online Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Science and Graduate Certificate Program in Palliative Care at the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB). Dr. McPherson has maintained a practice in hospice (both local and national) her entire career. Dr. McPherson is particularly interested in the safe and effective use of medications in patients with a life-limiting illness, ranging from drug selection, deprescribing and risk mitigation.
Dr. McPherson developed the first palliative care pharmacy residency in the U.S. She has won numerous awards for teaching and her innovative practice in end-of-life care. She has published numerous articles and book chapters, as well as five books including the second edition of the best-selling “Demystifying Opioid Conversion Calculations: A Guide for Effective Dosing.”
Dr. McPherson received a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Maryland Baltimore, a Master of Arts in Instructional Systems Development from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, a Master of Distance Education from the University of Maryland Global Campus and a Doctor of Philosophy in Health Professions Education from UMB. She holds a Pharmacotherapy Specialty Certification (BCPS) from the Board of Pharmacy Specialists.
As of September 2024, Dr. McPherson reported the following external relationships:
Dr. McPherson serves in significant roles with the following organization, receiving reimbursement or compensation as listed:
- American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Board of Directors, without compensation.
Ms. Noon is the Supportive Oncology Telehealth Navigator and Study Coordinator for the NEST (Navigated, Embedded, Supportive Care, Via Telehealth) program at Tennessee Oncology, which addresses barriers faced by rural cancer patients when accessing supportive cancer care. She is passionate about finding solutions that support the needs of informal caregivers. As an End-of-Life Doula, she focuses on educating and empowering people to engage in healthy, culturally relevant conversations about the end of life. She has given keynote speeches on treatment logistics, the role of doulas in health care and demystifying death. She is an active member of the Quality Committee for the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) and serves on the Board of Directors for Women Oncology Warriors in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Ms. Noon earned a Master of Science in Palliative Care from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania and End-of-Life Doula Certification from the University of Vermont. She is a fellow of the Hambidge Center for the Creative Arts and Sciences.
As of April 2025, Dr. Noon reported no ongoing external relationships.
Ms. Noon is the Supportive Oncology Telehealth Navigator and Study Coordinator for the NEST (Navigated, Embedded, Supportive Care, Via Telehealth) program at Tennessee Oncology, which addresses barriers faced by rural cancer patients when accessing supportive cancer care. She is passionate about finding solutions that support the needs of informal caregivers. As an End-of-Life Doula, she focuses on educating and empowering people to engage in healthy, culturally relevant conversations about the end of life. She has given keynote speeches on treatment logistics, the role of doulas in health care and demystifying death. She is an active member of the Quality Committee for the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) and serves on the Board of Directors for Women Oncology Warriors in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Ms. Noon earned a Master of Science in Palliative Care from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania and End-of-Life Doula Certification from the University of Vermont. She is a fellow of the Hambidge Center for the Creative Arts and Sciences.
As of April 2025, Dr. Noon reported no ongoing external relationships.
American Board of Family Medicine
Dr. Nowels is a professor in the Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, where he has practiced and taught primary care and palliative medicine since 1993. He has been the Program Director for the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program at the University of Colorado for over a decade. He has extensive clinical experience in all settings where palliative medicine is practiced and, until July 2021, he actively practiced primary care medicine as well. His expertise includes teaching palliative care content to a wide variety of learners, including other clinicians in practice. His research focus is on advancing the understanding of palliative care in primary care settings using quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods study design. Dr. Nowels is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine in Family Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and holds a Certificate of Added Qualification in Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
Between 2012 and 2017, he served on the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Test-Writing Committee for the American Board of Medical Specialties national board certification exam. Beginning in 2018, and to the present, he has served on the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Review Committee for Family Medicine.
Dr. Nowels earned his bachelor’s degree from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, and his Master of Public Health from the University of Washington in Seattle. He completed his medical degree and residency at the University of Colorado Denver Medical School.
View my board certification status via ABMS Website
As of July 2023, Dr. Nowels reported the following external relationships:
Dr. Nowels serves in significant roles with the following organization, receiving reimbursement or compensation as listed:
- The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, Family Medicine Review Committee, without compensation.
American Board of Family Medicine
Dr. Nowels is a professor in the Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, where he has practiced and taught primary care and palliative medicine since 1993. He has been the Program Director for the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program at the University of Colorado for over a decade. He has extensive clinical experience in all settings where palliative medicine is practiced and, until July 2021, he actively practiced primary care medicine as well. His expertise includes teaching palliative care content to a wide variety of learners, including other clinicians in practice. His research focus is on advancing the understanding of palliative care in primary care settings using quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods study design. Dr. Nowels is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine in Family Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and holds a Certificate of Added Qualification in Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
Between 2012 and 2017, he served on the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Test-Writing Committee for the American Board of Medical Specialties national board certification exam. Beginning in 2018, and to the present, he has served on the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Review Committee for Family Medicine.
Dr. Nowels earned his bachelor’s degree from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, and his Master of Public Health from the University of Washington in Seattle. He completed his medical degree and residency at the University of Colorado Denver Medical School.
View my board certification status via ABMS Website
As of July 2023, Dr. Nowels reported the following external relationships:
Dr. Nowels serves in significant roles with the following organization, receiving reimbursement or compensation as listed:
- The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, Family Medicine Review Committee, without compensation.
American Board of Emergency Medicine
Dr. Stetz is Assistant Professor, Simulation at the State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Health Sciences University in the Department of Emergency Medicine and serves both there and at Kings County Hospital Centers in Brooklyn, New York. She is committed to medical education at every level, from medical student to residency and fellowship training. Her hope is to improve care within the community and translate scientific knowledge into the delivery of efficient, patient-centered care. In addition to bedside teaching, most of Dr. Stetz’s teaching and scholarly activities are focused in the areas of palliative care and medical simulation. Palliative care has become the avenue by which she relieves suffering and empowers patients to make informed healthcare choices. Medical simulation is her tool to promote informed medical decision-making and communication strategies to learners.
Dr. Stetz earned her medical degree at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and completed her residency at Bellevue/New York University Langone Medical Center.
View my board certification status via ABMS Website
As of April 2024, Dr. Stetz reported no ongoing external relationships.
American Board of Emergency Medicine
Dr. Stetz is Assistant Professor, Simulation at the State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Health Sciences University in the Department of Emergency Medicine and serves both there and at Kings County Hospital Centers in Brooklyn, New York. She is committed to medical education at every level, from medical student to residency and fellowship training. Her hope is to improve care within the community and translate scientific knowledge into the delivery of efficient, patient-centered care. In addition to bedside teaching, most of Dr. Stetz’s teaching and scholarly activities are focused in the areas of palliative care and medical simulation. Palliative care has become the avenue by which she relieves suffering and empowers patients to make informed healthcare choices. Medical simulation is her tool to promote informed medical decision-making and communication strategies to learners.
Dr. Stetz earned her medical degree at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and completed her residency at Bellevue/New York University Langone Medical Center.
View my board certification status via ABMS Website
As of April 2024, Dr. Stetz reported no ongoing external relationships.