Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. This type of care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.

The Palliative Care Consultation Team at Mount Sinai Queens consists of specially-trained doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other specialists who work together with a patient’s other doctors to provide an extra layer of support. Palliative care is based on the needs of the patient, not on the patient’s prognosis. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness, and it can be provided along with curative treatment.

Serving Our Community

When you are facing a serious illness, it helps to know that Mount Sinai Palliative Care specialists are by your side. Palliative care is a team-based medical specialty which provides an added layer of support to seriously ill patients, their families, and their healthcare providers. We strive to improve your quality of life, working closely with your primary doctor. We provide coordinated care consisting of:

Assistance with pain and symptom management: Our primary goal is to alleviate suffering and ensure comfort.

Enhancing communication through counseling and support: Our team addresses patient and family psychosocial needs.

Collaboration with patients’ medical team: Since Palliative Care is a multidisciplinary field, we are in constant communication with the patient’s primary care physician as well as any subspecialty clinicians treating the patient.

Identifying goals of advanced care: Together with the patient and family, we work to establish common goals of care unique to each individual based on available treatment options. 

Meet Our Team

Here, at Mount Sinai Queens, we have an exceptional team of Palliative Care specialists who are available to assure the optimum care and comfort for patients and their loved ones. We pride ourselves in our philosophy of "dignity, compassion, respect, and comfort for all to ensure the highest quality of life possible."

Stella I. Rubina, DO, FAAFP, FAAHPM
Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine

Lillian Espinoza, LCSW, ACHP-SW
Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine

Minna Park, DNP, FNP-C, ACHPN
Palliative Care Medicine

Mikail Kamal, DO 
Geriatrics and Palliative Care Medicine

Dana Rainey, MAM, BCC 
Department of Spiritual Care and Education Chaplain