Aurora, Colo. — Donald J. Murphy, MD, has been named medical director of Halcyon Hospice and Palliative Care, an affiliate member of the Care Synergy Network. As medical director, Murphy is responsible for developing a comprehensive medical care plan for each Halcyon patient and ensuring every member of the hospice team, family members and caregivers are knowledgeable of the care plan.
Murphy brings 25 years of experience in hospice care and 30 years in palliative care to Halcyon. Before assuming the full-time role of medical director, he provided hospice and palliative care services to Halcyon patients part time. His clinical background includes working with clinicians, primary care doctors and specialists in a variety of clinics, assisted living residences and nursing homes along the Front Range. He also founded MESA (Medicare Expert Senior Access), a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching physicians how to embrace the senior population, and served as chairman and longtime board member of the Colorado Health Foundation. His unique experiences and in-depth knowledge of the Colorado healthcare landscape will support his goal of developing improved doctor-patient communication and care navigation, resulting in superior patient care.
According to the Colorado State Demography office, Denver’s population of individuals age 65 and older is expected to increase from 416,222 in 2020 to 592,124 in 2030. “Dr. Murphy’s experience and leadership will ensure Halcyon Hospice and Palliative Care is in a position to serve this growing population,” says Joseph Brooks, president, Halcyon Hospice and Palliative Care. “As one of the few not-for-profit hospices in our community, we will also continue to offer the highest quality, mission-based end-of-life care for anyone who needs our services, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.”
Dr. Murphy is a graduate of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center where he received both his Medical Degree and completed his Internal Medicine residency. He was a Geriatric Fellow at the Harvard Medical School. His research interests include developing guidelines for appropriate end of life care for seniors. He has received many honors and awards in the areas of clinical teaching and has been voted one of the top Geriatricians in 5280 Magazine for multiple years. He is the author of “Honest Medicine” and numerous journal articles.
About Halcyon Hospice and Palliative Care
Halcyon Hospice and Palliative Care provides patient-centered care along Colorado’s Front Range, from Fort Collins to Denver and Castle Rock. Through its not-for-profit mission, Halcyon Hospice is committed to a standard of excellence and providing sensitive, patient-centered care to patients facing serious or life-limiting illnesses and their families. Halcyon has been named at Top Work Place by The Denver Post for the seventh straight year. Halcyon Hospice is an affiliate member of Care Synergy, the region’s largest end-of-life care network.
About Care Synergy
Care Synergy is the region’s leading end-of-life care network, providing mission support services for not-for-profit, community-based hospice and palliative care affiliate organizations serving Colorado’s Front Range from the Rocky Mountain foothills to Bennett, from Colorado Springs to Wyoming. Caring for Coloradans is important—Care Synergy aids families in dealing with end-of-life decisions by providing the best care, whether in-home or at one of our Inpatient Care Centers, promising support, excellence and compassion through personalized palliative, hospice and bereavement services.
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