What is The Circle of Life?
The Circle of Life Program provides compassionate care for patients facing serious and terminal illnesses. It embraces the philosophy of Palliative Medicine, which delivers compassionate care to relieve suffering, provide pain management and control symptoms when a person's disease is not amenable to cure. The Circle of Life team realizes that each person's dying experience is unique. That's why we treat the individual's physical, emotional, spiritual and psychosocial needs to foster a positive dying experience. Since family and loved ones are affected by the dying process, The Circle of Life program meets their needs through bereavement counseling to ensure healthy grieving and closure.
Medical Services
The Circle of Life team is a service of St. Joseph Hospital. Don McDonah, M.D., who is board certified in Palliative Care and Family Medicine, medically supervises the team. Patients who are medically referred to our program undergo an initial evaluation. The interdisciplinary team also includes experts trained to address the spiritual, emotional, social and home care needs of both the patient and loved ones. Other healthcare resources, such as physical therapy, nutrition, ethical consultation and pharmaceutical treatments are available as needed.
Education and Community Awareness
Our goal is to increase community awareness about the dying experience. The Circle of Life team members are accessible to the medical and general community for patient consultations, information about end-of-life care and advancedcare planning. Physicians, clinicians and family members who may need assistance with end-of-life care issues are encouraged to contact The Circle of Life at 595-3957.
The Circle of Life Mission
To provide an active continuum of comprehensive, compassionate and individualized care to persons, families and loved ones during and following the end of life.
