Coffee Conversations: Palliative Care

Forge Breast Cancer Survivor Center hosts a virtual “Coffee Conversation” on select mornings at 10:00 am central time that features a 30-minute interview with a survivor, co-survivor, or medical professional on a topic, followed by a time for conversation with participants.

April 12th ‘s Coffee Conversation features Rodney O. Tucker, MD, MMM. Dr. Tucker is a native Alabamian who graduated from medical school at UAB in 1989. and is board certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. After a career in private practice, home care and hospice services, Dr. Tucker returned to his alma mater in 2002. Since that time, he has been active at UAB in the development of a comprehensive clinical, educational and research program in palliative care, including the Southeast Institute for Innovation in Palliative and Supportive Care at UAB. Serving currently as the Director of the UAB Center for Palliative and Supportive Care, Dr. Tucker also completed his Masters in Medical Management at the University of Southern California in 2009. The UAB Center provides care for over 3,000 new patients annually and is currently a Center for the Advancement of Palliative Care (CAPC) designated Palliative Care Leadership Center TM.

Dr. Tucker has been an active member of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) and the Center for the Advancement of Palliative Care (CAPC) for over a decade, having served in several leadership roles in the Academy including serving on the Board of Directors from 2014-2022. Additionally he served as the national President of AAHPM in 2020-2021 and during that time was a key leader in implementing a new strategic plan that incorporated principles of diversity, equity and inclusion into the core values of the organization.

He has participated in the education and mentorship of over 300 fellow learners and health care systems over the past decade and currently holds the Christine Ritchie Endowed Chair in Palliative Care Leadership at UAB. From 2013-2018, Dr. Tucker also served in the role of Chief Experience Officer for UAB Medicine. Currently Dr. Tucker alsoserves as the Interim Director of the Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine and is the lead organizer of the newly established LGBTQ+ Faculty Association in the Heersink School of Medicine. Dr. Tucker currently remains active in the care of palliative care patients, the majority of whom have an oncologic diagnosis and has a part time practice in Internal Medicine and Wellness at the Magic City Wellness Center.

Please join our Coffee Conversation to talk with Dr. Tucker about Palliative Care!

***This event is free, but requires registration***

If you are able to donate any amount to contribute to Forge’s continued efforts to support our local breast cancer community, we greatly appreciate it. Donations can be made on the Forge website: https://forgeon.org/donate

About Forge’s programs:

At Forge, the core of our mission is to offer support, knowledge, strength, and direction for those impacted by breast cancer. In an effort to continue to safeguard the health of our community and team, Forge is offering virtual learning opportunities that can be accessed from the comfort of your own home, and for any in-person programs we may schedule, we will practice CDC-recommended safety measures to keep our community healthy.

As always, if you have any questions, need resources, or a listening ear, please feel free to communicate with us via the Forge Facebook page, by emailing [email protected], or by calling us at 1-800-811-8925. By registering to attend programs with Forge, you agree to receive further correspondence from us, such as program emails and event reminders.