Deidre S. Gifford
Deidre S. Gifford, MD, MPH, is Medical Director for Rhode Island’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services. An Obstetrician/Gynecologist, Dr. Gifford’s work has focused on measuring and improving healthcare quality, and approaches to delivery system reform. She served as the Project Director for Rhode Island’s multi-payer Medical Home demonstration, the Rhode Island Chronic Care Sustainability Initiative, from 2005 until 2011 and was Director of Healthcare Policy and Programs for Rhode Island’s Medicare Quality Improvement Organization until 2008. In addition to the Medical Home, Dr. Gifford’s work in Ambulatory Care has focused on information technology, and the intersection between IT and quality improvement. Dr. Gifford is a graduate of Cornell University Medical College and trained in Ob/Gyn at University Hospitals of Cleveland and the University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center. She holds a master’s degree in Public Health (Epidemiology) from the UCLA School of Public Health, and did post-graduate study in Health Service Research at UCLA prior to moving to Rhode Island.
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
