Kevin Larsen
Kevin L. Larsen, MD is Medical Director of Meaningful Use at the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT. In that role he is responsible for coordinating the clinical quality measures for Meaningful Use Certification and overseas the development of the Population Health Tool. Prior to working for the federal government he was Chief Medical Informatics Officer and Associate Medical Director at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is also an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Larsen graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School and was a resident and chief medical resident at Hennepin County Medical Center. His research includes health care financing for people living in poverty, computer systems to support clinical decision making, and health literacy. In Minneapolis he was also the Medical Director for the Center for Urban Health, a hospital, community collaboration to eliminate health disparities.
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. 
