Susan Block

Susan Block

Senior Advisor, Serious Illness Care Program

As senior advisor and founding director, Susan Block, MD, oversees the research and execution of the Serious Illness Care Program. In addition, Susan is the founding chair of the Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Co-Director of the Harvard Medical School Center for Palliative Care, and professor of psychiatry and medicine at Harvard Medical School.

This palliative care program is one of the largest in the United States. Susan has been a national leader in the development of palliative medicine, has led major innovative, educational projects in a variety of areas, is known internationally as an expert in medical education, faculty development, and palliative care, and has contributed to research in medical education, palliative care, psycho-oncology, and health system change. She is the author of over 150 publications and has won numerous awards for education, research, and leadership.

Susan received her AB from Stanford University and her MD from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Susan completed residencies in both internal medicine and psychiatry at Beth Israel Hospital and is board certified in both fields.

NEWS
New study on Serious Illness Care Program underscores significant benefit of more, better, and earlier conversations between clinicians and patients

BOSTON, MA – Across the United States, millions of individuals face serious, life-limiting illness like cancer, heart disease and stroke, respiratory disease and diabetes. The final year of life with serious illness can be filled with emotional distress and uncertainty about treatment options. When people with serious illness have conversations with their doctors and nurses… Continue reading New study on Serious Illness Care Program underscores significant benefit of more, better, and earlier conversations between clinicians and patients

Mar 14 2019
NEWS
Serious Illness Care Program featured in The Economist

The Ariadne Labs Serious Illness Program is featured prominently in an April 29 cover story in The Economist, among the world’s most influential news magazines. The cover package, How life ends, includes a news story, A better way to care for the dying, with interviews with Serious Illness Care Program Director Dr. Susan Block, Ariadne Labs… Continue reading Serious Illness Care Program featured in The Economist

May 2 2017