Dr. Kristin Keefe Joins Elliot Palliative Care and the Visiting Nurses Association of Greater Manchester

Elliot Palliative Care and the Visiting Nurses Association of Greater Manchester (VNA) welcome Dr. Kristin Keefe to their Palliative Care and hospice programs. Palliative Care is a medical specialty that treats anyone living with a life-threatening illness and works to improve the quality of life for the patient and their family at any stage in the disease process. Dr. Keefe brings extensive experience in palliative care to provide emotional and physical comfort for these patients.

As a highly accomplished OB/Gyn, gynecologic oncologist, and hospice and palliative medicine physician, Dr. Keefe enjoys caring for those with life-limiting conditions who wish to continue to seek palliative treatments and/or cure but who also want to maintain a satisfying quality of life through expert symptom management. Dr. Keefe’s interest in palliative care began with her father’s diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.  She now enjoys facilitating discussions devoted to aligning patient’s goals with available medical interventions. By taking the time to truly listen to patients and families’ stories and concerns, Dr. Keefe can help them navigate the complexities of medical care and treatment options. She is “happy to be a part of the tight-knit team who values an interdisciplinary approach and who are highly committed to rolling up their sleeves together to get the job done.”

Dr. Keefe graduated from Dartmouth Medical School and went on to complete her OB/Gyn residency at Brigham & Women’s- Massachusetts General Hospitals, followed by a 4-year fellowship in gynecologic oncology at the University of California at Irvine. She has held teaching positions at Dartmouth, Tufts, University of Texas School of Medicine, and Brigham & Women’s/Faulkner Hospital and is widely published. Over the past 14 years, Dr. Keefe has served as Medical Director and CMO of hospice programs in Massachusetts, as well serving as Director of palliative medicine programs at Steward Heath Care in Boston, Seton Family of Hospitals in Austin, and most recently at Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group in San Diego, California. She was recently married and has returned to New England to be with family.

“The art of conversation is a critical part of delivering effective care. I provide the best care when I get to know a patient, and they see that they are valued and trust me. It’s my job to alleviate anxiety and fear and offer a sense of control in an uncontrollable situation.” She continues, “I know that no matter what happens every day, my work has made a difference in someone’s life.”