How a $64 Million NIH Grant Will Transform Palliative Care Across Lifespan | Part Two

In Part Two of this forward-looking conversation, Dr. Jean Kutner explores how a landmark $64 million NIH grant is poised to reshape the future of Palliative Care across the lifespan.

Moving beyond theory, this episode dives into what success actually looks like—more diverse research collaboration, stronger mentorship pipelines, and measurable translation of evidence into real-world clinical practice.  The discussion highlights a critical shift: building a system where research and care continuously inform one another to improve outcomes for patients with serious illness.

Looking ahead, Dr. Kutner paints a compelling vision of a more seamless, equitable care continuum—one that begins earlier in the disease trajectory and extends across all stages of life.  From addressing gaps between care settings to advancing innovative modalities and policy-relevant research, this conversation underscores the urgency of aligning evidence, reimbursement models, and care delivery.

For healthcare leaders and hospice professionals, this episode offers both a strategic lens and a hopeful outlook on where the field is heading. 


Key Takeaways

• The future of palliative care depends on expanding research capacity across disciplines, including underrepresented fields like chaplaincy and social work. 
• Stronger collaboration between researchers, clinicians, and policymakers is essential to translating evidence into practice and policy change.
• A major goal is creating a seamless care continuum—eliminating gaps between Hospice, inpatient, and outpatient palliative care settings.
• Evidence-based care must drive reimbursement and policy models, including potential payment structures for pre-hospice care.
• The field is moving toward earlier, more personalized Palliative Care interventions across the full lifespan, supported by emerging research and innovation.

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