David W. Bouda, MD

Iread with pleasure this articlefrom the staff of the Harry R.Horvitz Center for Palliative Medicine,an institution with expertiseand experience to draw upon. Allmultidisciplinary cancer centersshould have an expertise in palliativemedicine if not a formalized program,as one of the most important jobs ofoncologists is to relieve pain and sufferingfor patients and their families.When pain is effectively addressed,the patient’s aggregate quality of lifeis optimized and time spent with familyand friends is more enjoyable.