Gary Buckholz, MD, FAAHPM

Gary Buckholz, MD, is a board-certified palliative care specialist and hospice medical director (HDMC). The goal of palliative care is to prevent and relieve suffering and to support the best possible quality of life for patients and their families, regardless of the stage of disease or the need for other therapies. As such, it can be delivered at the same time with life-sustaining care or as the main focus of care.

As part of the Doris A. Howell Consultation Service, Dr. Buckholz primarily consults with patients who are admitted to one of UC San Diego Health's hospitals.

Dr. Buckholz completed a fellowship at San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine and a residency at Brown University Medical School. He earned his medical degree from University of Kansas School of Medicine. He is board certified in family medicine and hospice and palliative medicine.

Dr. Buckholz is a member of the Family Medicine Review Committee of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). He is a fellow of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (FAAHPM). Dr. Buckholz is passionate about palliative care education, with many years of experience as a palliative medicine fellowship director. He also serves as UC San Diego's physician advisor for The Elizabeth Hospice collaboration.

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For more information, see Palliative Care.