Dr. VJ Periyakoil is a nationally recognized leader in palliative care. She is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, and the Director of the Stanford Palliative Care Education and Training Program. She is the PI for this end of life curricular project and also the Director of the VA Nationwide Palliative Care Network. For more information please see Dr. Periyakoil’s Stanford Academic Profile.. Dr. Periyakoil is also the founder of the Letter Project which has won national acclaim.

James Hallenbeck, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine is a national leader in Palliative Care. He was key in shaping the early growth and development of Palliative Care within the Department of Veterans Affairs. He is the Associate Chief of Staff for Extended Care at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. He specializes in physician education, non-pain symptom management and cultural aspects of end-of-life care with a focus on intercultural communication. Hallenbeck has spoken extensively about his expertise and authored the book Palliative Care Perspectives. (Stanford Profile)

Betty Wexler RN MSN CNS

GRECC Geriatric Clinic, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System (Rtd),
Clinical Associate Professor of Nursing, UCSF School of Nursing

Ms. Wexler earned her nursing degree at Vanier College, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She completed her Master’s degree in nursing at the University of California San Francisco Medical School and practices as a clinical nurse specialist. Ms. Wexler has experience in medical-surgical nursing, transplant, home care, hospice, and geriatric ambulatory clinics. She has extensive experience in both the clinical and administrative aspects of hospice and palliative care including the various aspects of the Medicare Hospice Benefit. She also has expertise in inter-disciplinary education.