A national organization for healthcare professionals that specializes in hospice and palliative medicine has recognized Campbell University’s Dr. Christine Khandelwal as an Emerging Leader.
The group, the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, developed the Emerging Leaders in Hospice and Palliative Care program to recognize exceptional work by the next generation of leaders and to bring increased exposure to the specialty of hospice and palliative medicine, its website says.
Khandelwal, a professor of Family Medicine and director of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at the Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine, recently completed her term serving as president of the N.C. Medical Board and now serves as chair of Medicine for WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh — the first Osteopathic physician to serve in this role.
She was recognized as part of The Annual Assembly of Hospice and Palliative Care (AAHPM), which was held in Denver in early February. The award recognizes new Emerging Leaders in recognition of their career accomplishments, involvement in the academy, mentoring of residents and students and participation in charitable work, the organization says.
AAHPM spoke with the 2024 Emerging Leaders to, it says, gain insight into what motivated them to pursue leadership positions and what they find more fulfilling in their experiences.
Khandelwal, in reflecting on her years working in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, said numerous colleagues who influenced her work and shaped her contributions provide a continual source of inspiration.
“Most importantly, the most important people who have not only shaped my contributions in Hospice and Palliative Medicine but continue to inspire me to serve in our field of medicine, are the patients and caregivers I care for every day. Aside from ensuring I can provide good quality of care, it is in advocacy that drives my passion to continue to make the most impactful contributions and influences me to continue to do the hard work it takes to do well for those we treat.”
While honored and humbled to be recognized with this prestigious award, Khandelwal said she made sure to reflect on the guidance and support from a group of amazing colleagues and mentors.
“In retrospect, although I appreciate the goals I have accomplished serving as a leader- whether for my team, my organization, or my healthcare system, I also acknowledge my failures,” she said. “In my experiences, I have learned that true leadership cannot be assigned or appointed, nor is it a formal title, but rather it comes from influencing and building relationships with others.
“I recognize and acknowledge the giants of our field have brought us to this inflection point where we should no longer feel we need to demonstrate our value in caring for patients with serious illness, but, instead, feel empowered to take the lead to develop new and innovative ways to care for our patients in better ways.”
Khandelwal says she remains dedicated to tackling issues such as the shortage of an inadequately trained workforce, which will negatively affect the quality of services provided to patients with serious illnesses.
“I am committed to developing collaborative models of care with other providers to expand our service reach within our own communities through educational support and program development.”
She also cited poor accessibility and availability of opioids for patients due to medication shortages, outdated policies that discourage access and potential penalties because of confusing legislative changes in prescribing.
Khandelwal also cited a shortage of funding and lack of a comprehensive national plan on implementing palliative care to patients with serious illnesses.
“I am committed to proactively engage with stakeholders in the healthcare industry to make changes on a national level.”
Khandelwal is truly a leader in her field.
Last year, she earned a N.C. Medical Society Golden Stethoscope Award, which goes to physicians or physician assistants who demonstrate excellence in leadership, dedication to patients and stellar skills in motivating, inspiring and leading a medical team, the NCMS website says.
“I love being on the faculty here,” Khandelwal has said of Campbell. “I’m so supported to build up a wonderful, I hope, program here to train our future physicians and the PAs. … And I hope it does show our younger generation what a joy it is to care for this complex population, that it’s meaningful work, and we can make a difference in people’s lives and for our community.”