What We Do
The SOLACE Palliative Care Collaborative organizes and synergizes the College’s efforts in palliative care scholarship, outreach, leadership, advocacy, compassionate care, and education. Learn more about the collaborative’s work below.
Scholarship
See resources for a list of publications from SOLACE Collaborative members.
SOLACE faculty are currently focusing on the following research areas:
If you would like a pharmacist scientist perspective on your study design, or to collaborate
on a study design phase, contact us at SOLACE-collaborative@uiowa.edu.
Outreach
SOLACE Palliative Care Collaborative collaborates with partners and organizations focusing on improving quality of life in Iowa and beyond.
Global Collaboration: Pallium India
Through our palliative care collaboration with Pallium India, University of Iowa palliative care pharmacy residents and students learn from palliative care leaders in India who developed and work at this innovative nongovernmental organization. Pallium India alleviates health-related suffering by integrating palliative care into mainstream health care. Read previous trainees’ experiences in the following blogs:
"Sukumari Auntie" - Eva Coulson, PharmD, BCPS - 2017-2018 Palliative Care/Pain Management Pharmacy Resident
"You Have Two Ears and One Mouth for a Reason" - Caprisse Honsbruch, PharmD and Palliative Care Certificate Class of 2020
"What Surprised You? What Inspired You? What Touched Your Heart?" - Theodore Nguyen, PharmD, BCPS - 2019-2020 Palliative Care/Pain Pharmacy Resident
SOLACE Palliative Care faculty serve as partners to support Pallium India’s palliative care educational initiatives through Pallium India, Inc.
Volunteerism
Palliative Care Certificate Students and SOLACE Collaborative faculty volunteer at several community organizations that focus on improving quality of life, including Oaknoll, the Iowa City Veterans Administration Palliative Care service, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Supportive and Palliative Care service, The Bird House-Hospice Home of Johnson County, Iowa City Hospice, Care Initiatives Hospice Center, and Stonehill Care Center.
Leadership
SOLACE Palliative Care Collaborative members are national leaders in palliative care and palliative care education serve in numerous professional organizations to advance palliative care pharmacy.
Professional Organizations Involvement
Lorin Fisher:
Development Committee, 2023-Present
Kashelle Lockman:
Palliative Care Trustee, Board of Trustees, 2022-Present
Development Committee, 2023-Present
Education Committee, 2016-2018, 2019-2022
Virtual Conference Planning Committee, 2020-Present
Representative, National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care, 2021-Present
Representative, National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care Equity and Inclusion Workgroup, 2021-Present
James Ray:
President-elect, 2022-2023
Board of Trustees – Palliative Care Representative, 2017-2019
Research Committee, 2017-2018
Founding Member, 2017
Michelle Schmidt:
Secretary, Board of Trustees, 2021-2022
Secretary, Executive Board, 2021-2022
Membership Committee
Event Planner, 2020-Present
Chair, 2017-2018
James Ray:
Pharmacotherapy Special Interest Group Chair, 2014-2015
AAHPM & HPNA Annual Assembly Planning Committee, 2012-2014
Kashelle Lockman:
Pain and Palliative Care Section Advisory Group, Section of Ambulatory Care Practitioners
Chair, 2022-2023
Vice-Chair, 2021-2022
Member, 2019-2023
James Ray:
Pain and Palliative Care Section Advisory Group
Member, 2012-2017
Past Chair, 2016-2017
Chair, 2015-2016
Vice Chair, 2014-2015
Pain and Palliative Care Task Force Co-Chair, 2004-2007
Pain Management Network Facilitator, 2002
Kashelle Lockman:
Member, Professional Education Committee, 2022-2024
Kashelle Lockman:
Academic Affairs Committee, 2021-2023
Teachers Seminar Committee, 2020-2021
Advocacy
SOLACE Collaborative faculty and palliative care certificate students engage in advocacy to expand access to palliative care locally and nationally. SOLACE faculty advocacy efforts have included CDC opioid policies, DEA telehealth rules, and legislation impacting peoples' lives with pain and serious illnesses.
Compassionate Care
Compassion is at the heart of palliative care. Specialists help manage pain and other symptoms, while also offering emotional, social, and spiritual support. The team is committed to both inpatient and outpatient service, and the College of Pharmacy has a close partnership with the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.
The impact one person can have on a patient and their family isn’t adequately conveyed by numbers. The College's palliative-care team received this thank you addressed to alumnus Marianne Carter, PharmD, '19, who worked in the outpatient palliative-care clinic for a year between pharmacy school and a UI palliative-care residency.
"Thank you so much for the kindness you always extended to our beloved. She was grateful for your compassion each time she came to see you. You being able to help her remain comfortable as she made her journey through this battle for the last year was imperative to help her enjoy the closing chapter of her life here. We know she is in pain no more...we extend a heartfelt thank you for helping her to get there peacefully."
Education
Education is the bedrock of the SOLACE Collaborative. This is where students are trained to make a difference in the lives of patients and families undergoing a serious illness.
Programs
The UI College of Pharmacy has three programs to teach palliative care:
- Doctor of Pharmacy
- Palliative Care Certificate
- Palliative Care Pharmacy Residency -- Collaborating with UIHC Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship
High-Impact Components
A trio of high-impact components enable effectiveness and success of our educational programs:
- Palliative care thread in required PharmD courses
- Ability to practice palliative care skills in a safe environment that allows feedback
and growth. This is achieved through “fishbowls” and simulations with standardized patients who are actors. - Embodied Labs Virtual Reality
“Whoa, the virtual reality was awesome. I have very little personal experience with severe illness and being able to put myself in a patient’s shoes was a game changer. It really helped me think more in depth about the holistic approach we need to take in medicine.” -Palliative Care Certificate student
Check out the animated video below, made by alumni Brandi Loging, PharmD '21 and Steven Landa, PharmD '21, about the importance of palliative care for student pharmacists and other health-care professionals from the patient perspective.
After clicking on the Donate To Solace button above, you will be directed to another site.
Be sure to enter "Palliative Care" in the "please indicate where you would like your gift directed" box.