Robert L. Smeltz

As a nurse with nearly 30 years of experience, over 20 of which have been dedicated to palliative care, hospice, and pain management, I’ve had the privilege of working with patients and families during some of the most profound moments in their lives. I started my career in nursing drawn to the caring and compassionate side of medicine. Early on, I became a hospice nurse, where I witnessed the powerful impact that end-of-life care can have on individuals and their loved ones. This work illuminated for me the importance of providing palliative support earlier in the disease trajectory, inspiring my commitment to palliative care as a specialty.

My passion for this field drives me to be fully present with patients as they navigate difficult circumstances. Building trust with patients is paramount, and I do this by truly listening and holding space with them through moments of suffering. I strive to provide not only expert care but also a calming presence, fostering a sense of trust and hope during some of their most challenging times.

In my practice, I care for adults with serious illnesses and a range of complex symptoms requiring palliative care. My focus includes mastering symptom management, as well as effective communication and empathy, skills that I consider vital to my practice. Additionally, I incorporate mindfulness and resilience-building into my work with patients and families, which I believe can make a real difference in their journey. I’m equally passionate about sharing these skills with other clinicians to strengthen their ability to support patients in need.

As a calm and quiet leader, I aim to foster a supportive environment for my team, where clinicians feel both trusted and safe. I find great fulfillment in mentoring and teaching, which I see as central to advancing palliative care practices. Patients who seek my care can trust in my commitment to excellence, my expertise in pain and symptom management, and my dedication to building genuine, hopeful relationships.

I am deeply involved in quality improvement initiatives within our palliative care service, working to ensure that our team consistently delivers the highest standard of care. I’m also honored to have been recognized by the NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing as a "Preceptor of the Year" and acknowledged by Health and Hospitals as a leader in nursing. These recognitions underscore my commitment to quality patient care and my dedication to supporting others in providing compassionate, skilled palliative care.