Susan E. Cohen, MD

As a palliative care physician and educator at NYU Langone Health, I have the privilege of partnering with researchers across divisions to support research focused on people living with serious illness. My scholarly work is centered
on education, outpatient palliative care, program development, bioethics and palliative care in the safety net environment. As we build our workforce to serve diverse patient populations, it is essential to provide training
opportunities for learners from a wide range of backgrounds, ensuring they are equipped to care for all individuals, regardless of their circumstances.

My interest in medicine was sparked by a fascination with both science and the human experience. I began my academic journey studying psychology andcommunity health, and it became clear that medicine was the most direct way
to have a meaningful impact on people's lives. During my training, I was fortunate to be mentored by pioneers in palliative care—individuals who were early founders and leaders in the field. Their guidance and support encouraged me to pursue a career in palliative medicine and shaped my approach to patient care. In palliative care, my approach is grounded in a genuine curiosity about the person in front of me. I strive to understand not just their medical condition but their life beyond it—who they are, what matters to them, and how they envision their care. Whether I am caring for patients with cancer, heart failure, stroke, trauma, or other serious illnesses, my goal is to relieve the physical, emotional, and spiritual burdens they face, while helping them navigate the complexities of serious illness.

The true strength of palliative care lies in the interdisciplinary team. Our team includes professionals from diverse disciplines—medicine, nursing, spiritual care, and social work—each of us bringing our expertise, experiences, and perspectives to the table. Together, we collaborate to help patients and their families identify what is most important to them and ensure they receive care that aligns with their values and goals. This holistic, patient-centered approach is what makes palliative care so impactful, and I am deeply honored to be part of a team that helps people achieve their most meaningful care outcomes.