St. Joe’s New Palliative Care Team Expands Access to Patients

A new palliative care initiative at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton aims to enhance access for patients facing life-threatening illnesses. The program, known as Pegasus, brings palliative care directly to the offices of patients’ specialists, allowing for immediate support without the need for additional appointments. This innovative model was established to streamline the integration of palliative care into ongoing treatment plans.

Dr. Mino Mitri, a leading figure in the development of Pegasus, explained that the name symbolizes their mission to “fly” to various clinic areas within the hospital. This approach is designed to preserve the established relationships patients have with their specialists while offering additional support for their complex needs. “We didn’t want to take that away from them,” Mitri stated.

The Pegasus program began as a pilot in February 2025, initially partnering with the nephrology and respirology departments. Since expanding its reach to all patients with life-threatening conditions last summer, the team estimates that they have assisted between 40 and 50 patients.

Innovative Support Beyond End-of-Life Care

Contrary to common perceptions, palliative care is not solely about end-of-life support; it encompasses improving overall function and quality of life for patients. Mitri highlighted that palliative care can significantly benefit individuals who are earlier in their disease journey. “We’re providing whole-person support that helps patients manage symptoms, plan ahead, and live well on their own terms,” he noted.

The team specializes in managing symptoms and facilitating discussions about treatment options aligned with patients’ values. For example, they guide patients with kidney disease through the decision-making process regarding dialysis treatment, ensuring they understand their choices. “Palliative care is making sure they are being true to themselves the whole way,” Mitri added.

Dr. Joshua Wald, a respirologist involved with Pegasus from its inception, emphasized the program’s value for patients with advanced lung disease, noting that many are unaware of available palliative resources. “The Pegasus program has provided them with access to a team specializing in managing symptoms and discussing options for people near the end of life,” Wald stated.

Similarly, Dr. Meera Joseph, a nephrologist at St. Joseph’s, indicated that the Pegasus team assists her patients in managing symptoms at every stage of their illness, enhancing quality of life throughout their treatment journey.

Shifting Perspectives on Palliative Care

The concept of integrating palliative care into general medical practices is gaining traction, as highlighted by Dr. Samantha Winemaker from McMaster University. She co-authored the book Hope for the Best, Plan for the Rest: 7 Keys for Navigating a Life-Changing Diagnosis with researcher Hsien Seow. Winemaker advocates for early engagement with palliative care resources, encouraging patients to seek support as soon as they face a progressive illness.

In a recent interview, she pointed out that a lack of information often leads families to make reactive and crisis-driven decisions. “I think every cardiologist, virologist, nephrologist, hepatologist, neurologist, oncologist, family practice physician — all of us have a stake in the game,” Winemaker remarked, emphasizing the need for a broader adoption of palliative care principles across the healthcare spectrum.

With continued efforts to promote a palliative approach to healthcare, the goal is to integrate this philosophy so thoroughly that it becomes a standard element of care, rather than a separate specialty. As the Pegasus team demonstrates, enhancing patient care through palliative support can lead to improved outcomes and greater patient satisfaction, ultimately transforming the healthcare landscape for individuals facing serious illnesses.