A Development of Premier Hospitalists of Kansas

We align care with
what matters most

Inpatient palliative care with a rehab background — embedded in your facility, here when you need us. One call. Immediate support.

Function Comfort Dignity
Premier Palliative Care
Office
Fax
844.274.1204
Call or Text 24/7  ·  www.phkansas.com
50%
Re-Hospitalization
35%
Days at Home
70%
Symptom Relief
24/7
Call or Text Availability

Who We Are

An extra layer of support for serious illness

Premier Palliative Care is a development out of Premier Hospitalists of Kansas. Our physicians have twenty-plus years combined working in the rehab setting, as well as managing symptoms of terminal illness with hospice.

We create a holistic treatment plan for patients navigating an acute devastating illness or a late-stage chronic illness while still pursuing curative, restorative medical care. Our program emphasizes rehabilitation medicine, palliative symptom management, and clear prognostication.

Embedded in your hospital service — available at your request, here within the hour.

We are not hospice.

Hospice care is for terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months. Palliative care is for any stage of illness — and can include hospice-qualifying patients who wish to continue pursuing curative treatments.

F

Function

Clarify realistic functional prognosis and maximize independence through embedded rehabilitation medicine.

C

Comfort

Expert symptom management for pain, dyspnea, delirium, and nausea — aligned with what matters most to the patient.

D

Dignity

Help patients prioritize goals, navigate care transitions, and reduce readmissions through thoughtful discharge alignment.

Our Physicians

Dr. Downen & Dr. Morgan

Twenty-plus years combined in skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and hospice settings across Kansas. Available 24/7 — call or text on iMobile.

Dr. Downen
Dr. Downen
Palliative Care Physician

Extensive experience managing symptoms of chronic and terminal illness across rehab and skilled nursing settings. Specializes in complex symptom management, goals-of-care conversations, and helping patients and families reclaim autonomy and control over their care.

Dr. Morgan
Dr. Morgan
Palliative Care Physician

Background in rehabilitation medicine with deep expertise supporting medically complex senior patients. Focuses on breaking the Medicare SNF cycle through proactive palliative planning embedded within existing care teams across Kansas facilities.

What We Offer

Inpatient palliative care with a rehab background

Embedded in your facility and available at your request — we partner with your care team to deliver the full spectrum of palliative support.

Symptom Management

Pain, dyspnea, delirium, nausea — evidence-based protocols tailored to each patient's goals and functional status.

Functional Prognosis

Clarify realistic functional expectations — helping patients, families, and care teams align on what recovery can look like.

Goals of Care

Help patients prioritize personal goals and align care decisions with what matters most — from curative to comfort-focused.

Transitions Navigation

Navigate IRU, SNF, LTACH, and hospice options with families — reducing readmissions through thoughtful discharge alignment.

Family Meetings & GOC

Facilitate early, clear goals-of-care conversations — reducing moral distress and burnout for your clinical team.

Advance Care Planning

Support completing advance directives and POLST forms — ensuring patients' wishes are clearly documented and honored.

Clinical Specialties

Embedded across your clinical programs

We partner with specialty teams across the hospital. Each specialty has tailored referral triggers and dedicated palliative support. One call. Immediate support.

Oncology
Think SPIKES-ONC
  • Stage IV new diagnosis
  • Poor functional status (ECOG 3–4)
  • Refractory symptoms: Pain, Dyspnea, N/V, Delirium
  • Code status unclear or family conflict
  • Readmit within 30 days / prognosis < 18 months
Support for Oncology Team
  • Facilitate early GOC and ACP conversations
  • Symptoms: Pain, SOB, N/V, AMS
  • Navigate family meetings
  • Streamline transitions to hospice
Neurology
Think GCS
  • Large territory ischemic stroke or stroke with prior ↓ ADLs
  • ICH with questionable prognosis
  • High-grade TBI plateau or Anoxic Brain Injury
  • Family or Code Status conflict
  • Prolonged ICU stay (>5 days)
Support for Neuro Team
  • Facilitate early, clear GOC conversations
  • Expert symptom management
  • Decongest your ICU faster
  • Reduce moral distress & burnout
Cardiology
Think HEART-FIT
  • Stage C HF >2 admissions/year or NYHA III despite GDMT
  • Pre-TAVR / High Risk PCI or LVAD evaluation
  • Recurrent ICD shocks (>2 in 6 months)
  • Tough GOC / Code Status conflict
  • Frailty (Rockwood >4) or inotrope consideration
Support for Cardiology Team
  • Facilitate early GOC and ACP conversations
  • Early symptom management
  • Align treatment with patient priorities
  • Reduce 30-day readmissions
Pulmonology
Think BREATH
  • Advanced COPD with recurrent exacerbations
  • Interstitial lung disease with declining function
  • Ventilator dependence with unclear prognosis
  • Refractory dyspnea despite optimal therapy
  • Goals of care unclear for chronic respiratory failure
Support for Pulmonology Team
  • Dyspnea and symptom management expertise
  • Ventilator and trach decision support
  • Facilitate GOC and family meetings
  • Navigate transitions to hospice or home
Nephrology
Think DIAL
  • Advanced CKD stage 4–5 or ESRD initiation decision
  • Dialysis withdrawal or conservative management
  • Frailty or poor functional status on dialysis
  • Recurrent hospitalizations for fluid overload
  • Prognosis < 12 months or goals of care unclear
Support for Nephrology Team
  • Conservative kidney management discussions
  • Dialysis initiation vs. withdrawal conversations
  • Symptom management for uremic symptoms
  • Navigate hospice and end-of-life transitions
Hospitalist / General
Quality of Life Prompts
  • Repeated admissions for same condition
  • Loss of independence in eating or walking
  • End stage chronic illness with ICU admission
  • Prognosis < 18 months or family misaligned on goals
  • Pain, delirium, or dyspnea impairing discharge
Inpatient Palliative Support
  • Expert symptom management
  • Clarify realistic functional prognosis
  • Navigate post-acute options with family
  • DC alignment to reduce readmissions

The Problem We Solve

The Medicare SNF Spiral

A common and exhausting pattern for medically-complex senior patients — Premier Palliative Care is designed to break this cycle.

Disease Exacerbation & Hospitalization
Acute flare-ups lead to repeated healthcare exposures.
Discharge to Skilled Nursing for Rehab
Patients remain medically fragile through subacute rehab.
New Infection or Decline
Complications trigger another return to hospital.
Return to SNF — Further Decline
Each cycle leaves the patient weaker and more vulnerable.
Temporary Stabilization
May improve but rarely return to prior baseline.
Repeat the Cycle
Payment structures incentivize the loop even when not beneficial.
Outcome: Progressive decline. Mental, physical and emotional exhaustion. Loss of independence. Lack of control at end of life.

Break the Cycle

Ask your doctor for a palliative care consultation and establish with our multidisciplinary program. Reclaim your autonomy. Control your symptoms. Access additional support as you navigate the complex healthcare system.

Is palliative care for me?

  • The "system" feels overwhelming
  • Frequent trips to the hospital or ER
  • Recently given an end-stage diagnosis
  • Unmanaged symptoms: pain, nausea, or shortness of breath
  • Wish to discuss personal goals with your care team

Patient & Family Resources

Information for patients and families

Understanding palliative care makes a meaningful difference. Resources to help you navigate this journey with confidence.

01

Understanding Palliative Care

Palliative care is not hospice. It can be received alongside curative treatment at any stage of serious illness.

Read more
02

Managing Symptoms at Home

A guide for family caregivers on recognizing, communicating, and managing pain and symptoms between clinical visits.

Download guide
03

Having Difficult Conversations

Practical guidance for families on how to talk about goals of care, end-of-life wishes, and what matters most.

Read more
04

Advance Directives & POLST

Kansas-specific forms and a step-by-step guide to completing advance directives and making your wishes clearly known.

Download forms
05

Grief & Bereavement Support

Losing a loved one is deeply personal. Resources, support groups, and counseling referrals to help you grieve.

Find support
06

Caregiver Wellness

Addressing caregiver burnout, respite options, and practical ways to sustain your own wellbeing while caring for others.

Read more

Contact & Referrals

One call. Immediate support.

Premier Palliative Care accepts referrals from physicians, facilities, patients, and families. Call or text our physicians directly — available 24/7 on iMobile.

Office
Fax
844.274.1204
Availability
Call or Text 24/7
Available on iMobile · Embedded in your facility
One Call. Immediate Support.

Submit a referral

For urgent needs, call the office directly at 316.755.0144.