ST. JOSEPH — Hospice at Home, a Lakeland Health Affiliate recently welcomed David Collins, MD, to its medical staff where he will be caring for palliative medicine patients.

Palliative care is a multidisciplinary approach to care for people with serious illnesses with a focus on providing relief from the symptoms, pain, physical stress, and mental stress of a serious illness — whatever the diagnosis.

Dr. Collins earned his medical degree from Southern Illinois School of Medicine, in Springfield, Illinois, and went on to complete his residency at Washington Hospital Family Practice in Washington, Pennsylvania. He completed his fellowship at Tacoma Rural Medicine, in Tacoma Washington.

Prior to relocating to southwest Michigan, Dr. Collins worked as a Family Physician at InterCare Community Health Network, in Benton Harbor. While at InterCare, he supervised physician assistants in training. He is currently a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, as well as the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians.

Patients can visit www.hospiceathomecares.org for more information.

Hospice at Home, a Lakeland Health Affiliate, provides quality care to people adjusting to living with a serious illness, as well as to people facing death, anticipating the death of a loved one, or healing their grief after the death of a loved one. Services are provided to patients and their families regardless of the patients’ diagnosis, treatment choices, or ability to pay. Hospice at Home places an emphasis on the emotional, social, and spiritual needs of those who need care and those receiving support services. Extending this care, Lory’s Place, a bereavement and education center that builds hope and strength for every grieving family, is available to anyone in southwest Michigan or northern Indiana. For more information, visit www.hospiceathomecares.org