Dr. James D. Atkisson, MD, FACP, HMDC

Media Releases

Get to know Hospice and Palliative Medicine Specialist Dr. James D. Atkisson, who serves patients in University Place, Washington.

A competent hospice and palliative medicine specialist, Dr. Atkisson is an attending physician at Franciscan Hospice and Palliative Care in University Place, Washington.

CHI Franciscan understands the distress a family endures when a loved one is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Their palliative care team is available from the day of diagnosis to offer medical and emotional support. If a patient chooses to stop treatment and focus on quality of life, their hospice team is available to continue the support to help them live as fully and comfortably as possible.

Graduating from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 1976, Dr. Atkisson went on to complete his residency in general surgery at AMI Presbyterian Denver Hospital, followed by two residencies in internal medicine at Danbury Hospital and Greenwich Hospital in 1980 and 1982, respectively.

A Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP), the doctor is board-certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). The ABIM is a physician-led, non-profit, independent evaluation organization driven by doctors who want to achieve higher standards for better care in a rapidly changing world.

Hospice and palliative medicine is a formal subspecialty of medicine in the United States that focuses on symptom management, relief of suffering, and end-of-life care. Hospice and palliative medicine specialists are medical doctors who help prevent and relieve suffering of patients who have a serious illness or who have only a short time left to live. They work with a team of other professionals to address the needs of both the patient and loved ones.

Recommended Articles

• What are the Causes and Symptoms of Meningitis?

  Inflammation of the meninges, the delicate membrane covering brain and spinal cord, is called as meningitis. There are different types of meningitis based on the cause of the disease. Some of these forms have very mild symptoms and may resolve on its own, while some other forms are serious and life...

• Walk Your Way to a Healthy Life

  Walking is one of the simplest forms of exercise and does not require any equipment, other than a pair of good shoes.Julia Valentour, MS, exercise physiologist and program coordinator for the American Council on Exercise, suggests that exercise doesn't have to be hard to be very effective. If a...

• What Is Colchicine?

  Generic Name: ColchicineBrand Name: ColcrysWhat is colchicine?Colchicine is an oral medication, which is available as a generic and brand-name drug. Colchicine is a prescription drug. The generic form of this drug is usually less expensive than the branded ones. In certain cases, the generic ones...

• Can My Diet Cause Gallstones?

  What are gallstones?Gallstones are hard, stone-like crystals found in the gallbladder. The gallbladder is an organ found beneath the liver, particularly on the right side of the abdominal cavity. The pear-shaped organ releases bile into the small intestine to help digest the food we eat. The liver...

• Mono vs. Strep Throat Symptoms

  OverviewA sore throat is often caused by the common cold, which can be a mild condition that resolves on its own without the need for medical treatment. However, there are also other causes of sore throats, such as strep throat and infectious mononucleosis or mono, which is caused by...

• Fast Walking for a Fast Memory

  Take a Walk Down Memory LaneWalking speed and strength of hand grip can help predict the risk of stroke and memory problems in old age, says a new study. “This forms a very basic test to predict the odds of getting these conditions in old age," says Erica C. Camargo MD, PhD. A decrease in walking...