Palliative Care Advisory Council

Pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 19a-6o, there is established, within available appropriations, a 13-member Palliative Care Advisory Council. The advisory council is tasked with:

  (1) Analyzing the current state of palliative care in the state

(2) Advising the Department of Public Health (DPH) on matters relating to the improvement of palliative care and the quality of life for persons with serious or chronic illnesses.

The statute required the council, by January 1, 2015, to begin annually reporting its findings and recommendations to the DPH commissioner and Public Health Committee and was revised in accordance with Public Act 21-121, to include biennial reporting after January 1, 2022.

Council Membership

View the names, credentials, and appointing authorities for the Palliative Care Advisory Council appointees below.

Appointed by the DPH Commissioner 

1. Chair: Karen Mulvihill, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, ACHPN 
Licensed health care provider with experience or expertise in the provision of (G) inpatient palliative care in a psychiatric facility 

2. Barbara Cass, RN 
Licensed health care provider with experience or expertise in the provision of (A) Inpatient palliative care in a hospital

3. Tracy Wodatch, BSN, RN 
Licensed health care provider with experience or expertise in the provision of (B) inpatient palliative care in a nursing home facility 

4. ToniAnn Marchone  RHHC LRT (M) BS 
Licensed health care provider with experience or expertise in the provision of (C) palliative care in the patient's home or a community setting 

5. Kerry M. Moss, MD 
Licensed health care provider with experience or expertise in the provision of (D) pediatric palliative care 

6. Taryn J. Hamre, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CHPPN
Licensed health care provider with experience or expertise in the provision of (E) palliative care for young adults 

7. Andrew Putnam, MD, BA
Licensed health care provider with experience or expertise in the provision of  (F) palliative care for adults or elderly persons 

Appointed by the Legislature

8. Sister Catherine Mary Clarke, F.S.E., MSW 
Licensed social worker experienced in working with persons with serious or chronic illness and their family members 
Appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives 

9. William Nolan, PharmD 
Licensed pharmacist experienced in working with persons with serious or chronic illness
Appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate 

10. Charles Williams, DMin, MDiv 
Spiritual counselor experienced in working with persons with serious or chronic illness and their family members 
Appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives 

11. Nicole Neifeld, MPA 
Representative of the American Cancer Society or a person experienced in advocating for persons with serious or chronic illness and their family members 
Appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate 

Appointed by the Governor

12. Joseph Sacco, MD 
Physician certified by the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine 

13. Melanie Cama, APRN 
Registered nurse or advanced practice registered nurse certified by the National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses