L-R: Hillary Lum, M.D., Ph.D.; Melissa Palmer, J.D.; and Ilian Mino present the keynote to their keynote, "CU Anschutz Participation in National Dementia Palliative Care Clinical Trial: Interdisciplinary Interventions and Considerations", at the 16th Annual Palliative Care conference at MSU Denver
The 16th Annual Palliative Care Social Work (PCSWK) Conference brought together practitioners, educators, and students on April 11 to focus on one of healthcare’s most critical yet often overlooked pillars: caregivers.
“The reason we’re focused on caregiving is because it’s the backbone of the healthcare system… without caregivers, it would be a very different world,” said Metropolitan State University of Denver Department of Social Work chair, Jess Retrum, Ph.D.
Held in a hybrid format at MSU Denver’s Tivoli Turnhalle and online, this year’s theme,
Serious Illness-Related Caregiving: Support Through Practice and Policy, emphasized the essential role caregivers play in palliative and dementia care.
Keynote speaker Dr. Hillary Lum, a renowned geriatrician and palliative medicine physician from CU Anschutz, highlighted interdisciplinary approaches from a national dementia palliative care clinical trial. Her insights underscored the urgent need for integrated care solutions as America’s aging population grows.
Throughout the day, sessions explored trauma-informed interventions, caregiver mental health, and innovative practices like art and narrative therapy.
Maggie Gould leads a "Supporting the Caregivers of Trauma Patients" in the AES building as one of the conference's hybrid panels.
A common thread connected each discussion: caregivers – whether family members or healthcare professionals – need stronger support systems to manage the emotional, physical, and financial demands they face.
That need is only increasing. With over 53 million Americans serving as caregivers (up from 43.5 million in 2015) the palliative care workforce is under mounting pressure. The shortage of trained professionals, particularly in social work, geriatrics, and hospice care, has created a growing gap between patient needs and available services.
Because of this workforce need, Retrum emphasized the importance of equipping social workers with tools and resources to advocate for both patients and caregivers, and why the conference is more important than ever right now.
“Caregivers save the health system billions of dollars every year,” Jess Retrum said. “But they are also among the most at-risk populations due to stress and burnout. Supporting them means supporting the entire continuum of care.”
The conference closed with a call for continued collaboration, policy advancement, and education to strengthen caregiving infrastructure – ensuring that those who care for others aren’t left without care themselves.
A packed Turnhalle for the 16th Annual Palliative Care Conference.
Learn more about the 16th Annual Palliative Care Conference and sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 event.