North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 680)
Dr. Alison Zavodny, owner of Lanier Supportive Medicine, visited with host John Ray to discuss palliative medicine, and how she works with patients to manage the symptoms and relieve the stress of very serious illnesses. She described the profile of patients she works with, the services she offers, and why she chose this field. Alison also talked about how she interfaces with other providers, how her work differs from hospice, and much more.
North Fulton Business Radio is broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.
The physicians at Lanier Supportive Medicine want to practice medicine the way it used to be. 
They are not a high-volume fast paced practice. They will take the time to get to know you and what “living well” means for your life.
They utilize evidence-based medicine that isn’t limited to pharmaceuticals. They have a network of complementary and integrative medicine practitioners if you desire a referral.
Lanier’s goal is to support you and those important to you as you live with serious illness.
This means having a doctor who is empathetic, who can dedicate an hour to you (and every patient like you) and utilize evidence-based medicine that isn’t limited to pharmaceuticals. Some examples of support are:
- Assistance with advance care planning such as living wills and the designation of decision makers.
- Assistance in coordination of care with home care, extended-care facilities, or hospice care.
- Anticipatory grief, as well as grief experienced during the patients last days.
Alison Zavodny, MD, Palliative Medicine Specialist, Lanier Supportive Medicine
Alison Krause Zavodny, MD is board certified in hospice and palliative medicine. Her passion is to provide state of the science symptom management and holistic care for people with serious medical illnesses such as cancer, heart failure, and neurological diseases. Dr. Zavodny schedules adequate time during visits to develop meaningful relationships with her patients and their families — assuring they feel seen, heard, and valued throughout their entire health journey. Dr. Zavodny partners with patients and families to address concerns and learn about important goals.
Cancer and other serious illnesses affect patient’s lives but also impact the lives of the families, caregivers, and friends. Dr. Zavodny realizes that everyone is worried, everyone is stressed, and everyone wants to understand what is happening medically and what might be expected during the course of illness. She follows her patient’s preferences for communicating with others who are important in their lives.
Dr. Zavodny was raised in Pennsylvania and attended St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana, graduating with a degree in chemistry. She attended Georgetown University School of Medicine before completing her residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center. Following residency, she moved to Atlanta where she practiced Internal Medicine. When Dr. Zavodny discovered the field of Palliative Medicine, she completed a fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at the University of Alabama. Dr. Zavodny is an expert in symptom management and helping patients and their families cope with a serious illness. She brings over twenty years of experience practicing palliative medicine in hospitals and outpatient clinics.
Questions and Topics in this Interview:
- What is palliative medicine?
- How did you come to this field of medicine?
- How do I know when I need your services?
- Who can access your services?
- How do other doctors perceive your role?
- Do you get referrals from specialists?
- What is the difference between palliative care and hospice?
North Fulton Business Radio is hosted by John Ray and broadcast and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, TuneIn, and others.
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