Congratulations: Professor Joan Teno
10th March 2025
Earlier this year Professor Joan Teno attended a graduation ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall in London to receive the Fellowship of King’s College London. A globally-recognized clinical academic, she has transformed palliative care through research and advocacy.
After earning her medical degree at Jefferson Medical College, USA, she specialised in internal medicine, geriatrics, and palliative medicine. Her early work as a hospice physician shaped her commitment to improving end-of-life care. She has authored over 350 research papers, with around 30,000 citations, and her innovative use of US Medicare data has influenced policy and healthcare delivery.
At Brown University, she developed the Brown University Family Evaluation of Hospice Care, widely used to assess hospice services. She also led the creation of the Toolkit of Instruments to Measure Care at the End of Life, equipping providers with essential evaluation tools. Her leadership in the SUPPORT study advanced understanding of patient preferences and advance care planning.
Professor Teno has advised organizations like the Institute of Medicine and the World Health Organization, guiding governments on using data to enhance health systems. Her longstanding collaboration with Cicely Saunders International as a member of our Scientific Expert Panel highlights her dedication to interdisciplinary research and patient care.
Professor Irene Higginson, Scientific Director of Cicely Saunders International said:
“Today, we celebrate Professor Joan M. Teno’s extraordinary leadership, her enduring dedication and her tireless efforts to improve care for vulnerable people globally. Her long-standing collaboration with Cicely Saunders International, as a member of our International Scientific Expert Panel, underscores her dedication to interdisciplinary research and patient care”.