Home Palliative Medicine Consult Service Palliative Medicine Clinical Rotation Support Web Sites


Palliative Medicine Clinical Rotation

By collaborating with community hospice programs and community hospitals, the Scranton Temple Residency Program (STRP) has developed a clinical rotation in palliative medicine for medical students, medical residents, nurse practitioners and other healthcare providers. Under the supervision of experienced palliative medicine physicians, program participants take an active role in the care of patients at the end-of-life (EOL). Care is provided in the home, the hospital as well as the inpatient hospice setting. Through patient care and individual instruction, participants develop those skills necessary to become effective healthcare providers to patients at the EOL. Special emphasis is placed on pain and symptom management; patient and family communication and decision making at the EOL.

Click here to view the Palliative Medicine Curriculum.

Articles - (Click Here)

Clinical Case of the Month

Clinical Faculty

Vincent Jay Vanston, MD

Since 1995, Vincent Jay Vanston, MD has served as the medical director of the Mercy Hospice Program and the associate program director of the Scranton-Temple Residency Program. After receiving his bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University, Doctor Vanston went on to complete his medical school training at Temple University in 1989. In addition to board certification in Internal Medicine, he recertified in the specialty of Hospice and Palliative Medicine in 2004. He has given presentations on palliative medicine at local, state and national meetings.

Christian Adonizio, MD

Christian Adonizio, MD has practiced Hematology and Oncology in Dunmore, PA since 2002. A graduate of Jefferson Medical College, Doctor Adonizio completed his residency in Internal Medicine from Lankenau Hospital in 1999. He subsequently went on to complete a fellowship in Hematology and Oncology from Fox Chase Cancer Center in 2002. The last year of his fellowship was dedicated to supportive oncology and palliative medicine. Doctor Adonizio also serves as the medical director of VNA Hospice of Lackawanna County.

Sal Scialla, MD

Sal Scialla, MD is currently Chief of Hematology at the Scranton-Temple Residency Program. He maintains a medical practice in Hematology and Oncology in Dunmore, PA. Dr. Scialla finished medical school at the University of Medicine and Dentistry, in New Jersey and completed his residency at Martland Hospital, East Orange, NJ. He was awarded a fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center specializing in Hematology and Oncology. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology, Oncology, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine.

Harmar Brereton, MD

Doctor Brereton is board certified in Radiation Therapy, Hematology, Medical Oncology and Internal Medicine. He earned his bachelor's degree from Yale University and his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Doctor Brereton subsequently went on to receive his oncology training at the National Cancer Institute, Georgetown University Hospital and the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Currently with NROC, he has provided radiation services to patients in Northeastern Pennsylvania for over twenty-two years