Denver's Top Doctors Award - Palliative Medicine, 5280
(2018)
Regional top provider voted on by the region's physicians and published in
the 5280 magazine
Presidential Citation for Meritorious Service Award, University of Colorado Hospital
(2018)
University of Colorado Hospital recognition for outstanding contribution to organizational performance improvement, patient safety and clinical outcomes, and enduring commitment and vision
Expert Council for Clinical Excellence and Leadership, Department of Medicine
(2018)
EXCCEL serves as a Department of Medicine resource to promote and model the culture of exceptional clinical care
Denver's Top Doctors Award - Palliative Medicine, 5280 Magazine
(2017)
Regional top provider voted on by the region's physicians and published in
the 5280 magazine
Denver's Top Doctors Award - Palliative Medicine, 5280 Magazine
(2016)
Regional top provider voted on by the region's physicians and published in
the 5280 magazine
Kaiser Permanente Teaching Award: Outstanding Clinical Teacher, UCD School of Medicine
(2015)
Awarded by the School of Medicine students to recognize outstanding clinical teaching
Gold Headed Cane Award, Department of Medicine
(2015)
Awarded by the Department of Medicine faculty and residents for “your single devotion to the interests of your patients and the promise that you will uphold the tradition of your doctor position”
Denver's Top Doctors Award - Palliative Medicine, 5280 Magazine
(2015)
Regional top provider voted on by the region's physicians and published in
the 5280 magazine
Excellence in Clinical Innovation Award, University of Colorado Hospital
(2014)
University of Colorado Hospital recognition of major contributions to excellence in clinical care with the Palliative Care Service
Fellow Status from the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, AAHPM
(2014)
Advancement to fellowship status within the academy honors dedication to and scholarship in the field of the hospice and palliative medicine
Denver's Top Doctors Award - Palliative Medicine, 5280 Magazine
(2014)
Regional top provider voted on by the region's physicians and published in
the 5280 magazine
Denver's Top Doctors Award - Palliative Medicine, 5280 Magazine
(2013)
Regional top provider voted on by the region's physicians and published in
the 5280 magazine
Advanced Certification in Palliative Care, Joint Commission
(2013)
Recognizes hospital programs that demonstrate exceptional patient and family-centered care and optimize the quality of life for patients with serious illness
President’s Award - Rock Solid Economics, University of Colorado Hospital
(2013)
Recognition of the commitment and dedication to the University of Colorado Hospital and patients
Denver's Top Doctors Award - Palliative Medicine, 5280 Magazine
(2012)
Regional top provider voted on by the region's physicians and published in the 5280 magazine
Clinical Effectiveness and Patient Safety Award, University of Colorado Hospital
(2011)
Recognition of major contributions to patient safety and the leadership and successes of the Palliative Care service
Denver's Top Doctors Award - Palliative Medicine, 5280 Magazine
(2010)
Regional top provider voted on by the region's physicians and published in
the 5280 magazine
Peak Performer Award - Hospitalist, Rocky Mountain Hospital Medicine Symposium
(2010)
Regional top inpatient provider voted on by the region's physicians, nurses, advance practice nurses, physician assistants and pharmacists
Humanism Award, Hospitalist Training Track
(2008)
Hospitalist Training Tract Attending Physician Role Model demonstrating outstanding achievement in Compassion/Sensitivity, Ethics, Bedside Manner, and Enthusiasm
My research interests include creative arts therapy for people living with serious illness, advance care planning and palliative care in rural settings.
Teaching
Director of Palliative Care Curriculum
(2010)
School of Medicine,
Medicine
Palliative Medicine
Instructor
(2017)
School of Medicine,
Medicine
Master of Science in Palliative Care
Publications
Srolovitz M, Borgwardt J, Burkart M, Clements-Cortes A, Czamanski-Cohen J, Ortiz Guzman M, Hicks MG, Kaimal G, Lederman L, Potash JS, Yazdian Rubin S, Stafford D, Wibben A, Wood M, Youngwerth J, Jones CA, Kwok IB. Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Music Therapy and Art Therapy. J Palliat Med. 2022 Jan;25(1):135-144. PubMed PMID: 34665661
Glinzak L, Yazdian S, Kwok I, Youngwerth J. Integrating Art Therapy into Palliative Care: Man's Identity Exploration in Tattoo Preservation. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2022 Oct 27. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 36404472
Srolovitz M, Borgwardt J, Burkart M, Clements-Cortes A, Czamanski-Cohen J, Ortiz Guzman M, Hicks MG, Kaimal G, Lederman L, Potash JS, Yazdian Rubin S, Stafford D, Wibben A, Wood M, Youngwerth J, Jones CA, Kwok IB. Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Music Therapy and Art Therapy. J Palliat Med. 2022 Jan;25(1):135-144. PubMed PMID: 34665661
Singh S, Herrmann K, Cyriacks W, Youngwerth J, Bickel KE, Lum HD. Increasing Medical Power of Attorney Completion for Hospitalized Patients During the COVID Pandemic: A Social Work Led Quality Improvement Intervention. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2021 Mar;61(3):579-584.e1. PubMed PMID: 33271315
Brungardt A, Wibben A, Tompkins AF, Shanbhag P, Coats H, LaGasse AB, Boeldt D, Youngwerth J, Kutner JS, Lum HD. Virtual Reality-Based Music Therapy in Palliative Care: A Pilot Implementation Trial. J Palliat Med. 2021 May;24(5):736-742. PubMed PMID: 33227225
O'Keefe S, Maddux AB, Bennett KS, Youngwerth J, Czaja AS. Variation in Pediatric Palliative Care Allocation Among Critically Ill Children in the United States. Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2021 May 1;22(5):462-473. PubMed PMID: 33116070
Singh S, Herrmann K, Cyriacks W, Youngwerth J, Bickel KE, Lum HD. Increasing Medical Power of Attorney Completion for Hospitalized Patients During the COVID Pandemic: A Social Work Led Quality Improvement Intervention. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2020 Dec 1. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 33271315
Brungardt A, Wibben A, Tompkins AF, Shanbhag P, Coats H, LaGasse AB, Boeldt D, Youngwerth J, Kutner JS, Lum HD. Virtual Reality-Based Music Therapy in Palliative Care: A Pilot Implementation Trial. J Palliat Med. 2020 Nov 23. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 33227225
O'Keefe S, Maddux AB, Bennett KS, Youngwerth J, Czaja AS. Variation in Pediatric Palliative Care Allocation Among Critically Ill Children in the United States. Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2020 Oct 28. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 33116070
Lin CT, Bookman K, Sieja A, Markley K, Altman RL, Sippel J, Perica K, Reece L, Davis C, Horowitz E, Pisney L, Sottile PD, Kao D, Adrian B, Szkil M, Griffin J, Youngwerth J, Drew B, Pell J. Clinical informatics accelerates health system adaptation to the COVID-19 pandemic: examples from Colorado. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2020 Dec 9;27(12):1955-1963. PubMed PMID: 32687152
Youngwerth J, Coats H, Jones A, Wibben A, Somes E, Felton S, Anderson A, Flarity K, Elliot K, Kutner JS. Therapeutic Effects: The Integration of Creative Arts Therapy in Palliative Care. OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine. 2020 Jan;1(5):1-9. doi:10.21926/obm.icm.2001004
Youngwerth J, Coats H, Jones A, Wibben A, Somes E, Felton S, Anderson A, Flarity K, Elliott K, Kutner JS. Integrating Creative Arts Therapy with Palliative Care. J Palliat Med. 2019 Nov;22(11):1306-1307. PubMed PMID: 31661396
Swarm RA, Paice JA, Anghelescu DL, Are M, Bruce JY, Buga S, Chwistek M, Cleeland C, Craig D, Gafford E, Greenlee H, Hansen E, Kamal AH, Kamdar MM, LeGrand S, Mackey S, McDowell MR, Moryl N, Nabell LM, Nesbit S, O'Connor N, Rabow MW, Rickerson E, Shatsky R, Sindt J, Urba SG, Youngwerth JM, Hammond LJ, Gurski LA. Adult Cancer Pain, Version 3.2019, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2019 Aug 1;17(8):977-1007. PubMed PMID: 31390582
Lum HD, Dukes J, Church S, Abbott J, Youngwerth JM. Teaching Medical Students About "The Conversation": An Interactive Value-Based Advance Care Planning Session. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2018 Feb;35(2):324-329. PubMed PMID: 28273761
Brewer BW, Caspari JM, Youngwerth J, Nathan L, Ripoll I, Heru A. Demoralization in medical illness: Feasibility and acceptability of a pilot educational intervention for inpatient oncology nurses. Palliat Support Care. 2018 Oct;16(5):503-510. PubMed PMID: 28789725
Lum HD, Dukes J, Church S, Abbott J, Youngwerth JM. Teaching Medical Students About "The Conversation": An Interactive Value-Based Advance Care Planning Session. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2018 Feb;35(2):324-329. PubMed PMID: 28273761
Brewer BW, Caspari JM, Youngwerth J, Nathan L, Ripoll I, Heru A. Demoralization in medical illness: Feasibility and acceptability of a pilot educational intervention for inpatient oncology nurses. Palliat Support Care. 2017 Aug 9;:1-8. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 28789725
Kittelson S, Pierce R, Youngwerth J. Palliative Care Scorecard. J Palliat Med. 2017 May;20(5):517-527. PubMed PMID: 28080183
Liu Y, Kline D, Aerts S, Youngwerth JM, Kutner JS, Sillau S, Kluger BM. Inpatient Palliative Care for Neurological Disorders: Lessons from a Large Retrospective Series. J Palliat Med. 2017 Jan;20(1):59-64. PubMed PMID: 27898260
Youngwerth J, Min SJ, Statland B, Allyn R, Fischer S. Caring about prognosis: a validation study of the caring criteria to identify hospitalized patients at high risk for death at 1 year. J Hosp Med. 2013 Dec;8(12):696-701. PubMed PMID: 24227748
Fink RM, Oman KS, Youngwerth J, Bryant LL. A palliative care needs assessment of rural hospitals. J Palliat Med. 2013 Jun;16(6):638-44. PubMed PMID: 23607812
Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Board Certification (2008, 2018)
Clinical Interests
My clinical interests include improving the quality of life and well-being of people living with serious illness.
This physician treats inpatients only and does not make office appointments.
Care Philosophy
I strive to provide the best care for my patients and their loved ones. I believe in learning about each patient as a person in addition to their illness, their values and priorities, and matching what matters most to a person with treatment options to individualize the care of each person.
Personal Interests
In my spare time, I enjoy mountain biking.
Volunteer Activities
I am dedicated to improving the health care and well-being of people living with serious illness. I help to inform the community about palliative care and improving the quality of life of our patients and their loved ones.
Public Speaking Yes
I do public speaking on various topics to improve the well-being and quality of life of people living with serious illness.
General Information
Medical Schools:
MD, University of Illinois College of Medicine
(1996)
Undergraduate Schools:
BS, University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign (IL)
(1991)