Jeanie Youngwerth, MD
Associate Professor, Medicine-Internal Medicine

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Medical School:
  • MD, University of Illinois College of Medicine (1996)
Undergraduate School:
  • BS, University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign (IL) (1991)
Internship:
  • University of Colorado (1997)
Residency:
  • University of Colorado, Internal Medicine (1999)
Languages: English
Department: Medicine-Internal Medicine

Professional Titles

  • Fellowship Associate Program Director
  • Director of Palliative Care Curriculum
  • Program Director, Palliative Care Service
  • Hospitalist

Recognition & Awards

  • 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

Research Interests

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

  • Wendel SK, Whitcomb M, Solomon A, Swafford A, Youngwerth J, Wiler JL, Bookman K. Emergency department hospice care pathway associated with decreased ED and hospital length of stay. Am J Emerg Med. 2024 Feb;76:99-104. PubMed PMID: 38039564
  • 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. 2023 Mar;65(3):e241-e244. PubMed PMID: 36404472
  • 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
  • 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
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Professional Memberships

  • American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Member and Palliative Medicine Fellowship Task Force Committee
  • Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM), Member

Practice Locations

UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital (UCH)
12605 E. 16th Ave
Aurora, CO 80045
720-848-0000

CU Medicine Palliative Care - Highlands Ranch Specialty Care Center
1500 Park Central Drive
Suite 101
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
720-516-1089

Hospital Affiliation
  • University of Colorado Hospital
  • UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital

Specialty Information

Specialties
  • Internal Medicine, Board Certification (2000, 2010)
  • 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)
Internships:
  • University of Colorado (1997)
Residency Programs:
  • University of Colorado, Internal Medicine (1999)
Languages: English
Department: Medicine-Internal Medicine
Contact Us
CU Anschutz
Fitzsimons Building

13001 East 17th Place
Campus Box C290
Aurora, CO 80045

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