The work of Sister-Doctor Rosemary Ryan in Massachusetts is one of the hundreds of ways in which Medical Mission Sisters around the world try to be a healing presence to those in need today.

Over 25 years ago, Sister-Doctor Rosemary Ryan, who has a degree in internal medicine, became a pioneer in a new health care discipline known as hospice care. Today, she is Medical Director of both the VNA (Visiting Nurses Association) Care Network, which covers a large part of the state of Massachusetts; and Hospice Care, Inc., based in Stoneham, MA.

"We focus on the comfort of a patient when a cure is no longer possible," Sister Rosemary explains. "There is a lot we can do. It begins with symptom relief, but equally important are other dimensions such as the psycho-social and the spiritual."

As director of 2 medical agencies, Sister Rosemary's responsibilities include policy development; chairing ethics committees; reviewing standards of quality care; and teaching and supervising medical care, including hospice care.

Every week, Sister Rosemary reviews the records of patients who have been recently admitted (the total number of admissions for both programs is 1400-1500 yearly). She actively participates in interdisciplinary team meetings; communicates with the patients' primary care physicians when needed; and educates health care providers on issues of hospice, palliative care, and ethical concerns at the end of life.