Honoring Palliative Care Month
Dr. Amanda Sedlacek
Yankton Medical Clinic’s Dr. Amanda Sedlacek was the second adult Board Certified Palliative Medicine Physician in the State of South Dakota, and the only local fellowship-trained Palliative Physician. During Palliative Care Month in November, she feels it is important to help educate the public on Palliative care and what is available to area residents. Dr. Sedlacek has been published in the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine in 2024 and presented on two separate topics at the 2024 Annual Assembly of Hospice and Palliative Care.
Dr. Sedlacek explains Palliative Care, “Palliative Care is available to anyone, regardless of age, who is living with a serious illness.” She continues, “When you are coping with an illness like cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or Parkinson’s, you need many things to make your life better—like expert treatment for symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath or fatigue. You may also need emotional or spiritual support to ease the stress of your illness. We collaborate with your multi-specialty team and support you with our Yankton Medical Clinic Interdisciplinary Palliative Care team. Improving the quality of life is the ultimate goal.” Dr. Sedlacek says, “We do that by preventing or treating the symptoms of the disease and conducting a thorough review of medications and their side effects or interactions with your other treatments. Establishing with Palliative Care early honors your autonomy and reduces symptom burden.”
Palliative care also provides support for the caregivers of those who are ill. In fact, there is usually a palliative care team that works together and can include physicians; nurses; social workers; spiritual care coordinators; physical, speech or massage therapists; pharmacists; and dietitians. “It’s important to remember that a Palliative Care Physician does not replace the primary care physician, but rather collaborates to help the patient manage their illness,” Dr. Sedlacek added.
Palliative care may be provided in any number of settings, including in a person's home, in a skilled-nursing facility, assisted-living facility, clinic or hospital. Palliative care is different from hospice, which is a type of care that is at the end of life. Palliative care is for people who may be undergoing curative treatment, maintaining their present level of their health, or transitioning into other stages.
When you or a loved one are facing a serious illness, Dr. Sedlacek encourages you to reach out to receive the support you need. She is available in Yankton, SD, but also offers virtual visits to Creighton, NE; O’Neill, NE; and Gregory, SD. To arrange for an appointment in Yankton or a virtual visit to Creighton or Gregory, simply call Yankton Medical Clinic at 605-665-1152. Palliative Care with Dr. Amanda Sedlacek is just one more way Yankton Medical Clinic provides So Much Care, So Close to Home.
For more information on Palliative Care, please contact Dr. Amanda Sedlacek at Yankton Medical Clinic, P.C. 605-665-1152.