Division of Hospital and Palliative Medicine

About the Division

The Division of Hospital and Palliative Medicine delivers high-quality, patient-centered care across the inpatient and post-acute care continuum. Our division encompasses Hospital Medicine, Palliative Care, and Transitions of Care (which includes the Enhanced SNF Program and Transitional Care services for high risk patients).

Hospital Palliative Division Group Photo

Our Hospital Medicine faculty provide 24/7 in-house coverage at Keck Hospital of USC and manage complex patients on teaching primary medicine services, actively lead co-management services, oversee the Evaluation and Treatment Clinic (ETC) during nights and weekends, help access to KMC’s T/Q services via transfer center coordination, and engage in education for learners of various levels. The Palliative Care team delivers compassionate, multidisciplinary support for patients and families—across both inpatient and outpatient settings.

With a strong commitment to education, quality improvement, and clinical innovation, the division plays a central role in shaping the future of hospital-based care at Keck Medicine and the Keck School of Medicine of USC.

Our division is grounded in the belief that exceptional inpatient and palliative care requires clinical excellence, teamwork, and a commitment to thoughtful innovation. As academic hospitalists and palliative care clinicians, we care for complex patients during some of their most vulnerable moments—while continually striving to improve systems, teach our learners, and deliver care that is both efficient and deeply human.

Rishi Mehta, MD
Chief, Division of Hospital & Palliative Medicine
Medical Director of Clinical Efficiency, Keck Hospital of USC
Medical Director of Hospital Medicine, Keck Medical Center of USC

Contact Us

Jennifer K. Severa, MPA
Senior Clinical Administrator/Division Administrator
severa@med.usc.edu

Holly Gunderson
Operations Manager and Research Lead
and Assistant to Aneesah Smith, MD, Vice Chair for Culture and Engagement,
Department of Medicine
hollygun@med.usc.edu

Alina Lichardi, MHA
Clinical Affairs Analyst & Faculty Development Administrator
Alina.Missirian@med.usc.edu

Danica Tolentino, MS
Operations and Academic Program Administrator
Danicatolentino@med.usc.edu