UPDATE:

Dear AHS Palliative Care Supporters,

Just writing to those of you who signed our petition to give a very hopeful update.

With your support and the financial support of the Stupski Foundation, we were able to bring all the members of our palliative care team back to work. THANK YOU!!!

The working with grant funding is not a permanent solution - now we begin the work of collaborating with AHS to determine a financial sustainability plan for AHS palliative care. Which we are working hard on.

Your support of our services and the patients we serve means the world - thank you again for your support.

-AHS Palliative Care

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Save Palliative Care at Alameda Health System

To our beloved Alameda County and Alameda Health System Community:

Being diagnosed with a serious illness such as advanced cancer, heart, liver, lung, or renal disease, or dementia turns life upside down for people and their families. These illnesses are even more challenging in the setting of limited resources.

Due to layoffs at Alameda Health System, Palliative Care Services, which are standard in other health systems, are being closed.

The Alameda Health System Palliative Care Service is a specially trained team of nurses, a community liaison, advanced practice providers, social workers, chaplains, and physicians who provide an extra layer of support for Alameda Health System patients who are experiencing serious illness. We provide support, connection to resources, treatment of pain and discomfort, and counseling and advocacy to assist patients and their families getting the treatments that are right for them.

On Friday December 19, 2025, the 3 primary staff members for our outpatient clinic were put on leave, with plans to terminate their positions. They were given no time to notify patients of their departure, or to transition work to other staff. This has left our patients reeling and our remaining team members struggling to meet their needs.

We have been informed that the primary providers for our Alameda & San Leandro Hospital teams will be put on leave with plans to terminate their positions on January 6, 2026. This will result in the closure of services at these two hospitals.

If you support the continued provision of Palliative Care at Alameda Health System, please join this petition to let AHS leaders know.