09/14/2026
What can medical students learn from hospice and palliative care?
A great deal.
Dr. Melanie Stickrath, Medical Director at Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care, is helping the next generation of physicians gain a deeper understanding of patient-centered care through the CU School of Medicine Colorado Springs Branch’s Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship.
As a preceptor, Dr. Stickrath worked with medical student Elena De Schutter (pictured) from December through early August. Every other week, Elena spent a half day with Dr. Stickrath in palliative care clinic or visiting hospice patients. This longitudinal experience gave Elena the opportunity to follow patients over time and see medicine from the patient’s perspective, rather than experiencing care as a series of individual visits.
Elena shared: “The community at Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care was incredibly welcoming. They always made me feel like a part of the team. Everyone was very generous with their time, giving me innumerable opportunities to learn from their expertise. Hearing from the patients, their families, and being able to be a part of their care was a true privilege and humbling experience. My rotation here has taught me about the importance of honoring patient values and thinking about the effects of medical care far beyond a clinical setting.”
Dr. Stickrath also helps educate the broader group of CU School of Medicine students in Colorado Springs, teaching on topics including dementia care, advance directives, end-of-life care and pain management.
Her commitment to medical education has already earned recognition. In 2025, Dr. Stickrath was named Internal Medicine/Specialty Teacher of the Year by the CU School of Medicine Colorado Springs Branch.
We are proud to have a physician at Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care who is not only dedicated to providing exceptional care to patients and families, but also to preparing the next generation of physicians to understand the importance of compassionate, whole-person care.
