St. Joe's launches Pegasus palliative care team to reach more patients

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton launched the Pegasus palliative care team to bring palliative specialists into other clinic areas; the pilot began in February 2025 and the team has served about 40–50 patients.

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton has created a palliative care team called Pegasus that meets patients in the clinic offices of other specialists. The service is intended to make palliative care more accessible by allowing specialists to consult palliative clinicians during existing appointments. Pegasus began as a pilot in February 2025 with the nephrology and respirology departments and expanded to all St. Joe's patients last summer. Clinicians involved describe the team as focused on symptom management, whole-person support and discussions about values and treatment choices. Key facts: - Pegasus provides palliative care within specialist clinic areas rather than requiring separate appointments. - The program began as a pilot in February 2025 with nephrology and respirology and became available to all St. Joe's patients last summer. - Dr. Mino Mitri, head of palliative medicine, estimates the team has served between 40 and 50 patients. - Participating clinicians say the team helps with symptom control, quality-of-life support and conversations about treatment options. Summary: The model has allowed palliative specialists to reach patients during existing clinic visits and has served several dozen people since the pilot. Undetermined at this time.