Tania Pastrana currently works as the Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Palliative Medicine at the University Hospital RWTH Aachen in Germany. As the IAHPC Research and Academic advisor, the goal of Tania’s work is to support IAHPC’s efforts in generating evidence that will lead to decision making in palliative care and strengthening palliative care education and skills among providers to achieve IAHPC’S vision of a world free of health-related suffering.
In her role as Research adviser, Tania works supporting the design, implementation, analysis of data and publication of studies conducted by the IAHPC and allied institutions. In her role as Academic adviser, Tania supports the design, development and teaching of courses and workshops for the IAHPC. She works closely with the Senior Advocacy Director in her work with multilateral organizations and with the Executive Director in determining the research and educational priorities.
In addition, Tania writes the column “Under my microscope” in the IAHPC monthly newsletter where she presents current scientific research. She also co-authors journal articles and book chapters, and represents the IAHPC in collaborative research projects with academic institutions and civil society organizations.
Tania joined the IAHPC team in 2010 and since then, has been involved in different research projects, such as the Essential Practices and Opioid Price Watch. Her role has expanded over the years to her current position as Research and Academic Advisor.
Tania earned her degree in medicine from Universidad de Caldas, Colombia. At the University of Munich, she studied Sociology, Social Anthropology and Social Psychology and obtained a doctorate in Psychosomatic Medicine and Medical Anthropology at the University of Munich and Max Planck Institute. She has a master in Community Health (University of Heidelberg, Germany) and other in Medical Education (University of Heidelberg, Germany). She concluded her postdoctoral training (Habilitation) in Global Palliative Care at the University of Aachen.
Tania lives in Aachen, Germany, where she works as Assistant Professor for Global Palliative Care since 2007. She loves dancing and travelling around the world.
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How your gift supports the IAHPC mission
Achieved: $24,941
Goal: $30,000
83%
Education
Your gift funds the operational costs of our online courses taught by globally recognized experts who volunteer their time and provide educational resources relevant to palliative care topics. It also supports scholarships that enable palliative care workers to attend educational events and congresses, and allows us to maintain Pallipedia, the free, live, online dictionary.
The goal of this pillar is to implement strategies, resources and tools that will improve the competencies of the global workforce for appropriate palliative care delivery. We have two programs under this pillar plus many other resources for our members.
Your gift enables us to build and strengthen the partnerships that accelerate global, regional, and national advocacy for palliative care. We advocate for its integration into primary health care under universal health coverage and effective access to essential palliative care medicines and packages for people of all ages. Your gift supports our work to prepare delegates and participate in technical consultation meetings of the relevant UN organizations.
The goal this pillar is the integration of palliative care into primary health care within the spectrum of universal coverage to improve access to adequate care for patients in need. We offer the following to our members:
Documents on Human Rights and Access to Medicines and Care
Research
Your gift enables us to continue doing research that provides guidance and recommendations for action, based on responses from the global palliative care community. Such research includes our recent evaluation of the impact of euthanasia and assisted dying practices on palliative care workers and the use of essential medicines for palliative care. It also supports the costs of publications focused on research relevant to palliative care.
The goal of this pillar is to design and implement projects that lead to the integration of palliative care into health policies, resolutions, and key documents. Our studies help us provide guidance and recommendations, and take action based on the responses from the global palliative care community.
Your membership enables you to participate in IAHPC projects such as the:
Your gift enables us to continue our in-depth reporting and book reviews in Pallinews, as well as media campaigns that raise awareness about the need to increase access to care and support for patients and families.
We are a small organization that allocates over 80% of our budget to mission driven programs and to the maintenance of our free website. We need operational funding to continue the work.
Give a gift, get a gift
IAHPC members: When you gift a 2-year membership to a colleague in a low- or middle-income country, we extend your membership by 6 months.