CMF hosts first palliative care training graduation

June 7, 2024

CMF acting Warden Daniel Cueva.

California Medical Facility (CMF) recently held their first Pastoral Care Worker Palliative Care Training graduation.

Topics covered in the 40-hour intensive training included:

communication and listening
cultural competency
caring for older adults
understanding advanced illnesses
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, better known as HIPAA
universal precautions, interventions and the dying process
trauma-informed care
understanding grief and loss
self-care and spirituality.

Palliative Care graduation at CMF with a woman handing a certificate to an incarcerated man. — Dr. DiTomas congratulates a graduate.

The CMF event celebrated the graduation of the first 12 trainees who completed the new structured palliative care training.

The celebration also showed appreciation for all of the current workers and volunteers who give so much to the CMF Hospice, Correctional Treatment Center and Memory Care Units.

Graduates and workers were encouraged to invite family members to join in the celebration, one more way the facility is attempting to normalize the prison environment.

The graduation included guest speakers, music and a catered dinner for all those attending.

“We wanted our graduates’ families to see firsthand not only the result of their hard work, but the respect and appreciation our staff have for the services they provide. It was really great to meet our worker’s families and see the pride on everyone’s faces,” said Dr. DiTomas, the Chief Medical Executive over palliative care. “It’s a great reminder of why programs like these that support rehabilitation and self-worth are so important.”

Story by Lt. Priscilla Gonzalez, AA/PIO
Photos by Richard Tan, TV Specialist