Ira Byock is a leading palliative care physician and public advocate for improving care through the end of life.


Ira Byock is a leading palliative care physician and public advocate for improving care through the end of life.

Ira Byock, MD - Short Bio https://irabyock.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Ira-Byock-MD-author-academic-advocate-Feb-2022.pdf


Transforming care through the end of life

Byock’s first book, Dying Well, (1997) has become a standard in the field of hospice and palliative care. The Four Things That Matter Most, (2004) is used as a counseling tool widely by palliative care and hospice programs, as well as within pastoral care. His most recent book, The Best Care Possible tackles the crisis that surrounds serious illness and dying in America and his quest to transform care through the end of life. It has been praised by the Wall Street Journal, the Economist and other major publications, and won the Annual Books for a Better Life Award in the category of Wellness.



Transforming care through the end of life

Byock’s first book, Dying Well, (1997) has become a standard in the field of hospice and palliative care. The Four Things That Matter Most, (2004) is used as a counseling tool widely by palliative care and hospice programs, as well as within pastoral care. His most recent book, The Best Care Possible tackles the crisis that surrounds serious illness and dying in America and his quest to transform care through the end of life. It has been praised by the Wall Street Journal, the Economist and other major publications, and won the Annual Books for a Better Life Award in the category of Wellness.



Providence Institute for Human Caring

Providence Health & Services established the Providence Institute for Human Caring and attracted national expert and advocate, Dr. Ira Byock, to lead its formation. The institute represents a major commitment by Providence to accelerate value-based and whole-person health care for frail elders, seriously ill or otherwise vulnerable patients and their families.

Praise from colleagues


Recent videos

From Scratch - A Discussion on Loss with Dr. Ira Byock and Tembi Locke

The Institute for Human Caring, May 15, 2022

Dr. Ira Byock in conversation with Tembi Locke, actress and author, about Sicily and pesto, life and loss.

Winner of the Bronze Telly Award for 2022.

Caring Well through the End of Life - Lessons from the Pandemic

The Institute for Human Caring, April 14, 2022

Drs. Ira Byock and Matthew Gonzales deliver a presentation on how the Institute for Human Caring made healthcare more personal during the COVID pandemic.

A Conversation about Covid-19 and Life with Dr. Ira Byock

The Salome Institute of Jungian, April 16, 2020
In this conversation with Palliative Care pioneer and author, Dr. Ira Byock, we learn about the value of mortality and what we can do in this global health crisis to deepen our relationships and take care of some logistical loose ends. He is joined in conversation by his daughter, Salome Institute director, Satya Doyle Byock April 16th, 2020