Celebrating 10 Years of PCNOW by Dr. Tim Jessick

As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Palliative Care Network of Wisconsin (PCNOW), I reflect on our beginnings. I have a vague but cherished memory of our first concept meeting in November 2014 at Dr. Jim Cleary’s house, joined by Dr. David Weissman, Dr. Muyiwa Adeboye, and other dedicated colleagues. At that time, many palliative care providers in Wisconsin had recently come together in response to proposed changes to state advance care planning. Our physicians organized so effectively to oppose these changes that John Maycroft, a policy advocate for the state, suggested forming a state-based palliative care network. And that is exactly what we did.

By February or March of 2015, we officially convened to discuss the idea of a palliative care network. While our memories may be a bit fuzzy after ten years, we recall gathering at the Wisconsin Medical Society office, where several palliative and hospice leaders agreed on the immense value of establishing a state network. In an early moment of humor, I suggested the name “PCOW” in honor of Wisconsin’s Dairy State reputation—but that idea was quickly dismissed. Instead, we settled on the Palliative Care Network of Wisconsin, or PCNOW.

Launching our nonprofit network required financial support. Initially, we even considered passing the hat among ourselves to gather contributions. However, thanks to the generosity of Rick Abrams, then-President of the Wisconsin Medical Society, we received the necessary seed funding to move forward. His support was instrumental, and we remain deeply grateful.

In our early days, we operated with limited resources. Dr. David Weissman took on the significant task of creating our first website, showcasing not only his technical skills but also his dedication to sharing knowledge and resources in palliative care. His efforts were invaluable in establishing our online presence, and we continue to appreciate his contributions.

Over the years, PCNOW has become widely recognized as the home of Fast Facts, a vital resource in the field of palliative care. Now approaching 500 published editions, Fast Facts has been an essential tool for healthcare professionals. This ongoing collaboration has been a cornerstone of our mission, and we are incredibly grateful for its impact.

I am especially thankful for the initial strategy session at Dr. Cleary’s house, where this journey began. I appreciate the steadfast support of Dr. Weissman and Dr. Jim Deming in co-founding PCNOW. That first gathering of palliative and hospice leaders laid the foundation for an organization committed to providing high-quality resources for those caring for patients at the end of life. I am also deeply grateful to every volunteer board member who has contributed their time and energy over the years. Importantly, our commitment to keeping PCNOW’s resources freely accessible to all has remained steadfast.

Above all, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the more than 5,000 subscribers who have joined the PCNOW family. Your engagement with Fast Fact Friday and your generous donations have enabled us to sustain our mission for a decade. It is you—caring for patients, families, and colleagues—who make this work meaningful. Thank you for all that you do.

We are truly blessed by the community we have built and the patients we serve every day.

With deep appreciation,

Tim Jessick
Co-Founder of Palliative Care Network of Wisconsin