Eric Mecusker, D.O., is passionate about relating to patients on a human level and encouraging future and present physicians to do the same. During his residency, he was recognized for Excellence in Clinical Teaching by faculty and peers; he seeks to continue this legacy and pass on his knowledge to future colleagues as a faculty member in City of Hope’s ACGME fellowship in hospice and palliative care medicine.
Dr. Mecusker received his osteopathic medical degree from Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Pomona, California. He continued his training in internal medicine at College Medical Center, Long Beach, California, and was a member of the inaugural class for the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship at City of Hope, under the guidance of Director Sorin Buga, M.D.
Dr. Mecusker’s journey to a career in medicine began at age 12 with a poem, describing a dream of one day donning the white coat. Two years later, this dream was solidified as a mission after his mother was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer and ultimately succumbed to the disease. He feels this experience has given him an insider’s perspective as a palliative care physician, as he can deeply appreciate being “on the other side of the table.”
To Dr. Mecusker, palliative medicine isn’t just about pain and symptom control, but about fostering a relationship to discuss hopes and wishes for the future no matter what it holds or how long it will take to get there. For Dr. Mecusker, palliative care is a return to the physician of the past, black bag in hand, who cared not just for singular patients, but for whole families. Dr. Mecusker also takes pride in his osteopathic training and is eager to bring to City of Hope this unique practice of “hands-on” care to help control pain and symptoms with the minimum necessary medication.
Hospice and Palliative Medicine
American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine
2016, D.O, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA
2010, B.S., California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA
2020-present, Assistant Clinical Professor, Division of Supportive Medicine, Department of Supportive Care Medicine, City of Hope,
Duarte, CA
2019-2020, Clinical Fellow, Hospice and Palliative Medicine, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
2016-2019, Resident Physician, Internal Medicine, College Medical Center, Long Beach, CA
American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
