Eric D. Mecusker, D.O.

Eric Mecusker, D.O., is passionate about relating to patients on a human level and encouraging future and present physicians to do the same. He has been awarded recognition for his clinical teaching, both as an Internal Medicine resident and as a core faculty member for the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship at City of Hope. His compassionate and collaborative approach has also been recognized by the Department of Supportive Care Medicine through the 2023 HOPE Colleague Award, given to physicians who have exemplified City of Hope's Values and Mission..

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 now serves as the Associate Program Director for this Fellowship. 

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. Her cancer journey ended with her passing; two days short of the one-year anniversary of her diagnosis. 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 offers Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine to eligible patients. This unique practice of "hands-on" care can help control pain and symptoms alongside typical medication management.