Eric Widera Named Chief of the Geriatrics, Palliative and Extended Care Service Line at SFVAHCS
We are delighted to announce Eric Widera, MD as the new Chief of the Geriatrics, Palliative and Extended Care Service Line for the San Francisco VA Health Care System (SFVAHCS) effective July 12, 2026. Dr. Widera is an internationally recognized expert in both Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, known for integrating these fields to improve care for seriously ill and medically complex older adults. He is double-board certified in Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine and has a distinguished career centered on clinical excellence, education, and leadership in healthcare administration.
Dr. Widera has contributed significantly to the academic and clinical communities. He has served as Associate Editor for the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine’s PC-FACS and currently serves as the Associate Editor of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. In 2024, he was honored as a UCSF Department of Medicine Master Clinician. His national recognition includes several prestigious awards, such as the Hastings Center Cunniff-Dixon Physician Award for exceptional clinical work in Palliative Care, the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) Hospice and Palliative Medicine Leaders Under 40 Award, and the AAHPM Project on Death in America (PDIA) Palliative Medicine National Leadership Award.
Dr. Widera is also a widely sought-after national and international speaker and has authored numerous publications. He co-founded the GeriPal podcast, a leading international resource for providers interested in Geriatrics, Hospice, and Palliative Medicine. He also co-created ePrognosis, an evidence-based online tool that helps clinicians estimate patient prognosis.
Within SFVAHCS, Dr. Widera previously served as Director of the Hospice and Palliative Care Service, Associate Director of the Community Living Center, and Director of the Geriatrics Consult Service. Under his leadership, the SFVAHCS Hospice and Palliative Care Service has expanded both in size and scope, and has twice been selected for national VA awards recognizing excellence in improving access to palliative care.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Widera into his new leadership role in the Geriatrics, Palliative and Extended Care Service Line!
- Louise C. Walter, MD