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St. Luke's Children's Palliative and Supportive Care

The palliative and supportive care team offers an added layer of support for you and your child when you're dealing with a serious or life-limiting illness. We strive to build relationships that facilitate communication and coordination of care to help you and your whole family navigate medical care while managing the demands of daily life. We work to:

  • Enhance the quality of life for you, your child, and your family
  • Provide relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness
  • Guide and assist you with decisions regarding your child's care goals
  • Add extra layers of support through our interdisciplinary team
  • Treat patients at any age and at any stage of illness and treatment
  • Improve coordination of care and communication with your providers
Palliative care can begin at any age and any stage of illness. It can be provided along with curative treatment and is based on need, not prognosis. It is best to start palliative care as early as possible to benefit both your child and your family. Talk with your child’s provider about a referral or call us today to learn more about our services.

Providers

  • Behavioral Health

    Biography

    Whitney Price, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker and clinical supervisor of St. Luke’s Children’s Palliative and Supportive Care program. She works to help children with serious, chronic or limiting-illnesses and their families navigate their medical journey. Whitney works with medically complex children and families to explore their goals of care, values, enriched communication, and mental health support.

    Whitney is dedicated to providing a safe space and trusting therapeutic relationship to explore and process thoughts and feelings. She chose pediatric palliative care for its holistic team approach which values child and family-centered care.

    Whitney earned her bachelor's degree in psychology with an emphasis in sports and exercise science from Boise State University. She earned her master's degree in social work from the University of Nebraska. She believes that each patient is unique and she tailors her relationship toward their individual needs and concerns. 

    Favorite Therapy Toy: puppets.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
    • St. Luke's Health Partner
      St. Luke's Health Partner

      These providers work together to achieve patient-centered care, using proven best practices to offer better care to you and your family.

    • Specialties, Conditions & Treatments

  • Pediatrics

    Biography

    Sean Timpane, MD specializes in palliative medicine. He has experience working with patients and families from all stages of life, but especially loves working with pediatric patients. He is passionate about providing family-centered care and improving communication and collaboration among patients, families and providers in an increasingly complex healthcare system. He has special interest in facilitating specialty and sub-specialty care to rural areas; and in how rapidly changing communication technology can be shaped to improve patient/family experience and provider effectiveness.

    Dr. Timpane received his bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering from Duke University. He first worked in the medical device industry with pacemakers and defibrillators before returning to medical school at the University of Florida. He completed his residency in pediatrics at the University of Washington followed by a fellowship in palliative medicine at the Harvard Interprofessional Palliative Care Fellowship. After completing his training, Dr. Timpane worked as a palliative care physician in the Alaska Tribal Health System before moving to Boise. 

    Dr. Timpane and his wife have three children.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
    • St. Luke's Health Partner
      St. Luke's Health Partner

      These providers work together to achieve patient-centered care, using proven best practices to offer better care to you and your family.

    • Specialties, Conditions & Treatments

  • Is palliative and supportive care right for my child?
    If you answer yes to one or more of the questions below, then palliative and supportive care can be beneficial for your child and family.

    • Does my child have a serious illness (chronic, life-limiting or life-threatening)?
    • Are physical or emotional symptoms from the illness impacting my child’s and/or family’s quality of life?
    • Is my child/family having difficulty coping with the stress of the serious illness?
    • Do we need help with knowing what to expect or making medical decisions about treatment choices?
    • Does my child have frequent emergency department visits and/or hospital admissions?
    • Is my child receiving care from multiple specialty providers?
  • Will my child's other providers stop seeing them?
    No. The palliative and supportive care team provides a cohesive support system and works in partnership with your child’s medical team, including primary care providers, specialists, care coordinators and therapists. The team focuses on close communication, collaboration, and co-management across specialties to promote continuity of care.

Related Resources and Programs

  • Pediatric Music Therapy

    Music therapy may lower anxiety and help take your child’s mind off treatment and pain. It may also help your child express fear and anger, and give him or her the confidence to cope with their experience.

  • Parent Mentor Program

    Caring for a child with complex medical needs can be complicated and overwhelming. Support from someone familiar with these challenges can make all the difference. Meet Megan!

  • Trusted Resources

    We recommend checking out the Courageous Parents Network and Get Palliative Care, two organizations with additional resources for children and families with complex medical needs.

Access Your Mobile Medical Record Anytime, Anywhere

Access Your Mobile Medical Record Anytime, Anywhere

Sign up for a MyChart account today!

With MyChart, you’re able to view test results, contact your provider, request medication refills, schedule appointments and more. We encourage you to sign up for easy access to the tools and information you need to proactively manage your health. You can also set up online proxy access requests for medical records of children, spouses, or dependents.


There's also an easy-to-use MyChart app available for your mobile devices!

Protect Your Health

Support the Kids and Families at St. Luke’s Children’s

Support the Kids and Families at St. Luke’s Children’s

You Can Make a Difference

You can make a real difference to kids and families facing medical challenges. We hope you’ll help us provide the exceptional healthcare these kids deserve. We encourage you to get involved by making a financial gift, sponsoring or attending events, or volunteering your time.