Delaware Hospice continues to lean on three great pillars of strength—its dedicated staff, its committed volunteers, and its generous contributors. Our care team members are to be commended for the commitment and compassion shown every day in bringing relief and comfort to our families. The special partnership between our staff and volunteers has allowed us to expand and to meet the challenges of a rapidly growing organization.
We also appreciate the many talents and the gifts of personal time of committee members who make our fundraising events a success and the volunteers who assist in our offices. All of you are an integral part of our organization. Delaware Hospice’s fundraising efforts have blossomed in 2006. We are pleased to be able to recognize those who support our organization through the launching of our “President’s Circle.” This special designation will provide us the opportunity to give special acknowledgement to the donors of the more substantial gifts we receive.
We are so grateful to everyone in our community who has empowered us to continue offering our programs and meeting the needs of our families through your encouraging words, personal contributions, or dedicated service.
Dr. Himelstein became the Delaware Hospice Medical Director in 2001. He provides leadership and support to the care team members, consults with the patient’s physician, and oversees the patient’s plan of care.
Fellowship
Hematology- Oncology, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY
Internship and Residency
Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY
Education
M.D. - Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO
Honors: Distinguished Student Scholarship
A.B. - Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Honors: Detur Prize (academic achievement); John Harvard Scholarship (Honorary); Magna cum laude in Chemistry
Certification
National Board of Medical Examiners
American Board of Internal Medicine
National Board of Internal Medicine - Hematology
National Board of Medical Examiners - Oncology
National Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Licensed
Delaware and Pennsylvania
Current Research
Clinical Investigator: Cancer Trials Support Group (CTSU); Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB); Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG); Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG); National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP).
Current Committee Appointments
Symptom Intervention Subcommittee, Cancer and Leukemia Group B; Pain and Palliative Care Committee, Medical Center of Delaware; Hospice Care/ Hospice Services Committee, Delaware Hospice, Inc.; Delaware Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee.
Current Publications
Guarino, M, Schneider, C, Grubbs, S, Biggs, D, Himelstien, A, Tilak, S, Hogaboom, K. Dose Escalation Study of Weekly Topotecan, Cisplatin and Gemcitabine in Inoperable or Recurrent NSCLC. Proc. ASCO, 18:541a, 2000 (abstract).
Guarino, M, Schneider, C, Grubbs, S, Biggs, D, Himelstien, A, Tilak, S, Hogaboom, K. Dose Escalation Study of Weekly Topotecan, Cisplatin and Gemcitabine in Inoperable or Recurrent NSCLC. Proc. ASCO, 19:271b, 2001 (abstract).
Guarino, M, Schneider, C, Grubbs, S, Biggs, D, Himelstien, A, Tilak, S, Hogaboom, K. Dose Escalation Study of Weekly Topotecan, Cisplatin and Gemcitabine Front-Line Therapy in Patients with Inoperable Non Small Cell Lung Cancer. The Oncologist, 7:509, 2002.
Martin, ES, Rossano, C, Pentimalli, F, Yoder, C. Fischel, R, Himelstien, AL, Martin, SE. Godwin, AL, Negrini, M, Croce, CM. The BCSC-1 locus at chromosome 11q23-q24 is a candidate tumor suppressor gene. PNAS, 100:11517- 11522, 2003.
Guarino, MJ, Masters, GA, Schneider, CJ, Biggs, DD, Grubbs, SS, Himelstien, AL, Martin, SE, Micheals, LM, Guarino, AJ, Rejtos, L. Barriers Exist to Patient Participation in Clinical Trials. Journal of Clinical Oncology: 2005 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings, 23:531s, 2005 (abstract).
Rosenberg, JE, Halabi, S, Sanford, BL, Himelstein, AL, Atkins, JN, Hohl, R, Seagren, SL, Bajorin, DF, Small, EJ. CALGB 90207: Phase II Trial of Bortezomib in Patients with Previously Treated Advanced Urothelial Tract Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC). Journal of Clinical Oncology: 2006 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings, 24:237s, 2006 (abstract).
Himelstein, AL. Earlier Hospice Referrals Help Patients, Families, and Physicians. Delaware Medical Journal October, 2006, Vol 78, No10.
Peer Review
Abstract Reviewer, American Society of Hematology 43rd Annual Meeting, 2001.
Coordinating Abstract Reviewer, American Society of Hematology 44th Annual Meeting, 2002.
Moderator, Health Services and Outcomes Research Simultaneous Session, American Society of Hematology 44th Annual Meeting, 2002.
Reviewer, Delaware Medical Journal, 2003.
Recent Presentations
“Chemotherapy Reimbursement: New Indications for Existing Policies.” Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology/ American Society of Hematology Second National Meeting of Hematology/ Oncology Carrier Advisory Committee Representatives, Washington, D.C. June 2000.
“Lost Opportunities with Late Hospice Referrals.” Presented at Christiana Care Pain Management and Palliative Care Grand Rounds, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, DE, February, 2005.
“Medicare and Hospice.” Presented at Bayhealth Medical Center Interesting Case Conference, Dover DE, February, 2006.
Delaware Hospice is accredited by JCAHO. Read Statement
