A nationally recognized leader in geriatrics and palliative care, Dr. Periyakoil serves as the associate director of palliative care services for the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. Her research focuses on the health and health care of adult patients with chronic and serious illnesses, multicultural health, geriatrics, ethnogeriatrics, and ethnopalliative care. Dr. Periyakoil can be contacted at periyakoil@stanford.edu.