Karl Bezak, MD, HMDC

  • Assistant Professor of Medicine
  • Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics
Academic Interests

Dr. Bezak's clinical interests focus on identifying and alleviating physical, emotional, social, and existential human suffering of patients with serious illness and their loved ones through practicing compassionate, evidence-based, high-quality hospice and palliative medicine. His research focuses on the emerging landscape of hospice and palliative medicine and technological healthcare innovations. He fosters awareness and engagement in palliative care as an essential paradigm for providing whole-person, high-value, equitable, patient and family-centered care that enhances long-term quality of life and supports sustainability of health systems.

    Education & Training

  • MD, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2010
  • Board Certified in Internal Medicine, NYP-Weill Cornell, 2013
  • Board Certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Mount Sinai, 2019
  • Hospice Medical Director Certification, HMDCB, 2023
  • Internal Medicine Residency, New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center
  • Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship, Mount Sinai Hospital, NYC
Recent Publications

Bezak KB. 5 ways to improve hospitalist-palliative care collaboration. Center for the Advancement of Palliative Care. 2019.

Bezak KB. The use of psychostimulants in patients with serious illness. Case Studies in Palliative and Supportive Care Series. University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine. 2020.

Bezak KB. Saying goodbye to your patient: Honoring patient-clinician relationships in the hospital. Case Studies in Palliative and Supportive Care Series. University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine. 2022; 22.

Andersen SK, Vincent G, Butler RA, Brown E, Maloney D, Khalid S, Oanesa R, Yun J, Pidro C, Davis VN, Resick J, Richardson AR, Rak K, Barnes J, Bezak KB, et al. ProPACC: Protocol for a trial of integrated specialty palliative care for critically ill older adults. JPSM. 2022; 63(3):e601-310.

    Honors and Awards
  • Resident Award for Quality Improvement, NYP - Weill Cornell Medical Center, 2012
  • Mount Sinai Health Hackathon Winner, Icahn School of Medicine, 2018
  • Honorable Mention, Department of Medicine Research Day, University of Pittsburgh, 2021
  • New Physician Excellence in Clinical Care Award, UPMC, 2021