The Center for Research on End-of-Life Care aims to improve the quality of life and care provided to patients and families confronting life-threatening illness and death. The center improves techniques and tools used to care for terminally ill patients and offers resources for patients and family members that explain terms such as do-not-resuscitate orders, palliative care and hospice. The center is made up of clinical researchers from specialties including oncology, geriatrics, palliative and critical care medicine. It trains the next generation of researchers, educators and clinicians in end-of-life medical communication, decision-making and care, while applying research findings into healthcare policy and practice.