Dr. Jeffrey Zesiger Named Medical Director at Hospice of the Fisher Home

AMHERST — Maria Rivera, executive director of Hospice of the Fisher Home, announced the appointment of Dr. Jeffrey Zesiger as medical director of the Amherst-based hospice.

“Jeff is a well-known and respected palliative-care doctor in Western Massachusetts, and I am thrilled to have him on the Fisher Home team,” Rivera said. “He brings a wealth of experience and expertise in hospice care. He is very familiar with the Fisher Home, having had patients here.”

In addition to his role as medical director at the Fisher Home, Zesiger is part of the palliative-care team at Baystate Health. Previously, he was the hospice medical director at the inpatient Hospice Care Center for Providence Healthcare in Everett, Wash.

“I am happy about reconnecting with the Five College area after being away in Washington for two years,” he said.

For many years, Zesiger directed the Palliative Care program at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, where he was also medical director for the Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice. He was on the team that developed the VNA Palliative Care program, which received the 2015 Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts award for best team. He also maintained a private internal-medicine practice in Northampton from 1998 to 2007.

Zesiger received his medical degree from the University of Vermont Medical School and did his residency at Baystate Medical Center. He is a well-known speaker on the difference between palliative care and hospice, as well as advance care planning.

He said he is looking forward to being a part of expanding the Fisher Home’s ability to take care of people in the community. “A hospice team is made up of special people that give their best for people in great need. I am proud to be part of the Fisher team.”