Janice Makela, M.D.

In her close to two decades of practice, Dr. Makela has been invaluable in those healthcare communities in which she has served, demonstrating exceptional leadership and medical expertise. She has served patients throughout the entire Chicago area and has an in-depth understanding of the unique needs of Chicago’s diverse communities.

Dr. Makela has been caring for, studying, and teaching about geriatric patients and end-of-life care since 2003. In 2008 she was one of the first doctors to be certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. In addition to hospice, Dr. Makela is board certified in Geriatric Medicine and Internal Medicine.

She has over 15 years’ experience as an Associate Medical Director at other  hospices.  She was a Clinical Instructor in Geriatric Medicine at University of Illinois at Chicago, teaching future geriatric specialist for over a decade. As Medical Director at Jessie Brown Veterans Association’s Skilled Nursing Unit, she developed an on-going passion for the care of our nation’s veterans.

In her role as Medical Director of APEX Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., Dr. Makela oversees and leads the medical direction for Hospice and Palliative services.  She is instrumental in bringing quality care to the bedside in patients’ homes and long-term care communities.  She also improves clinical care through enhanced documentation, medication management, care coordination, and strengthening of our initiatives and platforms.

Dr. Makela completed medical school, internal medicine residency,  and geriatrics fellowship at University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine.