Medical Director

Dr. Phillip Olsson

Why provide medical care at home? "That's where people want to be," says Dr. Olsson. "Patients want the most possible autonomy, making their own decisions, at home if possible and for us that means supporting the whole person spiritually, physically, mentally, socially and emotionally."

There was a brief time when Dr. Phillip Olsson wasn't certain he could continue his work in palliative care, working with end-of-life patients. After caring for his late wife, Rachel, who lost her battle with pancreatic cancer, he just wasn't sure "the desire would still be there."

Experience with other terminally ill patients and their families, being able to provide "significant relief" reaffirmed his direction. He is delighted with his new role "wearing several hats, as Executive Medical Director of OSF Home Care." That includes the medical management of OSF Hospice, OSF Home Health, OSF Home Infusion Pharmacy and OSF Home Medical Equipment.

"We want to make patients as comfortable as possible, and that usually means at home. There can be a lack of autonomy in the hospital that many people find very distressing. Being at home... or in a homelike setting... is what people want today. That is why we're especially proud to see the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home become a reality soon."

By training, Dr. Olsson is a nephrologist, a doctor who treats kidney disease medically and prescribes dialysis when necessary. He completed his nephrology fellowship at the University of Florida after completing his residency in internal medicine at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois and University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria. He earned his medical degree at The Chicago Medical School, part of Rosalind Franklin University, in Chicago.

To unwind, Dr. Olsson enjoys sitting in with musician friends and playing the jazz trumpet. Happily, he again also found love. His wife, Debby, is a social worker and an ordained deacon in The United Methodist Church. They enjoy traveling and reading and spending time with their large "blended" family. This includes Debby's son and daughter: Paul, a Bradley University student, and Alicia, a teacher in Des Moines, Iowa; Dr. Olsson's sons: Dan, cruise director on The Norwegian Jewel, Scott, a Latin and math teacher at Wyoming Catholic College, and Phillip Dale, an attorney in Indianapolis, and Dr. Olsson's step-sons from his marriage to Rachel: Darin, a foreman for PJ Hoerr in Bloomington, Illinois, and Jim, who sells medical devices in the Chicago area. And yes, there are grandkids... ten of them!

While many may find "end of life" care a sorrowful necessity, Dr. Olsson has a different view. "The Mission of the Sisters is to 'provide the greatest care and love' from the first moment of life to the very end." He says, "The last moments should be a precious part of that journey."