By Jamie Hansen, Global Health Communications Manager

When the unthinkable happens and a child falls critically or terminally ill, palliative care becomes a vital tool for easing their suffering and offering them the best possible quality of life. Yet, due to a critical shortage of specialists and other resources, such care is unavailable to many of the world’s poorest children. 

Justin Nathaniel Baker, MD, is on a mission to change that. He is the Deborah E. Addicott – John A. Kriewall and Elizabeth A. Haehl Family Professor of Pediatrics, division chief and director of the Division of Quality of Life and Pediatric Palliative Care and Associate Chief Quality Officer for Patient Experience and Holistic Care at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, and a new Global Health Faculty Fellow at the Stanford Center for Innovation in Global Health. 

With a blend of compassion and expertise, Baker is advancing compassionate pediatric palliative care at Stanford while also helping to expand these essential services in low-resource settings worldwide. Alongside globally minded pediatric palliative care colleagues such as Claire Wakefield at Stanford and many others around the world, he seeks to ensure that every child suffering from a serious illness receives the compassionate, comprehensive care they deserve, no matter where they live.

Baker defines palliative care as a holistic approach that focuses on attending to suffering, regardless of the underlying illness. 

“The disease we treat in palliative care is suffering,” he explains.

This perspective is rooted in his own experiences, including a pivotal moment during his medical training, when he witnessed the profound impact of palliative care on a young patient named Jake. Jake, he remembers, wanted nothing more than to play and improve his golf game, despite his terminal illness. The team worked diligently to improve Jake’s stamina and control his pain to the point he could play golf again before he died.

Baker’s philosophy centers on the belief that every child deserves the best possible quality of life, regardless of their circumstances. He embodies this mission through a playful yet profound approach, often referring to himself as the “Chief QoLA Bear” (QoLA stands for Quality of Life for ALL) and wearing a Koala onesie or inflatable suit. This costume serves as a reminder that palliative care is not solely about end-of-life issues; it can enhance the everyday experiences of children and their families, helping them find joy even in challenging moments.

This encounter ignited Baker’s passion for a field that prioritizes quality of life and individualized care. Baker pursued a fellowship in hematology/oncology with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where he “fell in love with Saint Jude, children with cancer, and palliative care.” He remained there for 20 years before joining Stanford in 2023. 

The need for quality pediatric palliative care is staggering: more than 21 million children worldwide require access, yet only 5–10% receive it. This gap is most pronounced in low-resource settings, where about 90% of pediatric palliative care needs exist, but only 5% of global resources are available, according to Baker. For example, fewer than ten pediatric palliative care physicians serve the entire sub-Saharan Africa region, which has a population of approximately 1.2 billion.

To address these critical gaps, Baker collaborates with international organizations such as the World Health Organization, the International Children’s Palliative Care Network, and Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration. Together, they work to advance pediatric palliative care globally through knowledge sharing and resource allocation.

Baker’s global approach emphasizes partnership and collaboration. He prioritizes working with local champions passionate about improving pediatric palliative care in their communities. By equipping these individuals with essential tools and training, Baker aims to create a sustainable model of ongoing care.

In this spirit, Baker enthusiastically discussed a new Stanford Global Health Seed Grant that will assess the current state of pediatric palliative care in Rwanda and identify service gaps. He plans to collaborate with local experts and organizations to gain a comprehensive understanding of the specific needs of children facing serious illnesses.

“We aim to identify the pain points and available resources,” he explained. This initial assessment will guide targeted interventions, including training local healthcare providers and advocating for essential resources like pain management medications.

“What’s most exciting—and truly inspiring—about this grant is its bold, equity-driven vision to transform pediatric palliative care in some of the world’s most underserved communities,” he said. “It starts with a powerful recognition: that palliative care is a human right, and yet children with serious chronic illnesses in places like Rwanda are often sent home from the healthcare system at the very moment they need the most support.”

This grant not only acknowledges the heartbreaking gap in care, Baker added, but also proposes a tangible, innovative, and scalable solution.

Baker emphasized his commitment to co-developing a context-specific model rooted in local realities, cultural sensitivity, and community strengths in Rwanda. “By integrating community health workers, digital tools, and culturally relevant care practices, the project has the potential to revolutionize how care is delivered—bringing compassion, dignity, and relief to children and families when they need it most,” he said.

He noted that the project could have an impact far beyond Rwanda. “Rwanda, with its commitment to equitable health, offers fertile ground for innovation, and this model could serve as a blueprint for similar efforts across sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.”

Baker hopes his Rwanda-based research and other global initiatives will contribute to a broader movement: “One that positions palliative care as a core component of universal health coverage, centers the voices and needs of patients and families, and builds health systems that are more equitable, responsive, and humane.”