Mark Kantrow, MD, FAAHPM

Dr. Mark Kantrow is an internal medicine and palliative care physician based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with more than two decades dedicated to championing the growing field of palliative care in Louisiana and Mississippi. As System Medical Director for Palliative Care at the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, he has led the development of sustainable, interdisciplinary programs serving both rural and urban communities—especially low-income families, people of color, and those whose care is deeply shaped by religious faith.

A longtime board member of Louisiana’s state hospice and palliative medicine advocacy and education organization, Dr. Kantrow is recognized for his leadership in advancing access, policy, and workforce training to support patients with serious illness. He played a pivotal role in establishing an LSU ACGME-accredited HPM fellowship and champions clinician education emphasizing cultural humility, communication, and whole-person care.

Dr. Kantrow is also committed to educational innovation, developing concise, impactful videos on serious illness topics, equipping clinicians to better support patient and caregiver understanding with clear, consistent language. His work centers on listening to all voices in care—patients, caregivers, and clinicians—to ensure palliative care in the region remains responsive, collaborative, and rooted in dignity.