DR. JOHN MULDER, MD, FAAHPM, HMDC – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
John Mulder, M.D., was the Founder and Executive Director of Trillium Institute, serving in this role from its beginning in 2015 until his death in May 2025. A true pioneer and visionary in the field of palliative care, Dr. Mulder devoted his life to improving the quality of life for others. His work was rooted in compassion, service, and a deep commitment to helping patients and families find comfort and meaning through some of life’s most difficult moments.
Dr. Mulder’s journey in hospice and palliative medicine began in 1984, and in 2000 he became certified as a Hospice and Palliative Medicine Specialist. Throughout his distinguished career, he remained passionate about education and mentorship—teaching at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, where he also served as Director of the Division of Palliative Medicine.
As a respected leader in his community and beyond, Dr. Mulder directed Mercy Health Grand Rapids Hospice and the Trinity Health Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program, guiding countless clinicians who now carry forward his legacy of compassionate care. His influence reached a national stage as well; in 2018, he provided congressional testimony during the opioid crisis and was later honored with the 2019 AAHPM PDIA Palliative Medicine Community Leadership Award by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
Dr. Mulder’s life and work continue to inspire all who strive to bring comfort, dignity, and hope to those they serve.
His obituary can be found here:
John Mulder Obituary (1952 – 2025) – Spring Lake, MI – Grand Rapids Press
Renee Parham – PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Renee graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Gerontology through the University of Indianapolis. For more than 10 years, Renee has been serving Grand Rapid’s older adults in residential long-term care. During that time, she developed a deep appreciation for community education, palliative care and providing guidance to students. Renee is thrilled to be a part of Trillium Institute and assist in implementing it’s mission.
ASSOCIATED FACULTY
PATRICK FITZGIBBON, DO, MPA, MS, CMD
Dr. Fitzgibbon completed BAs in Philosophy-Religion and Biology at Spring Arbor University. He holds an MA in Public Administration from Ohio University and an MA in International Relations from Troy University’s Landstuhl, Germany campus. He is an Air Force veteran. Dr Fitzgibbon matriculated through Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSU-COM). He served his internship and residency in Family Medicine at Mercy Hospital in Muskegon, Michigan.
Dr. Fitzgibbon’s professional and personal experiences with end-of-life care and symptom management in chronic disease led him from Family Medicine to the fields of Geriatrics and Hospice & Palliative Medicine where he has practiced for fifteen years. Dr. Fitzgibbon is a partner in the Geriatrics Group at Trinity Health West Michigan and serves as the Medical Director for Faith Hospice and Trillium Palliative Services in Grand Rapids. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine with the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (MSU-CHM). He is a Certified Medical Director (CMD) and Certified Hospice Medical Director (CHMD). In his free time, Dr Fitzgibbon enjoys playing and coaching ice hockey and enjoys all things outdoors with his family in his native Upper Peninsula.
JOEL PHILLIPS, DO, FAAHPM, FAAN
Dr. Joel Phillips currently serves as the Program Director for the Hospice and Palliative Medicine fellowship at Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital. He also serves as the Medical Director for the Neuropalliative Care Clinic for Trinity Health Hauenstein Neuroscience Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He served 5 years as the Regional Medical Director for Palliative Care for Trinity Health in West Michigan. His focus is on caring for patients and families with serious life-altering neurologic conditions, as well as educating medical trainees in the field of hospice and palliative medicine as well as neurology.
His clinical emphasis is on ambulatory neuropalliative medicine, specializing in care for patients with chronic progressive neurologic illness. He graduated from Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his neurology residency training at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, and hospice and palliative medicine fellowship at Grand Rapids Medical Education Partners. He is board certified in neurology and hospice and palliative medicine. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. He is an active member in the International Neuropalliative Care Society.
CAROL ROBINSON, DNP, MS, BSN, RN, CHPN
Dr. Robinson has had a varied nursing career, spanning critical and palliative care in both clinical and administrative leadership positions. Her passion for the care of seriously ill patients and their families led to extensive experience with patient/family communication relative to quality of life and treatment preferences. Her scholarly work has focused on communication skills for health professionals, including advance care planning conversations. Her friendly and open approach has helped many individuals create an advance directive reflective of one’s own personal values, beliefs, and preferences for end-of-life care. Dr. Robinson has served as an adjunct nursing faculty member at GVSU and in the postgraduate interprofessional hospice and palliative care certificate program. She serves on numerous local non-profit Boards and committees in an effort to promote patient advocacy.