Our Story
PACED’s journey is one of partnership, growth, and dedication to advancing palliative care across the countries where we work. Since our establishment, we have focused on building strong networks, expanding learning opportunities, and empowering professionals who provide compassionate, high-quality support to patients and families. Through education, knowledge exchange, and international cooperation, PACED continues to strengthen palliative care systems and enhance the quality of life for those in need.
Dr. Robert Twycross
Professor of palliative medicine, one of the pioneers of the hospice movement in the world, one of the ideologists of creation and the co-founder of PACED. Dr. Twycross actively determined the strategy and shaped an expert community around the foundation.
Robert Twycross began as a Clinical Research Fellow at the St. Christopher Hospice in Great Britain together with the founder of the hospice movement in the world Dame Cicely Saunders. Working in St. Christopher, Dr. Twycross completed studies on the effectiveness of morphine, diamorphine, and methadone in managing cancer pain. These studies helped standardise and simplify the treatment of pain.
Robert Twycross is known by palliative care professionals all over the world. He is the author of many textbooks. One of the most famous—Fundamentals of Palliative Care—has been republished 6 times and has become a reference book for students and specialists from different countries. Dr. Twycross was also involved in the development of many professional organisations including PACED.
In 2024 Dr. Twycross passed away. But the changes that happened in the world thanks to him continue to live on.
Robert Twycross is known by palliative care professionals all over the world. He is the author of many textbooks. One of the most famous—Fundamentals of Palliative Care—has been republished 6 times and has become a reference book for students and specialists from different countries. Dr. Twycross was also involved in the development of many professional organisations including PACED.
In 2024 Dr. Twycross passed away. But the changes that happened in the world thanks to him continue to live on.
Nyuta Federmesser
Public figure and philanthropist who was instrumental in the creation of legislation on palliative care in Russia. Founder of the VERA charitable foundation and director of the Moscow Palliative Care Center (2016-2024).
As an activist and philanthropist, Nyuta initiated the adoption of legislation on palliative care in Russia and facilitated the creation of a reliable system of home- and hospital-based palliative care in Moscow. She leads on lobbying to make analgesic medications available to terminally ill patients and for legislative changes to protect the rights of incurably ill patients.
In 2006, Nyuta founded the VERA Hospice Charity Fund, the first Russian charity supporting hospices and their patients. Currently it helps over 70 hospices, as well as providing support to families with incurably ill children.
Nyuta is passionate about changing perceptions around death and dying and is involved in outreach efforts to inform society on the goals and mission of palliative and hospice care.
In 2006, Nyuta founded the VERA Hospice Charity Fund, the first Russian charity supporting hospices and their patients. Currently it helps over 70 hospices, as well as providing support to families with incurably ill children.
Nyuta is passionate about changing perceptions around death and dying and is involved in outreach efforts to inform society on the goals and mission of palliative and hospice care.
Our background and history
2017: The story begins
PACED is founded in the UK to support palliative care
professionals in acquiring knowledge and exchanging experience. Its foundation was initiated by Robert Twycross - an iconic figure in palliative care worldwide, and Nyuta Federmesser who significantly advanced the field of palliative care in Russia.
professionals in acquiring knowledge and exchanging experience. Its foundation was initiated by Robert Twycross - an iconic figure in palliative care worldwide, and Nyuta Federmesser who significantly advanced the field of palliative care in Russia.
2017-2019: Laying the foundations
PACED established its foundation, defined its mission, and assessed palliative care needs across the region. Early initiatives included a special session on palliative care education at the EAPC Congress in Berlin, a two-week Advanced Pain and Symptom Management programme in Oxford for professionals from Russia and Moldova, and the launch of collaborative projects in Georgia and Kyrgyzstan — the latter supported by UNODC to improve access to pain medicines.
2020-2021: Towards
a systemic approach
a systemic approach
PACED expanded partnerships and training opportunities to build capacity across the region. Key initiatives included the online meeting “Responding to COVID-19” with participants from eight countries, advanced webinar sponsorships through the Oxford Centre for Education and Research in Palliative Care, and Train the Trainer and QELCA programmes for professionals from Georgia. PACED also co-sponsored the regional meeting “Development of Palliative Care in CIS Countries” and awarded bursaries for delegates from six countries to attend
the online EAPC Congress.
the online EAPC Congress.
2022-2023: New horizons
PACED advanced its regional coordination and educational mission, launching the PACED Network for palliative care leaders and initiating its grant programme. Over 100 professionals from eight CIS and Baltic countries took part in the course “Perspectives from Leaders on Palliative Care Treatment and Management.” Regular educational webinars were introduced across member countries, and PACED joined the EU initiative
CODE-YAA to promote inclusive and culturally appropriate palliative care education.
CODE-YAA to promote inclusive and culturally appropriate palliative care education.
2023: Expanding Knowledge and Connections
PACED hosted 10 webinars on key topics in palliative care and released 10 monthly digests of international materials. The organisation began collaboration with the eHospice international palliative care news portal and joined the Best Care for the Dying Person network. PACED also participated in the conference “Unusual Topics in Palliative Care” in Latvia and conducted site visits in Armenia and Kazakhstan, strengthening partnerships with leading palliative care institutions.
Read the annual report 
2024 — Growing Impact and Exchange
PACED launched its Professional Mobility Grant for palliative care specialists, supporting professional development and international learning. The first recipient, Dr Yulia Streletskaya from Kazakhstan, attended the 6th International Congress on Paediatric Palliative Care in Italy. The year also featured the PACED International Summer School in Armenia with 36 participants from five countries, participation in the 13th EAPC World Research Congress, and an online roundtable “Paediatric Palliative Care: 100,000 Children in PACED Countries.” PACED concluded the year with an annual webinar and report presentation, bringing together leaders from six member countries to review progress and outline future priorities in palliative care education.