Palliative Care Specialist
Dr. Andrew Latchman brings a very unique skill set to Cochise County. He is fellowship trained in Palliative Care, which is a specialty that focuses on symptom management for patients dealing with chronic and life-limiting illness. Dr. Latchman is looking forward to helping patients with a variety of conditions through a specialized approach which is customized for each individual.
Dr. Latchman has been involved in healthcare from a young age. Personally affected by illness in his family, his father suffered from a heart attack when the young Dr. Latchman was only 16 years old. He experienced first-hand the difficulties that serious illness can bring to patients and families. This prompted Dr. Latchman to start volunteering at his local hospital where he helped them cope with their illness by lending an ear or extending a hand when needed. His experience with patients and their families led him to pursue a career in medicine. After graduating from high school near Orlando, Florida he enrolled at the University of Florida where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology & Cell Science. Throughout his time in college and briefly after, Dr. Latchman took opportunities to work with patients which included work as a clinical medical assistant and emergency medical technician (EMT). He then went on to earn his Doctor of Medicine degree from St. George’s University. For his training Dr. Latchman moved to the Northeastern United States. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine in Norwalk, Connecticut. During his time in spent in residency and treating patients in the ICU, Dr. Latchman was keenly focused on helping his patients and their families not only with the treatment of their illness but also to help them thoroughly understand and help them cope with what was happening. This is when he realized that Palliative Care was his true calling. After residency he decided to pursue further specialized training. He moved to New York City for fellowship training in Hospice & Palliative Medicine. Dr. Latchman was fortunate to be selected for a prestigious fellowship at MJHS where he was able to learn from and train under one of the most renowned palliative care physicians, Dr. Russell Portenoy. Upon completing his fellowship Dr. Latchman was recruited widely to several communities. Wanting to help the communities most in need, Dr. Latchman decided to relocate to Mount Vernon, Illinois, where he was recruited to help develop a palliative care program for the surrounding rural communities. Based on his commitment to expanding and developing a strong palliative care program, Dr. Latchman was named as the Medical Director of Palliative Medicine at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital. In 2016, Dr. Latchman was invited to a palliative care conference in Phoenix, Arizona to present a clinical topic and case. Dr. Latchman instantly fell in love with the desert southwest which led him to travel back to Arizona on numerous occasions during which he explored all different corners of the state. Determined to provide high-quality and much needed care for patients close to their homes, Dr. Latchman is very excited to make Cochise County his home. Having lived in many different parts of the country and experiencing the healthcare offered in various practices, Dr. Latchman looks forward to being a part of the fabric of the communities of Cochise County. Dr. Latchman is looking forward to enjoying the temperate climate of southern Arizona which will allow him to explore and hike the beautiful terrain.
