Dr. Makela is a board-certified physician specializing in Hospice and Palliative Care, Geriatrics, and Internal Medicine. With 20 years of clinical experience and over a decade in medical education, she brings deep expertise to her work. Dr. Makela graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) medical school and completed both her residency in Internal Medicine and her Geriatric fellowship at UIC.

She then served as an instructor for the geriatric fellowship program at UIC and as a physician at the Jesse Brown VA for over a decade. Even after leaving UIC to work full-time in hospice, she was frequently invited back as a guest lecturer. She has 20 years of experience in Hospice and Palliative Care, including critical work during the COVID pandemic.

Dr. Makela was among the first physicians to sit for and pass the Hospice and Palliative Care boards, exemplifying her commitment to being at the forefront of new medical fields, just as she is now with Cannabis Medicine.

Her journey into Cannabis Medicine began through her role as a Hospice and Palliative Care physician, where she saw firsthand the potential benefits for patients. Now, she is committed to educating patients, clinicians, and industry stakeholders on the medical use of cannabis. She also advocates for regulations that ensure safe access to cannabis products for those who need them. Dr. Makela’s approach is grounded in evidence, not hype. She recognizes that legal restrictions have limited research and thoughtfully navigates both what we know and what remains uncertain in Cannabis Medicine.

Additionally, Dr. Makela is available as a legal medical expert. While at the VA, she served as the medical director of the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) unit and chaired the hospital falls team. She performed several root cause analyses and peer reviews, developing a deep understanding of how medical processes and systems can contribute to adverse outcomes. Dr. Makela has worked in various settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, clinics, the VA, and academic medicine. Her extensive experience qualifies her to provide expert medical insights in legal contexts.

She is available to speak on Cannabis Medicine as well as topics in Hospice, Palliative Care, and Geriatric Medicine. Known for her personable speaking style, Dr. Makela excels at presenting complex medical topics in an accessible and insightful manner.