GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., (Aug. 18, 2016) – The Hospice of Michigan Institute is partnering with Aquinas College, the Catholic Information Center and Dominican Sisters to offer panel discussions on medical ethics at the end-of-life. An informal reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. prior to the two-part panel discussion from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 7 and Thursday, Sept. 8 at the Cathedral Square Center, located at 360 Division Avenue South in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Both events are free, and offer information and support to families who are facing end-of-life decisions for their loved ones.
The Sept. 7 discussion titled, “Medical Ethics at End-of-Life: Issues Involving Adults” will feature panelists Michael Paletta, M.D., Hospice of Michigan medical director; Bryan Pilkington, Ph.D., assistant professor of philosophy at Aquinas College; Ruth Sanborn, M.A., clinical ethicist at Spectrum Health; and MarKay Riippa, R.N., nurse manager at Mercy Health. Moderator Father John Geaney, C.S.P. will lead the discussion as panelists discuss end-of-life challenges that adults face.
Father Geaney will also lead the panel discussion on Sept. 8, which will focus on pediatric patients and the unique challenges families face. “Medical Ethics at End-of-Life: Issues Involving Children” will feature David Dickens, M.D., medical director at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and Hospice of Michigan pediatric medical director; Ken Pituch, M.D., medical director of the pediatric palliative care program at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and pediatric medical director for Hospice of Michigan; Sheila Schindler, L.M.S.W. for Hospice of Michigan; and Bryan Pilkington, Ph.D. of Aquinas College.
“The final months and days of life often include strong emotions and hard decisions. The Hospice of Michigan Institute serves as a forum to exchange ideas and begin meaningful conversations with the community about end-of-life, no matter what faith you believe in,” said Dr. Paletta.
Seating is limited for this free event. To register, please contact the Catholic Information Center at (616) 459-7267 or register@catholicinformationcenter.org.
For more information about the Hospice of Michigan Institute, please visit www.hom.org.
About Hospice of Michigan A nationally recognized leader in end-of-life care, Hospice of Michigan is the original – and largest – hospice in the state. The nonprofit cares for nearly 1,800 patients each day, raising more than $5 million each year to cover the cost of care for the uninsured and underinsured. HOM offers a broad range of services to enhance the quality of life at the end of life, including community-based palliative care and pediatric care programs. HOM provides grief support and counseling, caregiver education and support, and education programs for physicians and health care professionals through its research, training and education arm, the Hospice of Michigan Institute. In January 2016, HOM joined forces with Arbor Hospice and Palliative Care, strengthening the mission of nonprofit hospice in Michigan to ensure patients and their caregivers receive the highest quality of care. For more information, call 888.247.5701 or visit www.hom.org.
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