TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - A conference centering on communication and end of life issues will be conducted Nov. 9 at the Landsbaum Center for Health Education, 1433 N. 6 1/2 Street in Terre Haute.
A variety of sessions aimed at physicians, nurses, social workers, clergy, clinical psychologists and marriage and family therapists will be conducted between 1-5 p.m. Discussing medical options with terminally ill patients, communication issues of critical care patients, dealing with premature infant death, communicating with patients on the cutting edge of medicine, the role of clergy in serving as an interface between the family and healthcare providers, dealing with the death of a colleague in a healthcare setting and discussing death with children are among the topics addressed at the conference. Continuing Education Credit is available for some health professionals.
Among the speakers or session leaders participating:
- Margaret Gaffney, MD, clinical associate professor in the Indiana University department of medicine.
- Betsy Frank, professor of Nursing at Indiana State University and Para Rabbinic fellow.
- Jody Elslager, medical social services representative for the Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice of the Wabash Valley, and director of Camp Linden Tree.
- Tom Johnson, associate professor of Psychology at Indiana State University and associate director of ISU?s Center for the Study of Health, Religion and Spirituality.
- Sue Hoopengarner, Bereavement Services Coordinator at Union Hospital.
- Joe Biggs, Behavioral Science Coordinator of Union Hospital's Family Practice Residency Program.
- Robert Clouse, professor emeritus of the ISU history department who received a heart transplant 20 years ago.
- Jon Stockram, DO, an internal medicine physician board-certified in hospice and palliative medicine.
- Ronald Leach, MD, medical director at Union Hospital.
- Neva McFarland, Patient Representative Coordinator at Union Hospital and a licensed minister.
The conference will conclude with an evening presentation, beginning at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Landsbaum Center. "End of Life Decision-Making: Ideal vs. Real Life" will be presented by Harry Keffer, MD and Jan Keffer.
Harry Keffer has held a variety of positions at Union Hospital including chief of Staff, chief of Anesthesia, chief of Surgery and president of the Medical-Dental Staff. He has served as an associate clinical professor at the IU School of Medicine - Terre Haute, lecturing on medical ethics, genetics and airway management. He has given more than 100 presentations on medical ethics.
Jan Keffer is an adult nurse practitioner and healthcare ethics consultant. Formerly a hospital nurse and a nurse practitioner, she has been an associate professor with Indiana University since 1991, where she teaches ethics/legal courses for the School of Nursing. Her research and publications focus on end-of-life decision making and healthcare ethics.
The Keffer's presentation is free and open to the public, however reservations are suggested due to limited seating. To make your reservation to attend, contact ISU's Community and Professional Programs at (812) 237-4011 or (800) 234-1639.
Cost to attend the afternoon program is $10; students are free. For a registration form or for further information or assistance please call (812) 237-4011 or email cmarietta@indstate.edu .
The conference is supported by ISU Center for Study of Health, Religion and Spirituality, ISU Center for Public Service and Community Engagement, ISU Continuing Nursing Education and the IU School of Medicine - Terre Haute and is sponsored by Union Hospital Continuing Medical Education.
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Contact: Cindi Marietta, Landsbaum Center for Health Education, (812) 237-7609 or cmarietta@indstate.edu
Writer: Paula Meyer, ISU Communications & Marketing, (812) 237-3783 or pmeyer4@isugw.indstate.edu