June 1, 2018

Free conference to offer information, resources on palliative, hospice care

By Natalie Hoefer

All are invited to participate in a free Palliative Care and Hospice Care Conference in the Evans Center at Marian University in Indianapolis from 8:30 a.m.‑noon on June 26.

The conference will feature a talk and breakout discussions on case studies, both offered by hospice and palliative medicine physicians Dr. Colleen Brown from St. Vincent Health and Dr. David Mandelbaum from Franciscan Health. Both hospitals are in Indianapolis.

“This conference is for all those in the community who are interested in learning more about palliative care and hospice care,” says Brie Anne Eichhorn, archdiocesan coordinator of the Office of Human Life and Dignity. “This [conference] is a kick off of an ongoing initiative [of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, St. Francis Health and St. Vincent Health] that will provide education and resources for those who accompany individuals and their families through chronic illness, suffering and the end stages of life.”

One goal of the conference is to explain the difference between palliative care and hospice care.

“There are many misconceptions about what palliative care and hospice care are, how they are alike, and more importantly how they are different,” says Scott Seibert, archdiocesan director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life. “We hope to dispel those misconceptions.”

Another goal of the conference is “for those individuals who are personally suffering or have loved ones who are suffering from chronic illness or facing end of life issues, to give them confidence that they are not alone,” says Eichhorn. “We want to equip them with knowledge that there is a community of resources and support available during these difficult times.”

Seibert adds that, “In our parish communities, we often want to support and journey with those struggling through this difficult time [of chronic illness and end of life issues], but are not exactly sure how to do so. We hope that this conference, and the ongoing follow-up we desire through this initiative, will better equip clergy, pastoral staff and lay leaders to accompany the individuals and families carrying this burden.”

Check-in for the conference will take place at 8:30 a.m., with light refreshments provided. Archbishop Charles C. Thompson will offer an opening prayer at 9 a.m.

Drs. Brown and Mandelbaum will then give an overview of hospice and palliative care, followed by breakout case study discussions, which they will lead.

The final session of the day is a hospice and palliative care panel discussion. The panel will include Drs. Brown and Mandelbaum, a hospice nurse from Franciscan Health, St. Vincent Health ethicist Elliott Bedford and Father Joseph Rautenberg, archdiocesan consultant on ethics and bioethics.

The conference will conclude at noon.

Pre-registration is preferred for this free event, although walk-ins will be accepted. To pre-register, go to bit.ly/2IQXbjl (case-sensitive).

The Evans Center of Marian University is located on the corner of 30th Street and Cold Spring Road in Indianapolis. The center can be distinguished by two large stained-glass walls on its southwest corner, and by the words “Alan and Sue Leighton School of Nursing” on either side of the building.

For questions about the conference, contact Brie Anne Eichhorn at 317‑236-1543, 800-382-9836, ext. 1543, or beichhorn@archindy.org. †

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