Father Jim Vrba, pastor of St. John Vianney Parish-Bettendorf, will be a presenter during an end-of-life panel discussion April 27 in the Adler Heart Institute, Lower Level Auditorium, on the Genesis East Campus, 1236 E. Rusholme St., Davenport. The event will be held from 6-8 p.m.
“The Difficult Conversation: When all is said and done, how do we talk about the end of life with those we love?” is based on the book “Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande. Event organizers say the book has the potential to change medicine and lives. Familiarity with the book is beneficial but not required.
Other panelists are Dr. Steve Sorensen, a palliative care physician, and Chaplain Marlin Whitmer. Chris McCormick Pries of St. John Vianney Parish will serve as moderator. The audience may ask questions during the program.
The presentation is aimed at physicians, nurses, caregivers, parish nurses, clergy, chaplains, social workers and other allied healthcare professionals. The purpose is to explain how healthcare providers, clergy and ministers address the necessary conversations surrounding end-of-life issues that matter most to their patients, clients and congregational members.
Through the program, participants will discuss ways to conduct end-of-life conversations and describe different approaches that will identify key issues that are most important to a particular patient, client or congregational member. Participants will also explore ways to ensure that what is most important to the patient is not sacrificed, particularly at the end of life.
Nursing credit hours are available. Light refreshments will be served. Pre-registration is not required.
St. John Vianney Health Ministry, Genesis Health Ministry and Senior Star at Elmore Place are helping sponsor the program. For more information, contact Jennifer Hildebrand at (563) 421-5513 or email her at HildebrandJe@genesishealth.com.
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