Cancer, End-of-Life Care Focus of Teleconference for Health and Social Service Professionals

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Feb 3, 2010 2:38 PM

SALT LAKE CITY - Caring Connections: A Hope and Comfort in Grief Program of the University of Utah College of Nursing will host the 17^th Annual Hospice Foundation of America Living With Grief Teleconference Wednesday, March 24, 2010 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. The local event will be held at the Spencer F. and Cleone P. Eccles Health Science Education Building located at 26 South 2000 East on the University of Utah Campus. The teleconference is produced by the Hospice Foundation of America, a not-for-profit organization, which acts as an advocate for the hospice concept of care through ongoing programs of professional education, public information and research on issues relating to illness, loss, grief and bereavement.

Focusing on “Cancer and End-of-Life Care,” the teleconference will address care options related to cancer diagnoses as well as loss and grief reactions for patients, families and professional caregivers. Psychosocial aspects of cancer, pain management, and ethical issues related to the disease will also be examined. Following the webcast, local experts Shelley White, LCSW, manager, patient family support for Huntsman Cancer Hospital and Susan Roberts, MDiv, a chaplain with University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics, will speak about helping people navigate the cancer roller coaster of hope and despair.

“Decisions made and events that take place during cancer illness and the dying process can alter the course of bereavement for everyone involved,” says Katherine Supiano, MS, LCSW, director of Caring Connections. “It is our hope that bringing together our community’s health and social service professionals for education and discussion related to cancer and end-of-life care will translate into more effective resources and care for patients and their families.”

The cost to attend the teleconference is $35, which includes lunch and conference materials. For more information or to register, contact Shawna Rees at (801) 585-9522.

About Caring Connections

Caring Connections: A Hope and Comfort in Grief Program is sponsored by the University of Utah College of Nursing, Through a variety of community and hospital programs Caring Connections strives to meet the grief and bereavement needs of people experiencing loss. All people are welcome to participate as their circumstances suggest. To learn more visit www.nursing.utah.edu/practice/caringconnections

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