Community Conversation Opens Dialogue

Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care CEO/President Lola Rathbone enjoys a moment with Virginia Morris

“Changing the Face of Hope”, was the theme of a community conversation on September 17th in Oneonta presented by Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care. The event featured a panel of local experts and nationally renowned author Virginia Morris, author of “Talking About Death Won’t Kill You” and the award winning book “How to Care for Aging Parents,” featured on Oprah, CNN, Good Morning America and The Today Show.

To an overwhelming turnout, Ms. Morris offered her personal experience and insights from years of research on end-of-life care in a compassionate yet candid and thought provoking manner. “Our goal was to offer our community an opportunity to get real information and ask real questions that will inspire families and friends to have “these” conversations that can help improve their lives in a positive and lasting way,” said Landa Palmer, Vice President for Patient Access of Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care.

Lola Rathbone, CEO/President of Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care added, “It’s all about people making their own decisions. It is so much easier for everybody when wishes/decisions have been discussed ahead of time and it’s actually easier to have these conversations before the situation occurs.”

The audience asked an array of personal and philosophical questions to the panel that consisted of Ann Eldred, MD - Nephrologist / Medical Director of Dialysis, Bassett Healthcare; Jennifer Rule, MD - Family Medicine, A. O. Fox Hospital, Susquehanna Family Practice; Charles Howarth, MD - Assistant Chief, Hospitalist Division, Bassett Healthcare; Mary Bergen, MS Counseling – Hospice Social Worker, Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care; Rev. Teressa Sivers, Pastor First United Methodist Church; Carol Kirkey - Family Member.

To view video excerpts of Virginia Morris’ talk and the audience/panel interactive dialogue, go to www.cahpc.org.