Hospice: More than just a place to die | A Practical discussion on ways of providing hospice care in the community

Hospice: More than just a place to die

A Practical discussion on ways of providing hospice care in the community

A Call to Action

Speakers
Bob Parke, Bioethicist
James Beingessner, Chancellor, St. Jerome’s University
Judy Nairn, Executive Director, Hospice of Waterloo Region

Date, Time
October 17, 2018; 7 – 8:30 pm

Location
Room “Alumni 400” in the Muzzo Family Alumni Hall
121 St Joseph Street (at Queen’s Park Circle)

Biographies

Bob Parke is a clinical bioethicist with acute care and community experience and a commitment to integrating the philosophy and practice of palliative care with the broadest range of illnesses with a special focus on palliative care for people at the end stages of chronic diseases including end-stage heart failure, end-stage renal disease and dementia. Part of Bob’s desire to provide hospice care is the wish to have a place where practitioners–from doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains and personal support workers–can come to learn and enhance their knowledge and skills. Bob’s hospice philosophy is guided by his Catholic faith with a spirit of ecumenical cooperation to achieve positive goals. He is also guided by the philosophy of Dame Cicely Saunders, the founder of the modern hospice movement who said: “You matter to the last moment of your life, and we will do all we can, not only to help you die peacefully, but live until you die.”

James Beingessner is Chancellor of St Jerome’s University, Waterloo, and a member of several boards in Kitchener-Waterloo and Toronto, including that of the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute. He is a graduate of the University of St Michael’s College and the University of Toronto’s School of Business. Throughout his business career, Jim has been extensively committed to fundraising projects and community activities. He has been Past Chair, Family and Children’s Services of Waterloo Region; Past Chair, St Mary’s General Hospital as well as St Mary’s Hospital Foundation; Past President, Kitchener Chamber of Commerce; Vice-Chair, Wilfred Laurier University Board of Governors; Board of the Grand Philharmonic Choir and K-W Art Gallery. He is An Honorary Life Director of Canada’s Technology Triangle; a Paul Harris Fellow; an Honorary Life Member of St Mary’s Hospital Foundation; and a recipient of Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee Medal.

Judy Nairn, the Executive Director of Hospice of Waterloo Region, brings more than twenty years of experience in the business and non-profit sectors to her leadership role at Hospice.  For 11 years, Judy held the position of Director of Business at Mosaic Counselling and Family Services where she contributed her strong financial and business background to the growth and development of a major community agency. She served for 16 years as a trustee on the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, including two terms as Chair of the Board. She recently completed a second term as a member of the Board of Governors of St. Jerome’s University at the University of Waterloo, serving as Vice Chair of the Board. Now in her capacity at Hospice of Waterloo Region, Judy is bringing all of her knowledge and expertise to a growing and vitally important community service area.

Free
All are welcome.