Myra Christopher Announces Transition

In an emotional announcement April 26 before more than 650 supporters, Myra J. Christopher, the first and only president and CEO of the Center for Practical Bioethics, disclosed that she will step down from that position at the end of 2011.

That announcement was tempered with another one – that Ms. Christopher will continue her work at the Center as the holder of the Kathleen M. Foley Chair for Pain and Palliative Care at the Center for Practical Bioethics.

For more click here.

Seats Available for Symposium and Annual Dinner

Annual Bioethics Symposium and Dinner tomorrow April 26

Symposium – Pain is a Four Letter Word

• 8 am – 3:30 pm
• CMEs available. For agenda and registration click here.

Annual Dinner – Keynote US Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, MD

• Reception 5:30 pm
• Dinner 7 pm
• Overview click here.
• Individual tickets - $175
• Can’t attend? Click here to make your contribution to the Center for Practical Bioethics

National Healthcare Decisions Day Encourages End of Life Planning Conversation

April 16 was National Healthcare Decisions Day: a reminder to talk with your loved ones about what care you want or don't want if you're seriously ill and unable to speak for yourself, as well as who you want to speak for you.

FOX 4's Meryl Lin McKean spoke with Helen Emmott of the Center for Practical Bioethics about the conversation and two documents that the center recommends all adults have.

Link to video here.

Aging in Place Part III

The Kansas City Star this week published a three part series addressing the challenges of “aging in place” in Kansas City. The series was written by Diane Stafford, a business writer and columnist, who has been a writer or editor on The Star’s business and metropolitan desks since 1974. Kevin Collision of the Star also contributed to this series.

Part 3: Remodeling, technology and in-home care can help people age in their homes. The alternative is moving to a senior residential center.

· Remodeling and new gizmos help aging people stay at home

· More businesses offer in-home care for the elderly

· Demand grows for retirement communities

Aging in Place Part II

The Kansas City Star this week published a three part series addressing the challenges of “aging in place” in Kansas City. The series was written by Diane Stafford, a business writer and columnist, who has been a writer or editor on The Star’s business and metropolitan desks since 1974. Kevin Collision of the Star also contributed to this series.

Part 2: When seniors can’t drive themselves, the area’s existing transportation systems can’t meet all their needs.

• Getting around KC is difficult for those who no longer drive
• A fortunate few older people are independent, mobile

Aging in Place Part I

The Kansas City Star this week published a three part series addressing the challenges of “aging in place” in Kansas City. The series was written by Diane Stafford, a business writer and columnist, who has been a writer or editor on The Star’s business and metropolitan desks since 1974. Kevin Collision of the Star also contributed to this series.

Part 1: A burgeoning elderly population prefers to grow old in their own homes, but the area’s spread-out geography and single-family dwellings make that difficult.

• What’s being done to help elderly Kansas Citians age in place?
• Living out your years at home can be challenging
• Care-giving boomers find they need care themselves

Ethical HIV Testing

Teresa Celada, PhD
April 15, 2011

Ethical concerns over new recommendations for HIV testing appear to focus on implementation, rather than the recommendations themselves. That's according to authors of an article in the April 2011 issue of the American Journal of Bioethics.

Lorell LaBoube talks about the issue with a co-author of the article, Teresa Celada of Wheaton College.

Link to podcast here.

Have you had "The Talk?"

Health Talk
KMBZ 980 AM/98.1 FM Radio

Have you had "The Talk?"

That was the question during the April 9 edition of Health Talk on KMBZ 980 AM/98.1 FM in Kansas City.

Providing some answers about National Healthcare Decisions Day were John Carney and Suzanne Morse of Crossroads Hospice -Kansas, along with Samantha Shepherd of the Shepherd Elder Law Group.

Link to program here.

For a copy of Caring Conversations, a booklet that helps families make practical preparations for serious illness or the end of life, click here.

Pain is Hard: The Complexity of Pain Treatment

Rollin "Mac" Gallagher, MD

Pain is Hard: The Complexity of Pain Treatment. That's the subject for a presentation by Rollin "Mac" Gallagher, MD during a pain symposium in Kansas City April 26, 2011. He talks about it in this edition of the Bioethics Channel.

Link to podcast here.

5th Annual Bioethics Symposium 2011
Pain is a Four-Letter Word

April 26, 2011
8:00 am - 3:30pm

Kansas City Marriott Downtown Hotel
Count Basie Ballroom
1201 Wyandotte
Kansas City, MO

CMEs available. For complete agenda and registration click here.