Evening Seminar for Families: Advance Care Planning for Persons with Developmental Disabilities                                  

UHS Palliative Medicine and the Care Compass Network will offer a free educational evening for family members on the process of facilitating end-of-life care for individuals with developmental disabilities. Information will be provided on palliative care management and the legal processes surrounding end-of-life care.

This evening lecture will take place on Thursday, September 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Ballroom at Traditions at the Glen, 4101 Watson Blvd, Johnson City, NY. Light refreshments will be provided, and there will be time for audience questions. Speakers for the event include:

• Philip J. Dzwonczyk, MD, UHS Palliative Medicine Medical Director
• Katie Orem, MPH, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Geriatrics and Palliative     Care Program Manager and  Electronic Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (eMOLST) Administrator
• Laura Bevacqua, Mental Hygiene Legal Services Principal Attorney
• Laura Monthie, Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special       Needs Surrogate Decision-Making Committee Program Director

Attendees can expect to gain an understanding of the decision-making process for life-sustaining treatments such as CPR, mechanical ventilation or feeding tubes in patients with a developmental disability. Said Dr. Dzwonczyk, “This is a complex and time-consuming process, and understanding the decisions that should be made early – ideally in the outpatient care setting – is essential.”

A full-day seminar on the same topic will be presented for professionals on September 27 at the Silo Restaurant in Greene, NY.

Preregistration is required. To register or for more information,  call UHS Palliative Medicine at (607) 763-5098. Please register by September 11.

UHS is a locally owned, not-for-profit hospital and healthcare system serving Greater Binghamton and surrounding counties. Founded in 1981, UHS provides a full range of medical, surgical, rehabilitative and long-term care services throughout New York’s Southern Tier. Follow the latest UHS news and more at nyuhs.org and on Facebook—facebook.com/uhshospitals and Twitter—twitter.