VNA and Williamstown Commons to host two-part discussion
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - The VNA & Hospice of Northern Berkshire and Williamstown Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center will sponsor a two-part discussion on end-of-life planning in October and November. The sessions will include experts on end-of-life care including healthcare workers and clergy.The first discussion will be held Thursday, Oct. 29, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the VNA & Hospice Community Room, 535 Curran Memorial Highway in North Adams. Hors d’oeuvres will be served at 5:30 p.m.
Leading off the event will be keynote speaker Amber B. Jones, M.Ed., a consultant to the Center to Advance Palliative Care, hospices, and hospitals. She has extensive experience with end-of-life issues and is an advocate for patients, their loved ones, and the providers who care for them.
Ms. Jones will speak and lead local panelists and experts in end-of-life care, including Robert Jandl, MD, an internist and president of Williamstown Medical Associates; Beth Mougin, a social worker at the VNA & Hospice; Billie Allard, RN, vice president of patient care services at North Adams Regional Hospital; Janet McClelland, hospice coordinator at the VNA; Joyce Brewer, administrator of Williamstown Commons; and the Rev. David Anderson.
The second discussion will be held Thursday, Nov. 12, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Williamstown Commons, 25 Adams Road in Williamstown, with hors d’oeuvres served at 5 p.m. Williamstown Commons administrator Joyce Brewer will moderate as local panelists and experts in end-of-life planning discuss legal requirements, healthcare proxies, how to think about end-of-life wishes, and how to engage reluctant family members in the discussion. Panelists will include attorney James Sisto; Ronald B. “Skip” Durning, Jr., MD, chief hospitalist at North Adams Regional Hospital; licensed social worker Jane Wilson from Williamstown Commons; and retired physician Erwin Stuebner, MD.
Both programs are free and open to the public. Pre-registration is requested; call 413-458-2111. Continuing education credits are pending.
