Palliative Care Summer Institute – Heal without Cure: A Call to Action July 9-11, 2014 sponsored by Western Washington University

Western Washington University’s RN–to-BSN program, Peace Health, and Whatcom health care organizations are partnering to sponsor a palliative care summer institute July 9-11, 2014.

“Heal without Cure: A Call to Action” is designed for healthcare providers, social workers, caregivers, university students and interested community members. Participants will discuss and learn about creating a community of excellence in end-of-life and serious illness care.

The goal of the summer conference is to develop a community action plan for creating a palliative community. The first two days of the conference will feature talks from national, regional and local leaders in palliative care: Dr. Jen Bellot, Larry Thompson, Laura Matthews and more. Each day will consist of various breakout sessions for more in depth investigation of challenges and successes in palliative communities, and identifying the strengths of Whatcom County to become a palliative community. The cost for the three day conference is $100. There are single day registration options and housing available as well.

The conference will culminate in a larger session, which is open to the community, on Friday, July 11. This event will be hosted at Settlemyer Hall, Bellingham Technical College. The cost for the Friday event is $10.

 “Everyone will eventually live with a chronic health condition or limited function and face death, for themselves or a loved one. Opening up honest conversations is an important step toward providing a space where people with serious illnesses don’t have to be cured to heal,” said Western Washington University RN-to-BSN director, Casey Shillam.

The event is sponsored by The Palliative Care Initiative which is a partnership with Western Washington University, Whatcom Alliance for Health Advancement (WAHA), Community Organized Group for Health (COGH), Peace Health Palliative Care, and Peace Health Hospice. The Palliative Care Initiative has been formed to transform palliative care in Whatcom community and support the human responses to living and dying.

The event is underwritten by the RiverStyx Foundation to encourage participation in community conversations that bring understanding and awareness to the role of palliative care. Registration for this event is available online at www.wwu.edu/bsn.  Early registration is advised as space is limited.

 For more information, please visit www.wwu.edu/bsn