Lower Cape Fear Hospice (LCFH) will be hosting a free symposium, “When the News is Bad: A community discussion about supporting others through medical crisis.”
It will be Friday, Oct. 13, from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the New Hanover County Northeast Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Road in Wilmington. The event is open to the public.
Keynote speaker will be Michael Kahn, LPC. Kahn holds a M. Ed. in Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a J.D. from the Dickinson School of Law. He has been a counselor for 23 years and his areas of focus include grief, men’s issues and career satisfaction.
Kahn presents workshops on ethics, grief, diversity and other topics for health professionals throughout the U.S. and abroad, including the United States military. He is among the forefront in his field on the use of film in therapy and workshops.
Other discussion leaders will be Father Bob Kus of St. Mary’s Catholic Church; Andrea L. Jones, PhD, MSW, assistant professor at UNCW’s School of Social Work; and Dr. Kelly Erola, MD, FAAHMP, FAAFP, chief medical officer of Lower Cape Fear Hospice.
“Often people have a difficult time in knowing what to say to someone facing a serious or life-limiting illness,” Jason Clamme, LCFH education and outreach specialist, said. “Even those accustomed giving counsel such as healthcare professionals and clergy members can find it hard to start a conversation when a serious medical diagnosis is involved. Family members and friends may tend to avoid the subject as to not upset a loved one. This symposium will help those who are eager to show their concern and support for people facing serious illness strategies to start and feel more comfortable in having these types of conversations.”
Caregivers, medical professionals, social workers, counselors, clergy, students, and anyone walking alongside people with serious illness are welcome to attend and will gain valuable information. CUE/CME credits are not included; participants can request a certificate of attendance. Breakfast snacks will be available.
Those interested in attending should RSVP to Clamme at Jason.Clamme@lcfh.org or 910-796-7943 by Oct. 6.
Lower Cape Fear Hospice is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the highest level of care and comfort to patients with life-limiting illness; support and counseling to families; and education to the community. For more information, visit lcfh.org.
Submitted by Sally Shepherd
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