Serving People at the Moment of Death

Professionals, such as interpreters and healthcare staff, who have the awesome and fearful privilege of serving people at the moment of death, may experience powerful emotions that have lasting residual effects. Our ability to continue effectively serving people at the moment of death depends on the care with which we attend to our own mental and physical health. This panel discussion will cover the moment of death from multiple vantage points and provide tools and practices to ensure that we remain healthy, competent, engaged professionals.

Learning Objectives:

1. Examine your own perspectives and insights on serving people at the moment of death.
2. Identify techniques to maintain focus and engagement during the encounter.
3. Analyze your emotional health during and after the encounter.

Presenters:

Eduardo Bruera, MD, Chair, Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation, & Integrative Medicine, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center

Trained in Medical Oncology, Dr. Eduardo Bruera holds the F. T. McGraw Chair in the Treatment of Cancer and is Chair of the Department of Palliative Care, Rehabilitation & Integrative Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Bruera has been interested in the development of palliative care programs internationally, particularly in the developing world where he helped in the establishment of numerous palliative care programs in the Latin American region, India, and different areas of Europe. A prolific author, editor, and lecturer, Dr. Bruera’s work has been honored with many awards, including the American Association of Hospice and Palliative Medicine’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2010), and the establishment of the “Eduardo Bruera Award” by the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians as a career award for palliative care specialists.

Alejandro Chaoul, PhD, Director, Mind Body Spirit Institute

Alejandro Chaoul, PhD, is the founder and director of The Jung Center’s Mind Body Spirit Institute. He is a senior teacher at The 3 Doors and has been a student of Tibetan Buddhism since 1989, studying with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, and Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche. He is an assistant professor and director of education at MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Integrative Medicine Program, where he teaches Tibetan meditation to cancer patients, their families, and caregivers, and researches the effects of Tibetan mind-body practices with cancer patients. Alejandro was recently named a Fellow of the Mind and Life Institute.

Tim VanDuivendyk, DMin, MDiv, BS, ACPE, LMFT, LPC, Retired Vice President & Chaplain for Chaplaincy & Spiritual Care

Tim P. VanDuivendyk, Board Certified Chaplain credentialed as a Professional Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapist, authored The Unwanted Gift of Grief. A frequent lecturer on the subject, Dr. VanDuivendyk knows firsthand what struggles are evoked when professionals serve people at the moment of death and has developed strategies and tools to help mitigate their residual effects. Now retired, his previous roles include Vice President and Chaplain for Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care at Memorial Hermann Health System and adjunct faculty at Houston Baptist University School of Nursing and University of Texas Health Science Center School of Nursing.

Moderator:

Moderated by Ludmila Golovine, CEO and president of MasterWord Services.

This event was co-hosted by MasterWord Services, The Jung Center, and The Jung Center’s Mind, Body, Spirit Institute.