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In my working days, I was a member of my institution’s Bioethics committee. I’m now a retired nurse and continue to serve as a community member. Constantly impressed by this committee’s work, I wanted you to meet two of these brilliant minds, so I recently sat down with Sandra Shadley, a licensed marriage and family therapist and our committee chair, and Dr. Ryan Howard, our hospice and palliative medicine physician.
Sandra holds a unique certification: the HEC-C, or certified healthcare ethics consultant and she explained that Bioethics is guided by four principles: respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Despite the solidity of these principles, bioethical issues are still quite nuanced.
That’s all fine and good, but what exactly does a Bioethics team do? They develop and implement policies, educate the hospital community, review research, and, provide consultations with those patients facing end-of-life decisions.
The committee consists of various disciplines: social workers, physicians, nurses, critical care leaders, risk management, chaplains, and community members. It's a diverse group with diverse perspectives.
Dr. Howard is gifted at having difficult conversations. He approaches patients with curiosity and humility, providing truly patient-centered and individualized end-of-life care.
I left this interview feeling joyful. It was inspiring to witness these two individuals, whom I deeply respect, engage in a dialogue about their shared passion for Bioethics.
In the five-minute snippet: Excavators, chainsaws, and bonfires, oh my! For my guests' bios, visit my website (link below).
The American Society for Bioethics and Humanities
Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment or POLST pdf

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