The 30th Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer Retreat for Social Justice
Harnessing Spirituality & Religion in End of Life Care
Held at The Interchurch Center, on Monday, September 22, 2014.
ABOUT: A patient’s culture and religion can have significant impact in their reaction to the dying process and the decisions the patient and family must make, and religious leaders often play an important role in supporting patients and families through this process. The retreat brought together religious leaders with thought leaders and clinicians specializing in palliative and end of life care to discuss:
- Basic information and terms a religious leader should know about end of life care
- Diverse faith-based and spiritual approaches on illness and advanced care
- Patient-centered care models that incorporate spiritual care and cultural sensitivity
- Resources for faith leaders regarding the medical and social services available to their religious communities
Videos from the Retreat
1. Pastor Beverly Caesar-Sherrod, of Bethel Gospel Tabernacle, offers a faith reflection and prayer at the beginning of the Marshall Meyer Retreat on End-of-Life Care.
2. The dying person wants to die at home, but the healthcare system doesn’t usually accommodate that.” Jon Broyles, Deputy Executive Director of the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care offers a welcome and overview at the beginning of the Marshall Meyer Retreat on End-of-Life Care.
3. “We can treat people in the hospital but to do more than that, we have to look to the community.” Pamela Brier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Maimonides Medical Center, speaks about Working with Communities at the Marshall Meyer Retreat on End-of-Life Care.
4. “The economics of aging is a social justice issue that seems to paralyze politicians.” Rabbi Richard Address, of the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care, speaks on Healing in Advanced Care, at the Marshall Meyer Retreat on End-of-Life Care.
5. PLAYLIST – Roundtable: Religious Communities & Experiences with End of Life Care
Videos in playlist:
a. “Caregivers must honor where the person is (spiritually) in their end of life journey.” Khadijah Abdul Matin (moderator) opens the roundtable. Remarks by Dr. Khalid Rehman.
b. “Before a human being goes to an institution or hospital – that’s when we start end of life care.” Baba Antonio Mondesire.
c. “To help a dying person reinforce their faith is a great to help to them.” Ven. Khenpo Pema Wangdak.
d. “Caregivers don’t need to know the patient’s faith but must be sympathetic & willing to listen.” Dr. Uma Mysorekar.
e. Khadijah Abdul Matin recaps, and the panel takes questions from the audience.
6. Basics About Advanced Care
There are times when “doing” isn’t the answer, & “being” is the only option – to be present with the patient.” Dr. Brad Stuart
“The time to think about an advance directive is long before it’s needed.” Randye Retkin
Jon Broyles (moderator), Dr. Brad Stuart of the Coalition to Transform Care, and Randye Retkin, of New York Legal Assistance Group, talk about linkages between Healing and Curing, care options, end of life decision making and legal issues in advanced planning.
7. Soledad Kaplan-O’Brien of the Dharma Drum Retreat Center offers a faith leader reflection at the Marshall Meyer Retreat on End-of-Life Care.
8. “In praying around my dying father in his last hour, we saw his pain diminish, he was in peace.” Jatinder Singh of Sikh Aid offers a faith leader reflection at the Marshall Meyer Retreat on End-of-Life Care.
9. PLAYLIST – Working Together to Support Patients and Families
Videos in Playlist:
a. Bob Wolf, Moderator, introduces the panel.
b. “We need you in faith communities to teach healthcare clinicians & chaplains about your people.” Reverend George Handzo, Health Care Chaplaincy
c. “The simple act of talking about end of life has become politically incorrect.” Sheila Namm, Maimonides Medical Center
d. Rev. Dr. Tyrone Pitts, Coalition to Transform Care
e. Q&A
10. Faith Leaders describe their current efforts, challenges and opportunities in the area of end of life care.
11. PLAYLIST: Leaders offer Perspectives.
Videos in Playlist
a. NYC Faith Perspective
Rev. Chloe Breyer, Executive Director of The Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY) talks about the center, and the Marshall Meyer Retreats for Social Justice.
b. Community Perspective
Sheila Namm, of Maimonides Medical Center, offers a Community Perspective on Advanced Care.
c. Physician Perspective
Dr. Uma Mysorekar, physician and director of the Hindu Temple Society of North America, talks about the role spiritual leaders play in supporting people with advanced illness.
d. Faith Leader Perspective
Baba Antonio Mondesire, Ifa Priest, offers a faith leader perspective on advanced care.
e. Chaplain Perspective
Rev. George Handzo talks about the role chaplains play in the continuum of care for someone with advanced illness.
f. National Perspective
Rev. Tyrone Pitts offers national perspective, on C-TAC and next steps that can be taken after this conference.
