The public is cordially invited to attend a free community discussion to learn more about Vermont’s medical-aid-in-dying law, Act 39 which enables adult, state residents who are facing a terminal illness to obtain a prescription allowing them to choose their time of death.
​
On Monday, September 30, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, Putney Community Cares, Inc., Patient Choices Vermont, and Brattleboro Area Hospice will co-sponsor Your Options, Your Autonomy, at End of Life. The discussion will take place at the Putney Meadows Common Room, 17 Carol Brown Way in Putney and will be led by Diana Barnard, M.D., Betsy Walkerman, Esq., and Susan Gillotti. Attendees are invited to engage in a life-affirming and empowering discussion - ask questions, find answers, and share stories.
 
Dr. Diana Barnard, M.D., is a Palliative Care physician at UVM Medical Center and on the Board of Patient Choices Vermont (PCV); Betsy Walkerman is President of PCV; Susan Gillotti is an Advisory Board member with PCV whose husband used Medical Aid in Dying (Act 39). Information on medical aid in dying and Vermont’s Act 39 are available at www.PatientChoices.org.
 
RSVP to reserve your seat by emailing info@PatientChoices.org.
 
Putney Community Cares is dedicated to building and maintaining a vital, healthy Putney community by strengthening family and community bonds. They foster wellbeing and independence of all members of their community, from newborns to seniors; 802.387.5593;  www.putneycommunitycares.org 
 
Brattleboro Area Hospice (BAH) is an independent, non-profit organization that provides non-medical support to dying and grieving community members and volunteer-staffed assistance with Advance Care Planning.  BAH is 100% locally funded, provides services free of charge, and is located at 191 Canal Street in Brattleboro. 802.257.0775; www.brattleborohospice.org.

We are pleased to help publicize this upcoming event hosted by The Northeast Kingdom Palliative Care Initiative.

PCV board member Dr. Diana Barnard and Peggy Stevens, who is featured in PCV videos, will be among the speakers.

Date: Friday, Sept. 13 from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM

Location: Eastside Restaurant , 47 Landing Street on the shore of Lake Memphremagog in Newport, Vermont

Featuring:

• Diana L. Barnard, MD
• Sara Wyllie Fitts, CPNP, LCMHC NCC
• Peggy Stevens, M.Ed.
• Rev. Michel Richards, MA, CPE II

This seminar will explore the physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering that may accompany the end-of-life journey and choices that patients might pursue to end this suffering. Come prepared to learn about how to listen and how to respond to requests to hasten death – What is the dying person really asking? What are the ethical and legal options to stopping treatment or nutrition? This seminar is appropriate for healthcare professionals of all disciplines and of all levels, as well as educators, social workers, clergy members, interested community persons, and anyone involved personally or professionally with the care of the seriously ill.

Registration required by Monday, September 9, 2019
(click above for a brochure with mail-in registration form PDF)
or send a check for $15 (includes lunch) made payable to
Northeast Kingdom Palliative Care Initiative, Inc. and mail to:

Lyne Limoges, MSN, RN
Orleans Essex VNA & Hospice
46 Lakemont Road
Newport, VT 05855

Please include the following information with your registration:

Name:
Profession:
Agency /Organization:
Address:
Telephone:​