Home administrators, nurses and social workers can earn continuing education credits at a day-long educational conference slated by Hospice of Central Ohio for October 3, 2018.

The program will begin with registration at 8 am and course offerings from 8:30 to 4 pm, with lunch included. Cost for the daylong conference is $75. Participants can earn up to 6 contact hours of continuing education credit.

Topics include Toolbox for High-Risk Situations which addresses the unique challenges posed for clinicians by complex family situations.  This course is designed to identify ways in which some of these situations can create barriers to care, and how clinicians can be prepared to address them. Presenters include Susan Boesch, RN, OCN, CHPN, RN Care Manager at Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton. Susan has over 23 years of experience working in hospice and palliative care settings. Susan is a frequent and experienced presenter at local, state, and national hospice conferences. Susan will be joined by Bonnie Orlins MSW, LISW-S, ACHP-SW, a Bereavement Counseling Professional at Pathways of Hope grief support services of Ohio’s Hospice of Butler & Warren Counties. She provides ongoing counseling and support to individuals and families in the surrounding community and helps facilitate regular support groups. Bonnie is also an experienced presenter at local, state, and national hospice conferences and nephrology conferences.

Mark Pierce, MDiv, BCC, and Kelly Stansel, LSW, CHP-SW, of Hospice of Central Ohio, will offer Cultural Differences at the End of Life. More than ever before, healthcare workers are providing care to a very diverse community.  People from all cultural backgrounds need quality, compassionate care.  This program will enable participants to become more culturally competent. Mark has been a full-time chaplain serving Hospice of Central Ohio for fourteen years. He has extensive experience and is passionate about caring for individuals who have dementia and is attentive to their unique spiritual needs. He serves people in a wide variety of faith backgrounds. Kelly Has a combined twelve+ years of experience with Hospice of Central Ohio and is currently a home team social worker.  Kelly received her Hospice and Palliative Care certification in 2016 and offers frequent presentations on hospice and end of life care for local organizations.

Universal Precautions for Drug Misuse and Diversion in Hospice will provide much-needed information on drug regulations and effective medication management, now more important than ever due to the current drug epidemic in the country.  Participants will learn about the current epidemic of drug misuse and diversion and how it compels hospice programs to provide effective management of scheduled medications; examine the state and federal regulations with which medication protocols and policies must be compliant; explore the components of an effective toolkit for medication management in hospice and techniques for proper medication disposal and discover how a policy of universal precautions for medication management improves safety, compliance, and engagement for patients, families and staff. Presenters are Lisa Maurer, DO, Hospice of Central Ohio, and Cleanne Cass DO, FAAHPM, FAAFP, Director of Community Care and Education at Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton. Dr. Lisa Maurer is certified by the American Board of Osteopathic Family Physicians with Subspecialty Board Certification in Hospice and Palliative Medicine.  She serves as Assistant Clinical Professor of Family Medicine for the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.  She has been practicing in central Ohio since 1995 and joined Hospice of Central Ohio as an Associate Medical Director in 2012. Dr. Cass is board certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine and is a fellow of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She is also board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians and holds a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Geriatrics. Dr. Cass is a clinical professor of Palliative Medicine at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and Clinical Associate Instructor in the Department of Family Medicine at Boonshoft College of Medicine, Wright State University.  She serves as Chair of the American Osteopathic Association’s Council of Palliative Care Issues and is a member of the Board of the Ohio Pain Initiative and previously served on the National Quality forum Advisory Committee for Hospice and Palliative Care. She is also an appointed member of the Governor’s Cabinet Opioid Action team which is developing guidelines for safe opioid prescribing in the state of Ohio and is c active with the task force working to implement MOLST (Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) in the state of Ohio. Dr. Cass was the 2013 recipient of the Ohio Osteopathic Association’s Trustee’s Award for Distinguished Service and recipient of the 2014 Distinguished Service Award from the Ohio Chapter, American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians.

Go In Peace, The Caregivers Role in Healing the Soul Wounds of Veterans will focus on care for Veterans.  One-fourth of Americans who die this year will be Veterans.  Healthcare professionals are now caring for 3 different War Eras of Veterans, all who are nearing end of life.  This presentation focuses on recognizing these individuals and understanding some of the specific care needs that may present challenges to quality care.  Presenter Robert “Bob” Allen is a decorated Army officer who flew helicopters in Vietnam. The son of a career Army veteran, Bob grew up in the military and traveled the world with his family during his father’s assignments. His experience has given him a lifelong affinity and passion for veterans and for his work with helping them overcome the emotional and silent scars they sometimes carry. Bob holds a BS in Marketing and an MA in Marketing Management. He began his career as a corporate pilot before working in college and university admissions for over thirty years. Bob is co-founder of “Awakenings,” an organization promoting care and healing for Veterans through peer mentoring. He is also an active public speaker for Veteran’s issues.

Registration is available here.