Panelists
"Embracing Difference as a Bridge for Connection"
International Roundtable: Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation
“Make your choices based on love, not fear”, Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
The Elisabeth Kübler-Ross perspective on loss, grief and end of life support focusing on what unites us: that loss, death and grief unify us and remind us of our sameness; the fact that we are all equal as people who go through a loss, who grieve, and who are going to die, with the intention to bring us back to a collective experience, through and beyond our differences, connecting through our human impulse for compassion and unconditional love.

Ken Ross
Founder and President
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation
About
Ken Ross is the son of psychiatrist, humanitarian and hospice pioneer, Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. Throughout his youth, he traveled with his mother to many of her speaking engagements, frequently meeting with those seeking her wisdom. Ken was also the caregiver for his mother the last nine years of her life, which ended in 2004. Following her death, Ken founded the Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation and subsequently, has traveled the world sharing his mother’s thoughts on compassionate care of the dying and the grieving. He also speaks on Elisabeth’s incredible life journey and how each of us has the power to live a life based on love versus fear. His message is poignant, humorous, and filled with inspiration.
Website
www.ekrfoundation.org
Session
Saturday, November 14, 2020
10:30 am – 12:00 pm (PST)
“Embracing Difference as a Bridge for Connection”
International Roundtable: Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation

Wilka Roig
MA, MFA, President Fundación
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross México Centro
About
Wilka Roig, MTP, MFA, is a transpersonal psychologist specializing in women’s psychology, trauma, loss and grief, end-of-life support, embodied creativity, and dreams. She is a death activist, death doula, ordained interfaith minister, certified dream worker, archetypal and cross-cultural psychology practitioner, integrated grief therapist, psychosynthesis practitioner, biomagnetism and biodecoding therapist, Compassionate Inquiry apprentice, and Tai Chi and QiGong instructor. A member of the faculty of the transpersonal psychology global master’s program at the Institute for Transpersonal Psychology at Sofia University, Wilka is also a transpersonal educator who teaches courses in academic writing, intuitive research, creativity and innovation, dream work, compassionate accompaniment, and death doula courses. Wilka is president of the Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation México Centro.
Website
Session
Saturday, November 14, 2020
10:30 am – 12:00 pm (PST)
“Embracing Difference as a Bridge for Connection”
International Roundtable: Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation

Rodrigo Luz
EKR Foundation
Director of Education (USA) President (Brazil)
About
Rodrigo Luz is a Thanatologist and a Palliative & Grief Expert from Brazil. He is a Certified Bereavement Care Provider by Center for Loss and Trauma/Miss Foundation, from Arizona/USA. He’s the author of the book Contemporary Experiences on Death and Dying: The Legacy of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross to Our Days, published in Portuguese in 2019.
Rodrigo also offers workshops on death, dying, palliative care, and offers community education on issues related to the end of life and grief. He is a community leader who has worked with several companies on grief and end-of-life issues, offering support, comfort and emotional and spiritual assistance. As an educator, Rodrigo has offered educational conferences and lectures in several Brazilian states, inspiring hundreds of people to the needs of critically ill patients and their families.
Rodrigo and his team coordinate the training on Thanatology and Palliative Care of the Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation in Brazil along with several social projects of the foundation in Rio de Janeiro and throughout Brazil. He and his team coordinate seminars on death and dying, interviewing patients facing death, using the same model created by Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in the 1960s.
Rodrigo offers education and support through various support programs in Brazil, offering help to bereaved people from diverse underserved communities, such as the LGBT + population, men in grief, homeless people, black people, among other groups. He is recognized for his advocacy for human rights and social justice in the field of palliative care in Brazil. In addition, he offers support to several palliative care programs in Brazil and throughout Latin America.
He’s part of the Compassionate Communities project and coordinates several palliative and compassionate care actions with unprivileged populations, in the Rocinha favela, within the city of Rio de Janeiro. He’s the CEO of the Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation Brazil and the Director of Education of the Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation USA/Global.
Website
www.ekrbrasil.com
Session
Saturday, November 14, 2020
10:30 am – 12:00 pm (PST)
“Embracing Difference as a Bridge for Connection”
International Roundtable: Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation

Cynthia Frahne
EKR Argentina Uruguay
About
Master Degree in Psychology, Buenos Aires Univ, Arg.
Master in Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology, Favaloro University, Arg.
Member of Fundación Paliar, www.fundacionpaliar.org.ar
Member of the board of professionals of the Transpersonal Center of Buenos Aires, www.centrotranspersonal.com.ar
Member of the board for Palliative Care Certification, of the College of Psychologists of Buenos Aires.
Coordination of seminars on Palliative Care, Geriatrics, Grief and Burnout Prevention.
Teacher of postgraduate courses about Palliative Care at universities, hospitals and other institutions.
Palliative Care Education at the Argentine Medical Society.
Contemplative End-of-Life Care Certificate Program, Naropa Univ, USA.
Compassion Cultivation Training, based on the Stanford Univ. Program.
Psycho-oncology studies.
Graduate studies in Psychogeriatrics and Neurorehabilitation.
Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology courses.
Advanced Integrative Therapy, certified by The Seemorg Matrix Institute, USA
Experience working in different palliative care teams and nursing homes.
Website
www.ekrdelplata.org
Session
Saturday, November 14, 2020
10:30 am – 12:00 pm (PST)
“Embracing Difference as a Bridge for Connection”
International Roundtable: Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation

Dr. Laura Aresca
M.D., Board Member, EFR Argentina Uruguay
About
Laura Aresca, M.D. graduated from the University of Buenos Aires. She did her postgraduate studies in Clinical Psychology at the UCA (Catholic University of Argentina) and postgraduate studies in Psycho-oncology in the AMA (Argentine Medical Association). She has received training in Brain Integration Technique, Brainspotting and EMDR Therapist, levels 1 and 2. In 2012, she attended the Course dictated by the RIGPA together with Naropa University (USA), which is part of the Spiritual Care Programme for people approaching the end of life, “Contemplative End of Life Care”.
Dr. Aresca is the Chief Physician at the Hospice “El Buen Pastor” (“The Good Shepherd”) and team coordinator at Paliar, Pain Medicine and Palliative Care. She is also the President of Paliar Foundation, current Vice president of the Palliative Care Council of the SAM (Argentine Society of Medicine) and SAM’s Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Course Director (since 2006). A member and teacher of postgraduate courses of the Argentine Association in Integrative Medicine (AAMI) of the Universidad de Belgrano (Belgrano ́s University), Universidad Favaloro (Favaloro ́s University), and the Asociación Médica Argentina (Argentine Medical Association). She teaches the postgraduate course of Psycho-oncology of the Argentine Medical Association and at the Austral University.
She is a Director and speaker in the Intensive Postgraduate Course taught at Mendoza in 2017 and 2018 at the National University of Cuyo and co-coordinator of the seminar “The art of being with the dying” since 2014. Dr. Aresca is a speaker at numerous symposiums, congresses and events held in hospitals of Capital and the interior of the country and a coordinator and speaker at the meeting “Compassion and Care at the end of life” (2013, 2015 and 2017). She is also a Meditation Workshop Coordinator, the coordinator of retreats given in Buenos Aires and Mendoza as well as a coordinator of seminars about Compassion and Quality of life at the end of life.
Dr. Aresca is the co-author of the books: Psicooncología: diferentes miradas (Psycho-oncology: different looks), Terapias de Avanzada (Advanced Therapies), and Socorro!, mi papá cumplió 100 años (Help! My dad’s turned 100 years old).
Website
www.paliar.com.ar
Session
Saturday, November 14, 2020
10:30 am – 12:00 pm (PST)
“Embracing Difference as a Bridge for Connection”
International Roundtable: Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation

Liese Groot-Alberts
Director of Liese Groot-Alberts Consultants, Ltd.
About
Liese Groot-Alberts was born in Fryslân, part of the Netherlands, is living in New Zealand and works international as a public and keynote speaker, palliative care educator and mentor for Healthcare Professionals.
In 1972 her eldest daughter, aged nearly 3, died suddenly 2 days after the birth of her son. Hope and despair, joy, and sorrow! Out of this life-changing experience came her passion for working with healthcare professionals and volunteers.
Over a period of several years from 1988 she had the tremendous privilege to work for Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross as a workshop leader and staff member conducting workshops in New Zealand, Australia, USA, and Europe.
After Dr. Ross’s retirement, she has continued to develop her own workshops and seminars.
Liese conducts training in trauma, loss, grief and bereavement, Palliative Care, as well as Self-Care for the Carer, resilience, spirituality, mentoring and working with difference, finding strength and hop in connectedness. She has conducted lectures, workshops and seminars in the USA, Europe, Australia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Singapore, Samoa, Zimbabwe and New Zealand.
Website
www.liesegrootalberts.com
Session
Saturday, November 14, 2020
10:30 am – 12:00 pm (PST)
“Embracing Difference as a Bridge for Connection”
International Roundtable: Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation
"Financial and Estate Planning Roundtable"
Estate planning can be a neglected part of financial planning. It’s hard to answer uncomfortable questions such as “What happens to my assets and my loved ones when I die?” It’s no surprise that about half of Americans do not have a will and even fewer have an estate plan. Learn from a panel of experts about the purposes and functioning of the basic documents that comprise an estate plan and why they are important.

Joe Adamo
CPM®, Financial Advisor, Senior Portfolio Manager at Morgan Stanley
About
Joe has focused on “Building, Preserving, and Transferring Family Wealth” for over 29 years. He began his career at E.F. Hutton and now works for Morgan Stanley in Rancho Santa Fe, California. Morgan Stanley serves many of the world’s most sophisticated investors, and his firm is one of the nation’s leading firms to help clients with their personal wealth. As a Financial Advisor, Joe has experience with the unique challenges, styles, and strategies that distinguish wealthy investors. He works with you to help you preserve and grow your wealth, relying on the insights of seasoned investment professionals, a premier trading and execution platform and a full spectrum of investment choices.
Website
https://advisor.morganstanley.com/the-centerpoint-one-group
Session
Saturday, November 14, 2020
1:00 – 2:30 pm (PST)
Financial and Estate Planning Roundtable

Denise Arand
Five Rings Financial
About
Denise believes that knowledge is power. She’s devoted her life to educating people around wealth, finances, and planning for the future. She believes that everyone is entitled to live the life they dream of, send their kids to college, retire with dignity, and create a financially stable future. Together with her husband, Chris, they have helped hundreds of people achieve financial success.They are leveling the playing field when it comes to wealth-building strategies by serving the underserved: women and the rapidly shrinking middle-class of America. Denise is also the author of the book, “Wine, Women, and Wealth:Inspirational Stories of Women Who Got Their Financial Act Together –and How You Can Too.”<br>As the West Coast Vice President of Five Rings Financial, Denise’s job is not only to assist her clients in creating a solid financial future, but also to build a team of financially independent leaders who are interested in a genuine and authentic career opportunity. Five Rings Financial specializes in life insurance with living benefits, tax-free retirement planning, estate preservation, distribution and legacy planning, helping people create income for life, and more.
“I specialize in life insurance that you don’t have to die to use. The type of life insurance I work with provides not only a death benefit, but living benefits for Terminal Illnesses, Chronic Illnesses, Critical Illnesses and Critical Injuries. This provide tax free funds you may use in any way you wish, for experimental treatments, copays/co-insurance, or simply to live out your last days in dignity”.
Website
www.arandsmoneyinfo.com
Session
Saturday, November 14, 2020
1:00 – 2:30 pm (PST)
Financial and Estate Planning Roundtable

David DaCosta
Realtor
President DaCosta Properties
About
A member of the San Diego real estate community, since 2001, David DaCosta prides himself on being involved in the local community. He is the former owner of Jamroc 101, an Encinitas Restaurant. David has also served on the Board of Directors for both the Encinitas and Carlsbad Chambers of Commerce. Living and working in San Diego for over 35 years has given him a great network of connections throughout the county, which helps him put his clients in contact with just the right people, no matter what their need. His entire career has been built around his three core concepts: service, connections, and trust. David does his utmost to get his clients results, while remaining service-oriented, ethical, and a person they can trust, over and over again.
Before entering the real estate industry, he worked in business development and financial services for Fortune 500 Companies. As a real estate agent, his strong people skills, talent for negotiations, and listening ability make him a great asset for anyone who is looking to buy or sell. David is a natural leader who is great at keeping all parties happy and achieving everyone’s goals, while keeping things light and fun. No problem, mon!
A native of Kingston, Jamaica, David loves the beautiful San Diego beaches, yoga, and gardening and is the Brand Ambassador for the San Diego International Film Festival. He lives locally with his family.
Website
linkedin.com/in/davidndacosta
Session
Saturday, November 14, 2020
1:00 – 2:30 pm (PST)
Financial and Estate Planning Roundtable

Adam Englund
Esq., Law Office of Adam Englund
About
Adam Englund has been in solo practice for over 30 years. He handles transactions in the areas of business entity formation and operation, contracts, intellectual property, including trademarks, trade secrets, and copyrights, many aspects of entertainment law, and trust and estate planning. In the estate planning arena, in addition to advanced healthcare directives, powers of attorney, real estate transfers, and wills, Adam helps people avoid the pain of probate.
Individuals who die with over $150,000 in assets – with or without a will – must generally go through the expensive, time consuming, and public process of probate. Probate requires that a representative be appointed, and inventory and valuation be conducted and the distribution of assets be certified by the court. Adam Englund represents individuals and families to avoid probate altogether by preparing a revocable living trust. When an individual dies with a trust, a successor trustee steps in and carries out the trust mandate. Thus, the cost, time, invasion of privacy, and emotional strain of probate is avoided.
Adam says, “The best bequest is to have your affairs in order”.
Website
www.AdamEnglundEsq.com
Session
Saturday, November 14, 2020
1:00 – 2:30 pm (PST)
Financial and Estate Planning Roundtable
"Always With Us - Maintaining Special Family Connections After the Death of a Child"
Join our accomplished panel as they explore how families can maintain spiritual and emotional connections with their child after death. Through the lens of multiple disciplines, including Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Child & Adolescent Therapist and Parent Coach, Certified End of Life Doula, and Bereaved Mother, panelists will discuss the different ways family members may experience anticipatory grief and how bringing great intention to death can ease familial grief. Learn beautiful ways to support families in honoring their child as they move forward with them in spirit.

Bonnie Compton, APRN, BC, CPNP
End of Life Doula, Child and Adolescent Therapist, Parent Coach, and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
About
Bonnie Compton, APRN, BC, CPNP, is an end of life doula, child and adolescent therapist, parent coach, and pediatric nurse practitioner.
She has worked with many children and their families throughout her career and has supported them in various capacities. Bonnie also volunteers in the pediatric palliative care program at the Medical University of South Carolina. She has been privileged to provide support for families navigating their child’s critical illness or death. She has witnessed the overwhelm parents experience day to day as they care for their child while making difficult decisions. Balancing wanting to offer their child the best chance possible for a healthy life, while weighing the effects of difficult treatments. Parents also have the weight of balancing work and home life. Often there are other children at home to think about and care for.
Once medical treatments are no longer effective, parents are faced with the pain of knowing that their child will eventually die. This is an unbelievable pain they never thought they’d face. Ultimately, they are faced with more decisions. How do they want their child to live while preparing for them to die? What quality of life do they hope for their child towards the end of their life? If the child is of age to voice their wishes, what do they want?
Just as parents plan for the birth of their child, it is equally important to consciously plan for their death. Although this is something they never thought they would have to do. In a loving way, parents are able to offer the child and family a beautiful gift. A gift of a gentle and compassionate death.
Bonnie’s intention is to walk beside families on this journey. To help create a safe passage for their child to live and die peacefully. To help guide parents so that they’re prepared as possible and able to be there fully to support their child and family. Through her support, parents have the peace of knowing that they lovingly cared for their child throughout their final journey.
Website
Session
Saturday, November 14, 2020
2:00 – 3:00 pm (PST)
PANEL: Always With Us – Maintaining Special Family Connections After the Death of a Child

C. Robert Bennett, CPNP-AC, PhD (c)
Pediatric Palliative Care Researcher, Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and End of Life Doula
About
Robert is a Pediatric Palliative Care Researcher, Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and End of Life Doula. He is a PhD Candidate at the University of Colorado College of Nursing and is researching how adolescents who have advanced forms of cancer conceptualize hope. Robert is passionate about the topics of resilience and hope in individuals who have serious illnesses.
Session
Saturday, November 14, 2020
2:00 – 3:00 pm (PST)
PANEL: Always With Us – Maintaining Special Family Connections After the Death of a Child

Rachael Klos, MA
Certified Death Doula
End of Life Educator
About
Rachael Klos is an educator and advocate at heart. After over a decade in education, coaching teachers, and instructing children with different needs, it was the magical life and peaceful death of her son, Henry, that was the greatest catalyst for transformation in her life. Bringing great intention to her son’s eventual death, she believes, has provided unexpected comfort through her family’s grief. Now, as a Certified Death Doula and End of Life Educator, Rachael is a guiding light for families of sick and dying children and a grief support in their overwhelming “after.” Rachael’s mission is to normalize death and grief at all ages while cultivating intentional living, conscious dying, and purposeful grieving.
Website
Session
Saturday, November 14, 2020
2:00 – 3:00 pm (PST)
PANEL: Always With Us – Maintaining Special Family Connections After the Death of a Child
"Grief Through the Years: A Panel Discussion about the Evolution of Grief"
Widowhood is an evolving life experience. Each year of widowhood is accompanied by new revelations, new sets of challenges and new perspectives relating to having outlived the person with whom we planned to share our lives. For this unique workshop, we’ve gathered a panel of your widowed peers with varying backgrounds, professions, life experiences and amounts of time widowed to explore the way widowed life changes through the years. Soaring Spirits Founder, Michele Neff Hernandez, will moderate this panel of widowed people willing to share their hearts, their experience, and their widowed life with you. Join us for a look at how widowhood changes day to day and year to year.

Michele Neff Hernandez
CEO and Founder of Soaring Spirits International
About
Michele Neff Hernandez is the CEO and Founder of Soaring Spirits
International, a nonprofit organization providing research informed
resources and peer support programming for widowed people around the
world. Michele founded the Soaring Spirits Resilience Center at Schreiner
University in Kerrville Texas and serves as the center’s Director. She is
also a speaker, writer, and community activist and has received local, state,
and national recognition for her work in founding Soaring Spirits.
Michele resides in Simi Valley, California with her three amazing kids plus
their awesome partners, and one very Australian husband.
Website
soaringspirits.org
Session
Saturday, November 14, 2020
3:00 – 4:00 pm (PST)
Grief Through the Years: A Panel Discussion about the Evolution of Grief

Ron Hyrchuk
Retired Hospital Chaplain and Grief Counselor
About
Ron Hyrchuk is a retired hospital chaplain and grief counselor. In 2019, the year of his retirement, his wife Linda was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died on November 13th. He is adjusting to all these changes with recently rescued dogs DaVinci, a Saint Bernard, and Mudd, a Pit mix. Every breath is a new and challenging experience. Every moment of life is a gift and Ron believes that living is a privilege, not a promise.
Session
Saturday, November 14, 2020
3:00 – 4:00 pm (PST)
Grief Through the Years: A Panel Discussion about the Evolution of Grief

Bobby Moss
Cisco Systems Sr. Program Manager
About
Bobby Moss is a Program Manager for a Fortune 100 IT company where he leads transformational programs for professional services. He excels in leading cross-functional/multi-cultural teams, leadership development and strategy, mentoring, business development, and relationship building.
He lost his husband, Terry Ford, in a motorcycle accident while traveling in Thailand in 2017 just a few months after they were legally married on their 30th anniversary. He found refuge in an online support community for LGBTQ+ people and now helps to administer the group, which has grown to over 1,200 members.
Bobby recently moved to Maryland to start a new chapter in his life with his partner Tim who he met a little over a year and a half ago. When he can, he enjoys spending time in nature hiking or camping where he finds solace. He has a stepson Chris, daughter-in-law Meg, and two grandsons Noah and Eli who live in Atlanta, Georgia
Website
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobby-moss-mba-9b152b4/
Session
Saturday, November 14, 2020
3:00 – 4:00 pm (PST)
Grief Through the Years: A Panel Discussion about the Evolution of Grief

Shekoofeh Manzoor Sussman
Artist and Teacher
About
Shekoofeh Manzoor Sussman is an artist, teacher, mother and widow. She was born in southern Iran, and immigrated to the United States on July 23,1979. She left Iran during the Islamic revolution due to anti-semitism, and has not returned since that day. Shekoofeh and her husband Harold who passed away December 9, 2016 have two children. Shekoofeh lives in Severn, Maryland, and likes to travel and attend as many Soaring Spirits events as she can. She is an artist in different media and a teacher. She enjoys very much doing her art and teaching.
Session
Saturday, November 14, 2020
3:00 – 4:00 pm (PST)
Grief Through the Years: A Panel Discussion about the Evolution of Grief

Tanya Villanueva Tepper
Soaring Spirits International
About
Tanya is a 9/11 widow living happily “even” after who is featured in the Peabody Award-winning documentary, Rebirth. The film captures the almost decade-long journey of five individuals whose lives were permanently altered by the September 11th attacks on the WorldTrade Center. Interwoven with time-lapse photography of the rebuilding of the site at Ground Zero, the audience sees each participant through the darkest days of grief and trauma toward hope, healing, and renewal. It is the longest and most complete film record of people coping in the aftermath of the disaster and is a unique tool for teaching, healing, and research.
Rebirth premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2011 and on Showtime network for the 10th anniversary of the attacks and has a permanent home at the National September 11th Museum. The full archive of films is also available online at the Georgetown University Digital Library.
As lesson plans for September 11th made their way into the educational curriculum for middle school, high school, and college-level students, Tanya was honored to collaborate with nonprofit organization Project Rebirth in their educational initiatives. After screening the feature film Rebirth, or the 20-minute short film, Rebirth: Tanya, Tanya speaks directly to students about what she and other families endured during the aftermath. While providing a personal connection to the day, Tanya shares the many valuable lessons around grief, resilience, and heroism.
Tanya is a member of the Advisory Board for Soaring Spirits International, which brings peer-based programs to the widowed community. Each year, Tanya delivers hope, comfort, and laughter through her workshops at Camp Widow, a weekend-long gathering of widows from around the world. She is also a Soaring Spirits Regional Group leader and facilitates social support gatherings for those who are living in Miami.
Tanya is a recognized 9/11 family member and has appeared on CBS This Morning, The Talk (CBS), Extra (NBC), Good Morning America (ABC), and other network and international news programs. She has been featured in articles for the New York Times, the Toronto Star, and Robb Report Motorcycling. She has spoken at The White House, the Vinfen Film Festival at Harvard University, and the Sarasota Film Festival.
Tanya delivered her talks, “Happily Even After” at TEDxCoconutGrove in 2016, “Grief: What Everyone Should Know” at TEDxUniversityofMiami in 2017, and has written articles for the Huffington Post. She loves her life in Miami with her husband Ray, two daughters, their bearded dragon, and rescue dog Tony Rico. For more information please visit her website.
Website
www.tanyavtepper.com
Session
Saturday, November 14, 2020
3:00 – 4:00 pm (PST)
Grief Through the Years: A Panel Discussion about the Evolution of Grief
End of Life on Your Own Terms; Beyond the Oregon Aid In Dying Model
The model for assistance in dying has been the Death with Dignity law first passed in Oregon in 1994. In the intervening 36 years a modification of this law has been passed in ten states. Though immensely helpful it is restrictive; it is for people with terminal illnesses, who can swallow, who can find two doctors, who can survive a 15 day waiting period, and who are mentally competent. There are other choices for a peaceful death that we will discuss here which would serve a broader population. Faye Girsh will contrast the End of Life Option Act with the Canadian model. Dr. Uslander will talk about VSED, and Gary Wederspahn will examine the model used by Final Exit Network.

Faye Girsh, EdD
Founder, Hemlock Society of San Diego
About
Faye Girsh was President of the Hemlock Society USA in Denver from 1996 to 2004, following its founder, Derek Humphry. In 1987 she began the Hemlock Society of San Diego and was president from 1987 to 1996 and again from 2006 to 2019.
She was also President of the World Federation of Right to Die Societies. She initiated the Caring Friends program at
Hemlock which has become the Final Exit Network, where she serves on the Advisory Board. She is on the board of
ERGO (Euthanasia Research and Guidance Organization) For many years she was on a board member and Newsletter Editor for the World Federation of Right to Die Societies and is Past President. In 2003, she was awarded Hemlock’s
Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2016 she was the recipient of the Marilyn Sequinn award from the World Federation of Right to Die Societies
Dr. Girsh received her doctorate in Human Development from Harvard University. She was Associate Professor and Chair of the Psychology Department at Morehouse College for nine years. From 1974-78 she was a Research Associate at the University of Chicago and also taught at Roosevelt and Northwestern Universities. For 18 years she practiced as a clinical and forensic psychologist in San Diego. She has lectured extensively in the U.S. and abroad and appeared in numerous radio and TV shows.
Website
https://www.facebook.com/HemlockSocietySanDiego/
Session
Sunday, November 15, 2020
11:00 am – 12:30 pm (PST)
PANEL: End of Life on Your Own Terms; Beyond the Oregon Aid In Dying Model

Dr. Bob Uslander
Founder and Medical Director
Intergated MD Care
About
Dr. Bob Uslander has been practicing medicine for more than thirty years, and is the founder of Integrated MD Care in San Diego, California. He leads a team of holistic practitioners serving the elderly, those experiencing complex illness and those facing the end-of-life. They care for people in their homes, overseeing the entire scope of medical and non-medical care, providing a coordinated, compassionate, empowered experience for patients and loved ones. Dr. Bob graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Illinois in 1984 with a degree in Biology and received his MD from the UCLA School of Medicine in 1988. He is board certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine and is a member of the American Association of Hospice and Palliative Care, the California Medical Society and the San Diego County Medical Society. Dr. Bob is committed to helping people live with joy, and without fear and struggle, at any stage of life, and especially in the face of challenging and terminal illnesses. His dedicated team of healing professionals includes massage therapists, physical therapists, music therapists, nutrition experts and others, allowing patients to experience the best possible quality of life as they face their challenging and heroic journeys.
Website
https://integratedmdcare.com
Session
Sunday, November 15, 2020
11:00 am – 12:30 pm (PST)
PANEL: End of Life on Your Own Terms; Beyond the Oregon Aid In Dying Model

Gary Wederspahn
Final Exit Network
About
Gary has lived and worked in eight foreign countries for seventeen years. Business travel has taken him to 33 countries. In addition, he has over thirty years of experience as an intercultural consultant, trainer, speaker and author. Relevant experience:
• Peace Corp Director for Ecuador, Guatemala, Costa Rica
• Director of cross-cultural training in South Africa, Puerto Rico and Ecuador
• Intercultural training program designer and instructor for hundreds of international business assignees and their families
• Author of 70+ articles and the book, Intercultural Services: a Worldwide Guide and Sourcebook
• Presenter at dozens of conferences
• Activist in the right-to-die movement since the early 1980s
• Board member of Final Exit Network
Website
Session
Sunday, November 15, 2020
11:00 am – 12:30 pm (PST)
PANEL: End of Life on Your Own Terms; Beyond the Oregon Aid In Dying Model
"Navigating the Wild Ride of Grief for Young Adults in the midst of Covid-19"
If you are in your 20s and 30s, and have lost someone to COVID-19, or have a dear friend or family member who is seriously ill with COVID-19, this panel discussion is for you! If you’re a provider or grief worker who supports folks in this age range, this is for you too!
Illness and death of loved ones can be devastating for anyone at any age. But grieving as a young adult can sometimes come with its own unique kinds of isolation, and grief support focusing specifically on this age range tends to be scarce in comparison to offerings for children and older adults. This round table discussion opens up dialogue with young adults who are experiencing grief in their communities.
Join our discussion as our Millennials and Generation Z help us understand what it’s like to be a young adult who’s lost someone, how it feels to work in the grief field as a young adult, and how young adults are finding ways to offer mutual aid and support to each other in the midst of a global pandemic.

Noah Cochran, MSW
Co-Founder, COVID Grief Network
Clinical Social Worker
About
Noah Cochran holds a Master of Social Work degree from the Smith College School for Social Work and is a co-founder of the COVID Grief Network, a volunteer-run grassroots organization that provides short-term grief support and longer-term community building for young adults who are grieving in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic.. They are guided by a deep belief in the healing power of relationships, community, and “undoing aloneness”. Since unexpectedly losing each of their parents in their teens, Noah has been pulled to being with the grief of others as a way to explore their own.
For the last six years, Noah has primarily fostered relationships with young folks, most recently as a therapist for high school students in the Bay Area and as a traveling facilitator for college students studying abroad. Alongside their work with the COVID Grief Network, Noah has also co-facilitated grief retreats for young adults and is a host for The Dinner Party, an organization that connects 20- and 30-somethings who have experienced big loss to each other.
Noah believes in ritual, laughter alongside mourning, and being with big questions about how to be in right relationship to each other and to our world. When not working in the grief world, Noah is a flower farmer, a book enthusiast, and a fledgling woodworker.
Website
Session
Sunday, November 15, 2020
2:30 – 4:00 pm (PST)
PANEL: Navigating the Wild Ride of Grief for Young Adults in the Midst of COVID-19

Charly Jaffe, M.A.
Crisis Counselor,
Executive Producer, & Author
About
Charly Jaffe is a crisis counselor, executive producer and best-selling author on a mission to help people find freedom in the places we run from. A yoga teacher and award-winning Google change-maker, she interweaves data, storytelling and insights from her own mental health journey to help others replace shame and isolation with connection and empowerment. Charly received an M.A. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Columbia University, where she focused her thesis on media, positive psychology and suicide prevention. You can learn more and connect at www.charlyjaffe.com.
Website
Session
Sunday, November 15, 2020
2:30 – 4:00 pm (PST)
PANEL: Navigating the Wild Ride of Grief for Young Adults in the Midst of COVID-19

Naomi Fedna
Project Coordinator,
Institute for Healthcare Improvement
The Conversation Project
About
Charly Jaffe is a crisis counselor, executive producer and best-selling author on a mission to help people find freedom in the places we run from. A yoga teacher and award-winning Google change-maker, she interweaves data, storytelling and insights from her own mental health journey to help others replace shame and isolation with connection and empowerment. Charly received an M.A. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Columbia University, where she focused her thesis on media, positive psychology and suicide prevention. You can learn more and connect at www.charlyjaffe.com.
Website
Session
Sunday, November 15, 2020
2:30 – 4:00 pm (PST)
PANEL: Navigating the Wild Ride of Grief for Young Adults in the Midst of COVID-19
Dying Your Way End-of-Life Doulas
Roundtable Discussion
We are all physical, emotional, mental beings having a spiritual experience, and from womb to tomb we should all seek the best integrated, interdisciplinary care available to us … certainly when facing a possible life-threatening diagnosis.
Let’s consider our own end of life plan, start a conversation and be curious together. Dying Your Way certified End Of Life Doulas will answer your questions in the panel discussion that will be following immediately after DYW Co-Founder Claire O’Berry’s workshop presentation.

Claire O'Berry, CEOLD
Co-Founder, Dying Your Way
About
Co-Founder, DYW, CEOLD
Busselton, Western Australia / Slidell, Texas
Claire O’Berry is a Certified End of Life Doula (CEOLD) and member of the National End of Life Doula Association (NEDA). Claire and her husband, Terry Mepham, created the DYW website and Portal Program to provide global access to a sacred and humane way of dying by using EOL Doula skills and services online. Their practical, empowered approach to the end of life has become a movement, inspiring hundreds to look at their inevitable end with awe and empowerment. A frequent speaker, she can be heard on Elevate Radio, Apple and Spotify in her podcast, Dying Your Way.
Website
www.dyingyourway.com
Session
Sunday, November 15, 2020
4:30 – 5:30 pm (PST)
PANEL: Dying Your Way End of Life Doulas Roundtable Discussion

Valerie Armand, LPN, CEOLD
Exiting Gracefully, DYW Affiliate
About
LPN, CEOLD
New Orleans, Louisiana
Valerie is an LPN and CEOLD with over 20 years experience serving others at the end of life. Founder of Exiting Gracefully, her passion lies in removing the stigma that society has placed on facing our mortality. She provides consulting, education and mentoring as a way to empower others, helping them navigate their own unique journey.
Website
www.exitinggracefully.com
Session
Sunday, November 15, 2020
4:30 – 5:30 pm (PST)
PANEL: Dying Your Way End of Life Doulas Roundtable Discussion

Kerry MeKeel, CEOLD
Soul to Soul Care, DYW Affiliate
About
Soul to Soul Care, CEOLD
New Orleans, Louisiana
Kerry Mekeel is a certified End of Life Doula, affiliate of Dying Your Way and a certified ACPE for MIDEO.
As the Resource Center Coordinator of DYW her purpose is to provide an array of information and material, promoting death literacy.
As an affiliate to DYW, she offers a practical, compassionate and authentic approach to support end of life planning and care.
She is passionate about the resurgence of psychedelics studies and medicinal uses for mental health and end of life care.
She respects the importance of dying well and advocates to do so, while meeting you soul to soul.
Website
www.dyingyourway.com
Session
Sunday, November 15, 2020
4:30 – 5:30 pm (PST)
PANEL: Dying Your Way End of Life Doulas Roundtable Discussion

Denise Reed, CEOLD
Tranquil Transitions, DYW Affiliate
About
Tranquil Transition ~ Empowering Those At The End Of Life, CEOLD
Beaumont, Texas
Denise Reed is a certified End of Life Companion/Doula. Her role is to support, guide, empower and comfort those individuals and families through times of critical life change. Denise volunteers with her local hospice, she is actively pursuing pet therapy with her Goldendoodle Ellie as well as being an Aroma Freedom Technique Practitioner. She is registered with NEDA- National End of Life Doula Alliance.
Denise will respond to your individual needs with respect and integrity and offer comfort during your end of life journey.
Website
www.denisereeddoula.com
Session
Sunday, November 15, 2020
4:30 – 5:30 pm (PST)
PANEL: Dying Your Way End of Life Doulas Roundtable Discussion