a chartered guild of the Catholic Medical Association
I think it’s fair to say that we who take care of patients at the end of their lives have seen the “will to live” (or loss thereof) drastically affect the timing of a person’s death.
This review suggests the field remains in the early stages in terms of data quality. Definitely will be interesting to keep an eye on future studies.
Dear Friends,
Thank you to everyone who offered their support for my talk about Physician Assisted Suicide opposite Tim Quill on Wednesday! I very much appreciate the (virtual) “in-person” support of those who were able to join via Zoom and for all of your prayers!
I am told that the session was recorded and I will post the link when it becomes available.
In Christ,
Tom Carroll
Please consider supporting our President, Dr. Tom Carroll, as he talks about Physician Assisted Suicide opposite Dr. Timothy Quill on Wednesday, 5/27, from 12-1pm. The Zoom link is https://urmc.zoom.us/s/94337697512
This presentation is part of the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Unmasked conference. This is a forum for presentations about projects around the COVID-19 crisis and abstracts that were part of canceled conferences this spring. In addition to Dr. Carroll’s presentation there is a full slate of intriguing presentations on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Please feel free to join any/all that you like!
Full daily schedules here:
Both talks are free and open to the public. Just stop by the info desk in the main lobby of the hospital for directions to the room.
I had a really nice time speaking at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church last night as part of their Breath of Life Ministry’s Respect Life Month. What a wonderful group of people, and such a beautiful church!
I hope that this sort of event sparks conversations among family and friends about the importance of careful advance care planning. It is all too easy these days to sign documents (e.g., standard NYS living wills and certain part of the MOLST form) that will direct care that goes against Catholic Teaching.
My basic advice: We all need a Health Care Proxy and we do NOT need a standard NYS living will. I recommend using the document put out by the NY Conference of Bishops entitled Now and at the Hour of Our Death. This makes clear who should making health care decisions if you were to be unable to make them yourself (the Health Care Proxy portion) and that you wish for all medical care to be provided that is in accord with Catholic Teaching (the “Living Will” portion).
The MOLST form is ONLY POSSIBLY appropriate for those who would not benefit from attempts to restart their heart if it were to stop (CPR vs DNR) or who would be very unlikely to benefit from even a few days on a ventilator. I strongly recommend AGAINST competing the section on Artificial Nutrition and Hydration as this question is never an emergency and so can and should be assessed and decided upon by a person’s Health Care Proxy at the time.
For a Catholic POLST (which is what the rest of the country calls forms similar to NYS’s MOLST) see the thoughtful discussion from the National Catholic Bioethics Center here.
Thank you again to the wonderful people at St. Stanislaus’s parish for inviting me last night. May God continue to bless your exceptional ministry.
Mary, Health of the Sick, Pray for Us!
Tom Carroll – President
October is Respect Life Month (in addition to being the month of the Rosary), so please consider taking advantage of talks taking place at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church! See the flyer below, and note that the speaker on 10/28 is our very own Guild President!
Thank you to everyone who made today’s conference a success!
Please plan on attending!
Dr. Thomas Carroll
Wednesday, September 27, 2017 from 7-8:30 pm
St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry
120 French Rd, Rochester, NY 14618
Please plan on attending a talk on euthanasia by Peter Colosi on 3 August 2017 from 7-8:30 pm at St. John of Rochester in Fairport.