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St. Olaf Department of Social Work sponsoring National Healthcare Decisions Day

By David Gonnerman '90
April 14, 2008

The St. Olaf College Department of Social Work and Family Studies is joining a number of local, state and national organizations that are promoting a national effort to highlight the importance of advance healthcare decision-making. The efforts have culminated in the formal designation of Wednesday, April 16, as National Healthcare Decisions Day. Local organizations will provide information and tools for the public to talk about their wishes with family, friends and healthcare providers, and execute written advance directives in accordance with Minnesota state laws.

The day's main event will include a presentation and panel discussion about advance care planning and advance directives from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Northfield Public Library, followed by free consultations until 5 p.m. Panelists will include Joan Kark '60, Susan Lohmann '81 and nurse practictitioner Mary Carlson '81, plus a social worker, a chaplain, an attorney and a physician.

"As a result of National Healthcare Decisions Day, many more people in our community can be expected to have thoughtful conversations about their healthcare decisions and complete reliable advance directives to make their wishes known," says Mary Carlsen '79, professor of social work at St. Olaf. "Making our wishes known is a great gift to our loved ones."

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.