News

Physician, Researcher and Author Joanne Lynn To Lecture at Duke

April 2, 2008

Joanne Lynn, M.D. – ethicist, physician, health services researcher, and author of Handbook for Mortals:  Guidance for People Facing Serious Illness – will visit the Duke Institute on Care at the End of Life on Thursday, April 3.

Dr. Lynn will discuss “Quality Health Care at the End of Life” at 12:20 p.m. in Room 0015 Westbrook.  She will also present a lecture entitled “What Should We Promise to People Living with Fatal Conditions?” at the Palliative Care Conference at 4:30 p.m. at Duke Hospital North, Room 1103 – Chair’s Suite.

Dr. Lynn is an internationally known leader in helping terminally ill patients improve their quality of life.  She helps shape healthcare policy in her position with the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS).  She is past president of Americans for Better Care of the Dying; former director of the Washington Home Center for Palliative Care Studies; and was a senior scientist at RAND Corporation.

She also served as project director of the President’s Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems in Medicine and Biomedical and Behavioral Research and principal writer of the Commission’s book, Deciding to Forego Life-Sustaining Treatment. She authoredSick To Death and Not Going to Take It Anymore!, the groundbreaking exploration of health care in America.

“Joanne Lynn is a national treasure – the most articulate, courageous, and scientifically-grounded voice in our nation for the improvement of health care for people approaching the end of life,” says Donald M. Berwick, M.D., M.P.P., president and CEO of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.  “For the public and professionals alike, her work provides motivation and sound guidance for building the care system we need, a system that we do not yet, by any means, have.”

“Dr. Lynn has led the way in improving how we experience dying in our country,” adds Dr. Richard Payne, director of the Institute on Care at the End of Life.  “Her visit provides a tremendous opportunity for learning and engagement for members of the campus community, as well as physicians, nurses, chaplains and others concerned with care for dying patients and their families.”

Joanne Lynn will be signing her book, Handbook for Mortals:  Guidance for People Facing Serious Illness in Room 0015 Westbrook at 1:20.