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Stephen Kiernan
Keynote Fee : Call For Quote Travels From: VT |
Topics
- Aging
- Hospice / End of Life Care
- Senior Health
- Eldercare
- Home HealthCare
- Ethics
- Leadership & Strategy
Events
- Board Retreat
- Community Events
- Doctor's Meetings
- Executive Forums / Summits
- Leadership Events
- Medical School Events
- Staff Development
- Women's Conferences
Products
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Programs
Last Rights: Rescuing the End of Life from the Medical System(Based on his book by the same name)
Recent medical advances have dramatically reduced sudden causes of death such as heart attacks, strokes and accidents. Today our lives end slowly, giving us an unprecedented opportunity for meaningful closure-free of pain, among loved ones, with affairs in order and spiritual calm attained.
While Stephen shares the stories of people who died after enduring avoidable pain and needless indignities, more importantly, he shares the stories of those whose last days were pain free, who lived life fully right to the last moment. Above all, he shows how patients and families can regain control of the dying process, creating familial intimacy like never before.
Bolstered by both scientific research and intimate portraits of men and women from all walks of life, Last Rights offers a hopeful, profound vision for patients, doctors, and families. It is a way to honor the dying during their greatest vulnerability, a chance for families to reconnect, an opportunity for the medical system to treat patients with ultimate respect, a time to give comfort and compassion to those we most love.
In speaking about end-of life care, it has been said that Stephen Kiernan has " the heart of a poet and the skill of an investigative reporter."
Many Americans today experience fulfilling final chapters in their lives, thanks less to medicine than to the support of their family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. Merging medical data with inspirational (and often funny) stories, Stephen Kiernan describes how to make this kind of rewarding finish possible for those you love.
Better Answers: Practicing Ethics in a Challenging AgeStephen's discussion of end-of-life care has led to invitations to speak on wider topics -- about medical ethics and ethics more generally. His talks investigate the challenges of ethical decision-making in complex environments and sometimes competing legitimate interests. He also offers an interactive exercise that involves every person in the audience and that sparks lively and heartfelt discussion.
Additional Keynotes- New Challenges, New Opportunities -- Peace and Potential in Life's Last Chapter
- Sluggards and Innovators -- The Lay of the Land in End-of-Life Care
- Silent Problem, Overlooked Opportunity -- Why Business Leaders Sould Demand Better End-of-Life Care
- The Difference Between a Patient and a Person
- Power and Potential -- Why Every Adult Should Have an Advance Directive
- The Missing Partner -- How Faith Communities Can Do More for People Who Are Ill
- Who Is Alive? Emerging Case Law in End-of-Life Care
- On or Off the Record -- The Unique Ethics of Interviewing the Dying
Speaker Information
Over his decades as a journalist, Stephen Kiernan has written for the Boston Globe, the AARP Bulletin, and many other newspapers and magazines. He has won 40 awards, including the Bechner Institute's Freedom of Information Award, the Gerald Loeb Award for financial journalism (two time commentary finalist) and the 2003 George Polk Award for medical reporting.
In 2006 Stephen wrote the book: Last Rights: Rescuing the End of Life from the Medical System, to raise people's awareness on death and the options open to them. "I found the way we die in America changed dramatically and the way we care for people dying not changing at all," Kiernan said. "I found people suffering needlessly." It has been said this book will radically change the way people face mortality." His book has been featured on OprahSelects.com.
Stephen is a graduate of Middlebury College, and received an MA degree from Johns Hopkins University and an MFA degree from the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop. He has taught at Middlebury College and the New England Young Writers Conference, and has worked on the staff of the Breadloaf School of English and the Breadloaf Writers Conference. He has served on the board of The Brautigan Library and the Young Writers Project.
Stephen's programs uplift and inspire. Despite the serious subject matter, he brings humor to the platform and audiences find themselves laughing as well as being better informed.
Stephen has also performed on the guitar for many years. In addition to recording 3 CDs of solo instrumentals, he has composed music for dance, the stage, documentaries and TV specials. He lives in Vermont with his two amazing sons.
Testimonials
"Stephen Kiernan is an incredibly capitvating public speaker whose years of journalistic excellence convey a strong message about some of the problems and cures for today's health system."
- Donald Schumacher, President, National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
"Kiernan goes beyond expose to uncover hopefuil progress and practical ways to protect and nurture the people we love."
- Ira Byock MD, author of Dying Well
"Stephen Kiernan's speaking appearances are certain to change lives and make a significant difference for those fortunate enough to read his book or cross his path. I could not recommend any writer or speaker with more enthusiasm. Stephen Kiernan will change your life."
- David Wolk, President, Castleton State College
"Stephen Kiernan's personal authority and gentle presence are captivating. He has the uncanny ability to make us believe not only that the state of end-of-life health care in America must change, but that we must be active agents of that change."
- Linda Piotrowski, Chaplain, Norris Cotton Cancer Center-Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center