PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS: This program will present an overview of the cultural aspect related to End-of-Life issues for five cultures.  Caring for individuals at end of life requires sensitivity, competency and proficiency.  An awareness of cultural diversity affects end-of-life care.   Susan Waters will present an overview of the day's  program  that  is designed to help you better understand the influence of culture on professional practice in the 21st century.

"Facing End of Life Jewishly", Nina Perlmutter  will cover significant Jewish attitudes towards end-of-life decision making, and mourning practices, including traditional visiting the sick (Bikkur Holim), burial preparation (Chevra Kadisha activities), Shiva, Shloshim and Yahrzeit observance.

Native American Culture: End-of-Life, or Is It?, Don Nelson  will share information on the Hopi 3^rd Mesa view and practice of End of Life… or IS IT? The program will discuss End of Life:  Differences Among the Hopi, including Maternal Culture of Hopi, Clans, Villages and Mesas. There will be an overview of End of Life for other Tribes, including “We Are Not the Same”: preparation, and final act and actions. This segment will conclude with this question: End of Life:  Is It?, including Massaw Clan teachings, preparation before, planting the body, traveling spirit to another dimension, and ritual reminders.

An introduction to the Hispanic peoples of the US , presented by Maria Thomas, "QuienSon Los Hispanos",  will discuss the impact of Global Influences on American Hispanic peoples, a historical review of migrations, and Hispanic culture and health care practices. There will be a review of the care of the dying patient, what to expect during the end of life process, rituals and traditions relating to death and dying, perception of death, celebrations, spiritual meanings (especially surrounding a time when departed are close to us), viewing of the body, funerals, Rosary, burial vs. cremation, and Descansos--origins and current meanings.

Adia Askew will present to the audience  what scholarly literature views as end-of-life traditions and beliefs for African Americans. This presentation will include descriptions of some prevalent end-of-life activities practiced by some African Americans.  The research and the findings for this presentation will be detailed.  The findings in the literature will then be compared to the study results.

This program is aimed at the intermediate skill level.

MODERATOR:  N. Mark Shelley, PhD, is currently Division Dean of the Liberal Arts Division for Yavapai College Prescott campus. In addition to administrative duties, he also instructs courses in Psychology and Sociology.  Dr. Shelley has a broad background in Social and Behavioral Sciences, having received his undergraduate degree from York University in Toronto, Canada, Masters degrees in Educational Psychology and Cross-cultural Studies, as well as Ph.D. in Urban Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He has been in higher education since 1986, teaching at Manhattan Christian College, Lincoln Christian College and Seminary, Illinois State University, and Grand Canyon University; and served as an adjunct professor for: Fuller Theological Seminary, Phoenix Seminary, Prescott College, and Northern Arizona University; and has done research or taught in Indonesia, Mexico, Canada, the Philippines, Haiti, France, and Puerto Rico.

FACULTY:

Susan M. Waters, MSSW, MA, has been dedicated to Hospice end-of-life care for over 20 years.  Since 1999, she has been with YRMC Hospice where she is the Team Coordinator for the program.  Ms. Waters has experienced culturally diverse populations throughout her career.  She holds a Masters of Science degree in Social Work as well as a Masters of Arts degree in Management.

Nina Perlmutter, MA, chaired the Philosophy & Religion Program at Yavapai College from 1984-2006. Now Emeritus Faculty, she teaches part-time at Yavapai, and for NAU Elderhostel. She is founder and President of the Chevra Kadisha of Northern Arizona (Jewish Burial Society). Now becoming a rabbi, Ms. Pelmutter is in her senior year of seminary at the Academy for Jewish Religion California. She serves as Student Rabbi for the Flagstaff synagogue, Heichal Baoranim. She is a member of Temple Brith Shalom, and formerly chaired its Religious Practices Committee. Ms. Perlmutter received a B.A. in Philosophy from City College of NY, an M.A. in Philosophy from Arizona State University; and she is currently a Senior Rabbinical Student, Academy for Jewish Religion California.

Donald K. Nelson, employed at the Yavapai-Prescott Tribe as Site Director for the tribe’s Boys and Girls Clubs. He presents continuing education trainings on the Hopi way of life. From 1978 to 2002, he was employed at Yavapai Community College as an Instructor in printmaking, drawing, painting, and in Southwest Indian Arts. He was also the Native American Programs Coordinator for Special Interest Programs. Mr. Nelson is a Hopi from Kykotsmoui Village 3^rd Mesa, Arizona, and is active with Hopi life at many levels from family to ritual duties; a volunteer for Federal Correctional Institution in Phoenix with native Indian men; and does Community service with different levels of the greater Prescott area.

Maria Elena Thomas, RN, BSN, MS, received her BSN from the University of Arizona in 1980, and her MS in 1990 in Human Resources Management, from Golden Gate University. She has worked in a variety of areas in nursing such as Med-Surg, Labor and Delivery, Home Health, and Hospice. Ms. Thomas is currently the Performance Improvement Coordinator for Yavapai Regional Medical Center Home Care Services in Prescott Arizona. She spent the first 11 years of her nursing career as nurse in the US Navy.

Adia Askew, MSW, is currently employed at Crisis Nursery as a Visitation Specialist, where she has the opportunity to conduct research for her agency.  She is also pursing her LMSW.  Askew travels abroad on missions and humanitarian trips to other countries. She received her undergraduate degree from Grand Canyon University, where she was a Scholars 100, and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology.  In 2007 Askew graduated from Arizona State University West Campus with a Master’s of Social Work. 

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:  At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

• identify cultural populations showing significant growth in the US and Arizona,

• articulate 3 different cultural beliefs that influence end-of-life care,

• formulate 3 culturally proficient health care assessment questions,

• improve communication techniques with culturally diverse populations,

• identify key values/assumptions guiding Jewish  cultural approach to end-of-life decision-making and customs,

• discuss, compare and contrast key Jewish approaches to these matters with other cultures,

• identify specific Arizona Indian resource material of End of Life traditions,

• discuss Arizona Indian traditions/practices to increase understanding & awareness for non-Indian participants,

• identify specific cultural traditions in a modern society,

• recognize Arizona Indian cultural, social, and ritual ideas related to end-of-life issues,

• discuss the historical and cultural influences on today's Hispanic Americans,

• identify two practices that are common in the Hispanic death and dying process, 

• recognize the importance of individual meaning in the expression of culture, 

• discuss the multi-faceted aspects of the African American culture,

• identify how certain factors influence the African American population’s end-of-life traditions, including socioeconomic status, geographic location, relationship to African American  community, and religious background and/or religious practices.

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Physicians, Nurses, Social Workers, Psychologists, Licensed Professional Counselors, and Other Interested Healthcare Professionals.

AGENDA:

7:30 AM - 8:00 AM                Registration, Sign-In, and Continental Breakfast
                                                 Musical Entertainment - Artists: Debra Hiller; Julie Cargill

                                                 Introductions: Welcome; Goals of CPCC
                                                 Program Planner: Sue Zager, APN, President of CPCC

8:00 AM - 8:15 AM                Goals: Learning Objective of the Educational Conference
                                                 Moderator: Mark Shelley, PhD

8:15 AM - 9:15 AM               Topic: Overview: Pearls of Culture--Changing Cultural Healthcare Practice of 21st Century
                                                Presenter: Susan M. Waters, MSSW, MA

9:15 AM - 10:15 AM             Topic: Facing End-of-Life Jewishly (or Facing End-of-Life as Jews)
                                                Presenter: Nina Perlmutter, MA

10:15 AM - 10:30 AM           Morning Break

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM           Topic: Native American Culture: End-of-Life – Or, Is It?
                                                Presenter: Don K. Nelson

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM           Lunch Buffet (lunch is included)

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM             Topic: “Quien Son Los Hispanos?” (or) “Who are the Hispanics?”
                                                Presenter:  Maria Thomas, RN, BSN, MS

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM               Topic: 3 Factors That Could Influence End of Life Traditions for African Americans                                                    
                                                Presenter:  Adia Askew, MSW

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM               Afternoon Break
                                                Musical Entertainment -- Artists: Caritas Hospice Singers

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM               Panel Discussion --
                                                   Moderator:                 Mark Shelley, PhD
                                                 

3:30 PM                              Closure of Program
                                             Certificates of Attendance

*** 3:45 PM   CPCC Business Meeting & Election of Officers (Members only -- at Ramada)

CONTINUING EDUCATION: The Southwest Health Professions Education Center, Inc. (SEC) certifies this program for 6 contact hours.  A certificate of attendance will be awarded. 

[ CME ]  --  The VA Employee Education System is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.  The VA Employee Education System designates this educational activity for a maximum of 6 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) ^TM.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

[ CNE ]  --  The Southwest Health Professions Education Center, Inc. (SEC) is a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, provider # CEP 11270.  This program is approved for 6 contact hours.

[ APA ] -- The Southwest Health Professions Education Center, Inc. (SEC) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. SEC maintains responsibility for the program and its content.  This program provides 6 CE credits.

[ ASWB ] -- VA Employee Education System, Provider Number 1040, is approved as a provider for continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards 400 South Ridge Parkway, Suite B, Culpeper, VA 22701. www.aswb.org. ASWB Approval Period: 4/7/07 - 4/1/10. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval. Social workers will receive 6 continuing education clock hours in participating in this course.

[ NBCC ] – The VA Employee Education System is approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) to offer continuing education accreditation for National Certified and Licensed Counselors.  We adhere to NBCC Continuing Education Guidelines.  This program is approved for 6 contact hours.  Provider #5927.