Panel addresses most pressing questions about medical assistance in dying at public forum

With the much-debated assisted-dying bill C-14 now law, Western University is inviting community members to attend a lecture and panel discussion which will address the ethical, legal and health care outcomes of the new law.

The two-part event will begin with a lecture from Western alumnus Dr. Jeff Blackmer, Vice President of Medical Professionalism for the Canadian Medical Association, who is leading the way through the legislation. An expert panel will participate in a moderated discussion led by Carly Weeks, health journalist with The Globe and Mail.

“We feel as a medical school it is important to help answer some of the most pressing questions about bill C-14 and medical assistance in dying,” said Dr. Michael J. Strong, Dean, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. “We hope to continue the dialogue to help bring some clarity around this topic for the community.”

The event is co-hosted by the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and the Faculty of Law at Western. Erika Chamberlain, Associate Dean (Academic), Faculty of Law says this bill is one of the most critical medico-legal issues on the Canadian landscape at the moment. “This issue cannot be fully understood through any one disciplinary lens. While the medical and legal perspectives are critical, the ethical and spiritual dimensions combine to make this a very human concern,” she said.

Media is invited to attend the event, and will have an opportunity to interview Dr. Blackmer, Dr. Strong, audience experts, panellists and participants following the discussion.

 

Panellists include:

Dr. Valerie Schulz, Professor and Director, Palliative Medicine, Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, Western University;

Reverend Michael Bechard, Director, Campus Ministry, King’s University College;

Robert Solomon, LLB, LLM, Distinguished University Professor, Faculty of Law, Western University;

Ingrid Mattson, PhD, London and Windsor Community Chair in Islamic Studies, Faculty of Theology, Huron University College.

 

Friday, September 30, 2016
2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Wolf Performance Hall, Central Library, 251 Dundas St., London, ON
To register visit: www.schulich.uwo.ca/reunionweekend/medical_assistance_in_dying.html

Registration closes Friday, September 23

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Crystal Mackay, Media Relations Officer, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, t. 519.661.2111 ext. 80387, c.519.933.5944, crystal.mackay@schulich.uwo.ca @CrystalMackay