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COMMISSION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Commission Final Report
Members of the Commission
Organizations of Commission members
THE MINNESOTA COMMISSION ON END OF LIFE CARE FINAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Forward by Commissione
- r Jan Malcolm
- Executive Summary
- Minnesota Commission on End of Life Care: Background, Statistics and History
GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR END OF LIFE CARE
INTRODUCTION TO THE RECOMMENDATION SECTIONS
ACCESS TO END OF LIFE CARE AND SERVICES RECOMMENDATIONS
- Accessing End of Life Care and Services: Pediatrics
- Accessing End of Life Care and Services: Rural Access
- Accessing End of Life Care and Services: Minority and Immigrant Populations
END OF LIFE EDUCATION RECOMMENDATIONS
END OF LIFE CARE PUBLIC POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
- End of Life Care Public Policy: Residential End of Life Services
- End of Life Care Public Policy: Out-of-Hospital End of Life Care by Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
- End of Life Care Public Policy: End of Life Care Decision-Making for Persons Without Designated Decision-Makers – Adult Orphans
LOOKING AHEAD
REFERENCES AND RESOURCES
Appendix 1: The Commission on End of Life Care Organizations and Members
Appendix 2: Other Issues
Appendix 3: Acknowledgements – Assistance and Input
Appendix 4: Letter to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
Appendix 5: Patterns and Trends in Dying in Minnesota
Members of the Commission
Dianne Bartels
Catherine Blaeser
Sally Buck
Kathleen Cota
Rabbi Barry Cytron
John Diehl
Lillian Eid
Karen Gervais
Elinor Hands
Mary Hedges
Joanne Hilden, MD
Mark Leenay, MD
Angie Smith Lillehei
Steven Lund
Commissioner Jan Malcolm
Theresa McManaman
Jeanette Metz
Linda Norlander
Margaret Owens
Paul Quie, MD
Ed Ratner, MD
Rep. Michelle Rifenberg
Lisa Solterman
MaryAnn Stump
Andrew Tumberg
Okokon Udo
Don Westergard
Ben Wolfe
Becky Woll
Barry Baines
Barry K. Baines, MD is the Associate Medical Director
for Centralized Patient Care Services and Care Improvement for the
HealthPartners Medical Group and Clinics. Barry is a Board Certified
Family Physician who currently serves as Medical Director for
HealthPartners Hospice of the Lakes. He received his MD degree from
Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1975 and is additionally
certified as a trainer for the American Medical Association’s
"Education for Physicians on End-of-Life Care Project." Within
the community, he currently serves as chair of the Twin Cities Jewish
Healing Program. Barry has made presentations at national and regional
conferences on the topics of end-of-life care, ethical wills, bereavement
care, geriatric care, and the use of tele-medicine in home health and
palliative care. He recently co-authored an article on pain and suffering
that will be published in the American Journal of Hospice and
Palliative Care in the fall of 2000.
Representing: MN Partnership to Improve End of Life Care
HealthPartners
8100 – 34th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55440-1309
E-mail Barry Baines
Dianne Bartels
Dianne Bartels is Associate Director of the Center for Bioethics at the
University of Minnesota. She graduated from St. Mary’s School of Nursing
in Minneapolis and Marycrest College in Iowa. She has a master’s degree
from the University of Washington and has done post-graduate work in
biomedical ethics at the Kennedy Institute for Ethics, Georgetown
University. She has extensive experience in nursing and biomedical ethics.
Her most recent publications include articles on genetic counseling
published in the American Journal of Medical Genetics, and the American
Journal of Medical Genetics.
Representing: University of Minnesota Center for Bioethics
410 Church Street South East
504 Boynton
Minneapolis, MN 55455
E-mail Dianne Bartels
Catherine Blaeser
Catherine Blaeser has served as the Director of Government Affair of
the Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life and as a consultant on health
care rationing and end-of-life issues. She is a former Congressional
lobbyist on health care rationing issues for the National Right to Life
Committee in Washington, DC where she was the liaison to Senate and House
offices regarding proposed legislation to restructure health care. She has
also worked extensively with state right-to-life organizations to evaluate
their health reform legislation in regard to rationing and euthanasia.
Catherine has over a decade of experience in the administrative side of
health care. She has broad experience in state political campaigns,
particularly with right-to-life and health care publications. She has made
presentations at area conferences and has been heard on radio stations
around the nation. She has a master’s degree in international management
from the American Graduate School of International Management in Glendale,
AZ.
Representing: Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life
17247 Idlewood Way
Lakeville, MN 55044
E-mail Catherine Blaeser
Sally Buck
Sally Buck is Deputy Director at the Minnesota Center for Rural
Health. The Center is a non-profit, statewide organization created to
support local health services and provide resources for rural and
underserved communities in Minnesota. In this position, Sally oversees the
Center’s recruitment and community development programs. She provides
rural communities with placement and retention assistance, conducts
community health surveys, and leads presentations to primary care
physicians and students on the benefits of rural and underserved practice
opportunities. Annually she implements the statewide physician and
mid-level practitioner demand assessment. Sally also serves as a liaison
to the Office of Rural Health and Primary Care and represents the Center
on affiliated rural health committees and boards. Sally’s prior
experience involved directing worksite wellness programs and coordinating
hospital-based community health education. Her background includes
strategic planning, marketing, writing and conducting needs assessments.
Sally received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Science and
Education from the University of Michigan.
Representing: Minnesota Center for Rural Health
600 East Superior Street
Suite 404
Duluth, MN 55802
E-mail Sally Buck
Kathleen Cota
Kathleen Cota is the Assistant Director of the Purchasing and Service
Delivery Division of the Minnesota Department of Human Services Health
Care Administration where she has worked for the last thirteen years.
Currently she manages the contracting processes for various managed care
and fee-for-service programs, including Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare,
and General Assistance Medical Care. Kathleen has spent her entire career
in health care, working as a registered nurse and as Director of a large
urban home care agency. Since graduation from law school and admission to
the bar, she has worked in various legal and leadership capacities in the
health care field including those dealing with end-of-life care.
Representing: Minnesota Department of Human Services
444 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155-3853
E-mail Kathleen Cota
Barry Cytron
Barry D. Cytron, Associate Professor of Theology, holds the Jay
Phillips Chair in Jewish Studies and directs its Center for
Jewish-Christian Learning, a partnership of Saint John’s University and
the University of St. Thomas. From 1972 until he assumed his current post
in 1996, he served as a congregational rabbi, first at Tifereth Israel
Synagogue in Des Moines, Iowa (1972-1983) and then with Adath Jeshurun
Congregation in Minneapolis, Minnesota (1983-1996). Rabbi Cytron received
his B.S. and M.A. degrees from Columbia University, ordination from the
Jewish Theological Seminary of America, and a Ph.D. from Iowa State
University. In 1996, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from his
rabbinic alma mater. Active in both communal and interfaith activities, he
serves on the National Council of Synagogues and participates in its
regular consultations with the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. He
has delivered papers twice at the National Workshop on Jewish-Christian
Relations (Boston, 1985 and Minneapolis, 1991) and at the Lilly/ADL
Interfaith Symposium at Indiana University. Locally, he is a member of the
Bio-ethics Committee of Methodist Hospital and the advisory committee of
the Center for Bio-Ethics at the University of Minnesota. A regular
contributor to the commentary section of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, he
is co-author, with Earl Schwartz, of two books published by United
Synagogue of Conservative Judaism: When Life is in the Balance: Life and
Death Decisions in Light of the Jewish Tradition (1986; 2nd
ed., 1994) and Who Renews Creation (1995). In 1989, his retelling of the
disastrous fire at the famed Seminary library, published as Fire! The
Library is Burning [Lerner Books] was cited as one of the best children’s
books of the year. In 1993, he and his wife collaborated in writing a
young person’s biography, Myriam Mendilow: Mother of Jerusalem, [Lerner
Books] that tells the story of the founder of Israel’s renowned
"Lifeline for the Aged." He is now completing Whose death is
it, anyway? to be published in the Lerner Books Pro/Con series. It
explores ethical questions at the end of life.
Representing: Jay Phillips Center for Jewish-Christian Learning
University of St. Thomas
2115 Summit Avenue
Mail #SOD
St. Paul, MN 55105
E-mail Barry Cytron
John Diehl
John Diehl is a partner in the law firm of Larkin, Hoffman, Daly and
Lindgren. He received his undergraduate degree and JD from the University
of Iowa. He has had extensive practice experience in health law including
representation of hospitals, nursing homes, physicians and delivery
systems. He is the chair of the Minnesota Bar Association Health Law
Section and of the Board of Directors of Gillette Children’s Specialty
Healthcare. In addition he serves on the Boards of the Minnesota Hospital
and Healthcare Partnership, Minnesota Workers Compensation Insurer
Association, the Grotto Foundation and Model Cities. His is a faculty
member at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Independent
Study Program and William Mitchell College of Law. In thirty-one years of
practice, he has presented over eighty lectures, papers and articles on
legal and related topics.
Representing: Minnesota State Bar Association
1500 Norwest Financial Building
7900 Xerxes
Bloomington, MN 55431
E-mail John Diehl
Lillian Eid
Lillian Eid has undergraduate degrees in math and psychology, dental
hygiene and political science from the University of Minnesota and
Moorhead State University. She earned a master’s degree in political
science from the University of North Dakota. Her work experience includes
teaching political science at the University of Minnesota, Crookston, and
working with her dentist husband until his death in 1987. She currently
serves on the Fertile City Council, and is a board member of the Agassig
Environmental Learning Center. In addition, she is State Coordinator for
Grief and Loss Programs for AARP. Libby has extensive personal experience
in caring for people who are dying.
Representing: AARP
407 Lincoln North East 596
Fertile, MN 56540
E-mail Libby Eid
Karen Gervais
Karen Gervais, PhD, is the Director of the Minnesota Center for Health
Care Ethics. She received her BA from Oberlin College and her PhD from the
University of Minnesota in philosophy. She has been Coordinator of the
Minnesota Network for Institutional Ethics Committees and Center Associate
of the Center for Biomedical Ethics at the University of Minnesota. Karen
has held a wide variety of visiting professorships and has written and
lectured extensively on death and dying, advance directives, health care
reform and resource allocation. In 1987, she published Redefining Death
and was a co-author of the Use of Human Fetal Tissue: Scientific,
Ethical and Policy Concerns in 1990. A book she co-edited, Ethical
Challenges in Managed Care: A Casebook, was also published in
January 1990.
Representing: Minnesota Center for Health Care Ethics
601 - 25th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55454
E-mail Karen Gervias
Elinor Hands
Elinor (Ellie) Hands has been Executive Director of Minnesota Hospice
Organization (MHO) since January 1999. She has over 15 years experience in
nonprofit management with extensive work in patient advocacy. Prior to
joining MHO she was a Regional Director for the Brain Injury Association,
Inc. She has a special interest in public policy and developed and
implemented a major advocacy agenda for the Brain Injury Association of
Minnesota, shepherding four legislative initiatives to passage in the
state legislature.
Representing: Minnesota Hospice Organization
1600 University Avenue West
Suite 300
St. Paul, MN 55104
E-mail Ellie Hands
Mary Hedges
Mary Hedges is the Executive Director of the Minnesota Emergency
Services Regulatory Board.
Representing: EMSRB
2829 University Avenue Southeast, Suite 310
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414-3222
(612) 627-6000
E-mail Mary Hedges
Joanne Hilden
Joanne Hilden, MD is the Director of Oncology Research at Children’s
Hospitals and Clinics – St. Paul Department of Pediatric Oncology. Dr.
Hilden cares for children with cancer in this practice. At Children’s,
she serves on the Hospice Advisory Board as well. She is the co-chair and
founder of the Children’s Oncology Group Task Force on End-of-Life Care.
Joanne has been teaching medical trainees about end of life care and the
delivery of bad news for many years. She is certified as a trainer for the
American Medical Association’s "Education for Physicians on End of
Life Care Project" and had the opportunity to provide the pediatric
language for this curriculum. She served on the American Society of
Clinical Oncology Subcommittee on Cancer Care at the End of Life, which
published the position statement entitled, "Cancer Care During the
Last Phase of Life". Dr. Hilden was recently appointed by the
Institute of Medicine’s National Cancer Policy Board to write the
pediatric chapter of their end of life care oncology white paper.
Commission Pediatric Consultant
St. Paul Children's
345 North Smith Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55102
E-mail Joanne Hilden
Mark Leenay
Mark Leenay, MD, is a Board-Certified Family Physician, Geriatrician,
and Palliative Medicine Specialist. He currently serves as a Medical
Director for Fairview Hospice and is Director of Palliative Medicine for
Fairview Health Services. Mark is also Medical Director for three nursing
homes, and is President of the Minnesota Medical Directors Association. He
received a master's degree in psychology from the University of
Pennsylvania and a medical degree from Jefferson Medical College. He
currently practices the full range of family medicine in Princeton,
Minnesota.
Representing: Minnesota Medical Association
Fairview Health Services
2450 Riverside Avenue
6A West
Minneapolis, MN 55454
E-mail Mark Leenay
Angie Smith Lillehei
Angie Smith Lillehei is a nurse with a master’s degree in public
health. She has professional experience working with dying children. She
currently serves on the Board of Deva House.
Representing: Deva House
2820 Benton Boulevard
Minneapolis, MN 55416
E-mail Angie Lillehei
Steven Lund
Steven Lund is the Executive Director of the Minnesota HomeCare
Association. He has 17 years of experience including work with the
Minnesota Employers Association, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, and US
Chamber of Commerce. He has served on the Governor’s Health Care
Commission, the Governor’s Workforce Development Council, and the
Governor’s State Vocational Education Council. He has also been on a
number of advisory committees for Minnesota Departments of Health, Human
Services, Labor, Economic Security, and Education. Steven graduated from
Winona State University.
Representing: Minnesota Homecare Association
1711 West County Road B
Suite 2115
St. Paul, MN 55113
E-mail Steven Lund
Jan Malcolm
Jan Malcolm is the Minnesota Commissioner of Health. She was appointed
by Governor Jesse Ventura in 1999. Prior to being appointed Commissioner,
Jan was Vice President for Public Affairs at Allina Health System. She has
held a variety of senior administrative positions in several health care
organizations including HealthPartners, PARTNERS National Health Plans of
Dallas, Texas and MedCenters Health Plan. In her prior positions in the
private sector, she was responsible for health policy analysis, government
relations, government programs and public relations. Jan currently serves
on the board of the United Way of Minneapolis and the Minnesota
Partnership for Action Against Tobacco. She earned her bachelor’s degree
in philosophy and psychology from Dartmouth College.
Representing: Department of Health
85 East 7th Place
Suite 400
PO Box 64882
St. Paul, MN 55164-0882
E-mail Jan Malcolm
Theresa McManaman
Theresa McManaman is the Vice President of Health Services for Medica
Health Plans. She is a registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree in
health care administration from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA
from UCLA. Her experience encompasses senior management positions in a
variety of health care systems including PacifiCare Health Systems in
California and Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania. She has expertise
in managing a regulatory environment and in developing quality improvement
standards.
Commission Consultant
Medica
5601 Smetana Drive
Minnetonka, MN 55343
E-mail Theresa McManaman
Jeanette Metz
Currently serves as the co-chair of the Minnesota Board on Aging
Public Policy Committee. She recently retired from Wilder and now is a
member of the board of the Minnesota Gerontological Society. In addition,
she has been active in numerous committees and professional organizations
promoting the development and delivery of quality long-term care services.
Representing: Minnesota Board on Aging
1601 Bluebird Lane
Mound, MN 55364
Linda Norlander
Linda Norlander is Project Director for the Minnesota Partnership to
Improve End of Life Care. She completed her undergraduate and graduate
work at the University of Minnesota in nursing and public health. She has
held clinical and management positions in hospice and palliative care in a
variety of health care organizations including North Memorial, Allina and
HealthPartners. She recently worked as the Project Manager for the Allina
End of Life Project. The project developed an advance care planning model
called "The Kitchen Table Discussion." She also worked on a
project to assess and intervene with patient suffering. She has presented
regionally and nationally on the "Kitchen Table Discussion",
patient suffering and hospice team work. In addition to co-authoring "Improving
End of Life Care Within An Integrated Health Care System" for the
Medical Journal of Allina, she co-wrote Hospice Care: A Physician’s
Guide and Choosing Hospice: A Consumer’s Guide. In her free time, Linda
writes humor and fiction.
Minnesota Partnership to Improve End of Life Care Partnership Director/Project Director
1600 University Avenue West Suite 300
St. Paul, MN 55104
E-mail Linda Norlander
Margaret Owens
Margaret Owens is Senior Executive Director, Beverly Health Care, MN
and the Executive Director of Hillcrest Rehabilitation and Health Care
Center. She is a licensed long-term care administrator. She has received
the Beverly Enterprises Facility Award of Excellence (1993-1996) and the
American Health Care Association Quality Award of Excellence for Step I
and II. Margaret has a Master of Science Degree in Gerontology from the
University of Minnesota. She is the Region 6 Representative for Care
Providers.
Representing: Care Providers
Hillcrest Rehabilitation and Health Center
15409 Wayzata Boulevard
Wayzata, MN 55391-1402
E-mail Margaret Owens
Paul Quie
Paul Quie is Regent’s Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics for the
University of Minnesota Medical School. He is also Co-Director of the
International Medical Education and Research Program. He received his
undergraduate degree from St. Olaf College and his MD degree from Yale
University. He joined the faculty of the University of Minnesota
Pediatrics Department in 1958 and holds joint appointments in the
departments of Pediatrics, Laboratory Medicine-Pathology and Microbiology.
He was past President of the American Pediatric Society and the Infectious
Diseases Society of America. He currently serves on the Board of the
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. His laboratory research has
centered on host defenses against infectious diseases with emphasis on the
phagocytic system.
Representing: University of Minnesota
2154 Commonwealth Avenue
B685
St. Paul, MN 55108
E-mail Paul Quie
Edward Ratner
Edward Ratner is the Principal Investigator for the Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation Grant to the Minnesota Partnership to Improve End of
Life Care. He has been practicing internal medicine and geriatrics for the
past fifteen years. His received his undergraduate degree from Carlton
College and his medical degree from the University of Chicago. He is also
a graduate of the National Library of Medicine Medical Informatics
Fellowship Program. While Medical Director within the Allina health
system, he led an Institute for Health Care Improvement team on end-of
life-care focusing on advance care planning and bereavement. He is an
Assistant Professor in the University of Minnesota Medical School’s
Department of Family Practice and President-Elect of the American Academy
of Home Care Physicians.
Minnesota Partnership to Improve End of Life Care Principal Investigator
1600 University Avenue West Suite 300
St. Paul, MN 55104
E-mail Edward Ratner
Representative Michelle Rifenberg
Representative Rifenberg is the representative for district 32B in the
Minnesota House of Representatives. She is a republican who is
currently in her 2nd term of service. Rep. Rifenberg has a BS in
biology from Viterbo College. She serves on several committees in
the House including: Commerce, Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs,
Taxes and Transportation Policy.
Representing: Minnesota House of Representatives
423 State Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155
E-mail Michelle Rifenberg
Lisa Soltermann
Lisa graduated with a bachelor of science degree in human
relationships from the University of Minnesota in 1992 soon after coming
to the Minnesota AIDS Project as an intake worker. She has worked as a
HIV/AIDS case manager at MAP for the past eight years. During that time
she has worked with more than thirty clients, their friends, partners and
families as they have faced the dying process. Newer MAP case managers,
who deal with end-of-life much less frequently now as HIV/AIDS prognoses
improve, rely on Lisa’s practical experience and emotional support.
Lisa's interest in working with death and dying preceded her employment at
MAP; she volunteered as a bereavement and home care volunteer through
Abbott Northwestern's Hospice program. Lisa is very near completion of a
master of social work degree from the College of St. Catherine where she
is specializing in grief and trauma issues both among clients and the
professionals who work with them.
Representing: Minnesota AIDS Project
1400 Park Avenue
Minnetonka, MN 55404
MaryAnn Stump
MaryAnn Stump, RN is Vice President of Strategic Innovation for Blue
Cross & Blue Shield of Minnesota. She is actively involved in
end of life care issues through collaboration with Fairview Health System
on several end of life initiatives. In addition, she serves on the
Board of Directors for Deva House, a pediatric center for children with
life-threatening conditions, and the Board of the Minnesota Partnership to
Improve End of Life Care.
Representing: Minnesota Council of Health Plans
Route R318
3400 Yankee Drive
Eagan, MN 55121-1627
E-mail MaryAnn Stump
Andrew Tumberg
Andrew Tumberg was born and raised on a farm in rural Minnesota. He
graduated from the New York Mills Public Schools in 1951 and has taken
coursework at the University of Minnesota, Concordia College Moorhead,
Bemidji State University, and Moorhead State University. From 1967 to 1997
he served as Administrator of the Elders Home at New York Mills,
Minnesota. Since his retirement he continues to be licensed as a Long-Term
Care Administrator and provides interim coverage when needed.
Representing: Minnesota Health and Housing Alliance
Rice Care Center
RR 2, Box 356
New York Mills, MN 56567
E-mail Okokon Udo
Okokon Udo
Okokon Udo is the Executive Director of the Center for Cross-Cultural
Health. Okokon has seven years experience working in chemical
dependency treatment programs in Nigeria and the US and seven years of
clinical pastoral and management experience in hospital settings.
Okokon is a pastor, a certified spiritual director, a certified HIV/AIDS
instructor, a retreat facilitator, a clinical member of the Association
for Clinical Pastoral Education and a Professional Life Coach. He
serves as an adjunct lecturer on cultural competency topics at the
Northwestern Health Science University, the Institute for Executive
Director Development and the Graduate School of Management of the
University of St. Thomas, and the Medical School of the University of
Minnesota. He is a member of the American Society for Training and
Development, presents workshops and seminars and consults internationally
on issues related to cultural competency, diversity, leadership,
organizational change and spirituality. Okokon has undergraduate and
graduate degrees in theology and is a PhD candidate at Luther Seminary in
St. Paul, Minnesota. He is married to Umo and has a son and two
daughters.
Representing: Center for Cross-Cultural Health
Suite 100B
1313 S.E. 5th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Don Westergard
Don Westergard is Employment/Access Specialist and Deputy Director
with the Minnesota State Council on Disability. Prior to his recent return
to Minnesota to begin this position he was the Executive Director of the
Iowa Commission of Persons with Disabilities and the Director for the Farm
Family Rehabilitation Management Program with the Easter Seal Society of
Iowa. In addition, Don directed the Iowa Client Assistance Program where
he advocated for persons with disabilities and mediated solutions to
disputes between individuals and service providers. He is recognized as a
leading authority on the Americans with Disabilities Act and has conducted
numerous workshops nationwide on the major titles of the Act.
Representing: Minnesota Council on Disabilities
121 East 7th Place
Suite 107
St. Paul, MN 55101
E-mail Don Westergard
Ben Wolfe
Ben Wolfe, M. ED., Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker is
founder and Program Director of St. Mary’s Medical Center’s Grief
Support Center in Duluth. He is a nationally certified Death Educator and
Grief Counselor, does individual and family counseling and facilitates
grief support groups for youngsters 5-17 years of age and for senior
citizens. He has published numerous articles and chapters in bereavement
books, journals and newsletters. He serves as a member of several boards,
is Chair of the Minnesota Coalition for Death Education and Support and is
a Past-President of the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC.)
In addition Ben served on the Minnesota Task Force for Infant Death
Investigation Guidelines and as Clinical Director of the Northeastern
Minnesota Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team. He received the 1999
"Friend of School Social Workers" Award from the MN School of
Social Workers Association and was the Arrowhead Regions MADD Red Ribbon
Campaign 1999 Honorary Spokesperson. Ben has presented over 1,400
workshops, training programs and keynote addresses at the local, state,
national and international levels. He also loves to bake bread (the old
way…by hand)!
Representing: Minnesota Coalition for Death Education and Support
St. Mary's Grief Support Center
407 East 3rd Street
Duluth, MN 55805
E-mail Ben Wolfe
Becky Woll
Becky Woll, MA, is the Manager of North Hospice, a service of North
Memorial Health Care. She has fifteen years experience in hospice and
holds a masters degree in organizational leadership from the College of
St. Catherine, St. Paul. Becky’s thesis dealt with ethical issues in
managed care organizations. She has completed additional graduate work in
health care administration from the University of St. Thomas. Becky has
been active in the Minnesota Hospice Organization, serving for four years
on the Board of Directors as its Legislative Chair. She is a member of the
Bioethics Committee at North Memorial Medical Center and is a member of
the Professional Advisory Board on Continuing Care for HealthPartners.
Representing: Minnesota Hospital and Healthcare Partnership
North Memorial Hospice
3500 France Avenue North
Robbinsdale, MN 55422
E-mail Becky Woll
Organizations of Commission members
AARP
AARP is a nonprofit association dedicated to shaping and enriching the experience of aging for their members and for all Americans.
Lillian Eid will represent the AARP on the Commission on End of Life Care.
CareProviders of Minnesota
CareProviders is a partner organization for long-term care providers designed to support them in providing highest quality care to their customers.
Margaret Owens, MS, will represent CareProviders of Minnesota on the Commission on End of Life Care.
Consultant
Theresa McManaman will provide content and quality improvement expertise.
Déva House
The mission of Déva House is to support children with life-threatening illness and their families by conducting programs of care, support, education and research.
Angie Smith Lillehei, RN MPH, will represent Déva House on the Commission on End of Life Care.
Jay Phillips Center for Jewish-Christian Learning
The Jay Phillips Center for Jewish-Christian Learning is a partnership between two educational institutions that promotes interfaith understanding and cooperation.
Rabbi Barry Cytron will represent the Jay Phillips Center for Jewish-Christian Learning on the Commission on End of Life Care.
Minnesota AIDS Project
The Minnesota AIDS Project leads the fight against HIV and AIDS in Minnesota through compassionate services, prevention education and advocacy at all levels.
Lisa Solterman will represent the Minnesota AIDS Project on the Commission on End of Life Care.
Minnesota Board on Aging
The Minnesota Board on Aging is a conduit for seniors and their families to access a variety of services.
Jeanette Metz will represent the Minnesota Board on Aging on the Commission on End of Life Care.
Minnesota Center for Health Care Ethics
The Minnesota Center for Health Care Ethics promotes ethically informed health care decision making through education, decision making assistance and scholarly contribution to the field of health care ethics and policy.
Karen Gervais, PhD, will represent the Minnesota Center for Health Care Ethics on the Commission on End of Life Care.
Minnesota Center for Rural Health
The Minnesota Center for Rural Health ensures access to health care for rural and underserved citizens, recruits health care personnel in rural communities and assists and supports rural communities with a variety of strategies and projects.
Sally Buck will represent the Minnesota Center for Rural Health on the Commission on End of Life Care.
Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life
Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life is an advocacy group that protects the human right to life through member education and by keeping the public and lawmakers informed on critical life issues.
Catherine Blaeser will represent Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life on the Commission on End of Life Care.
Minnesota Coalition for Death Education and Support
The Minnesota Coalition for Death Education and Support promotes and provides education, networking opportunities and support to persons involved with care for those confronting death and their families, friends and bereaved.
Ben Wolfe, Med LICSW, will represent the Minnesota Coalition for Death Education and Support on the Commission on End of Life Care.
Minnesota Council of Health Plans
The Minnesota Council of Health Plans is an association of nonprofit, Minnesota-based health plan companies who are dedicated to information dissemination and to improving health care access, quality and affordability.
MaryAnne Stump will represent the Minnesota Council of Health Plans on the Commission on End of Life Care.
Minnesota Department of Health
Commissioner Jan Malcolm will serve as co-chair on the Commission on End of Life Care while representing the Minnesota Department of Health.
Minnesota Department of Human Services
The Minnesota Department of Human Services provides health care, economic assistance and social services for people who do not have the resources to meet their basic needs.
Kathleen Cota will represent the Minnesota Department of Human Services on the Commission on End of Life Care.
Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board
The Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board provides leadership which optimizes the quality of emergency medical care for the people of Minnesota.
Chief David Huisenga will represent the Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board on the Commission on End of Life Care.
Minnesota Health & Housing Alliance
The Minnesota Health & Housing Alliance is comprised of members who provide a complete continuum of services for older adults. They are dedicated to promoting their interests through leadership, advocacy, networking and education and to helping people live as independently as possible through a variety of services.
Andrew Tumberg will represent the Minnesota Health & Housing Alliance on the Commission on End of Life Care.
Minnesota HomeCare Association
The Minnesota HomeCare Association consists of a diverse consortium of providers who work to promote quality care in a variety of living environments and facilitate community awareness.
Steve Lund will represent the Minnesota HomeCare Association on the Commission on End of Life Care.
Minnesota Hospice Organization
The Minnesota Hospice Organization's mission is to promote quality care for people who are dying and their families.
Elinor Hands will represent the Minnesota Hospice Organization on the Commission on End of Life Care.
Minnesota Hospital and Healthcare Partnership
The Minnesota Hospital and Healthcare Partnership is a trade organization represeting Minnesota's hospitals and health systems.
Elizabeth Woll will represent the Minnesota Hospital and Healthcare Partnership on the Commission on End of Life Care.
Minnesota House of Representatives
Representative Michelle Rifenberg will represent the Minnesota House of Representatives on the Commission on End of Life Care.
Minnesota Medical Association
The Minnesota Medical Association is dedicated to developing and maintaining an environment in which physicians are able to deliver appropriate patient care and promote public health.
Mark Leenay, MD, will represent the Minnesota Medical Association on the Commission on End of Life Care
Minnesota Partnership to Improve End of Life Care
The Minnesota Partnership to Improve End of Life Care is a partnership of health care providers committed to improving end of life care in Minnesota.
Barry Baines, MD will serve as co-chair on the Commission on End of Life Care while representing the Minnesota Partnership to Improve End of Life Care.
Minnesota Senate
The representative from the Minnesota Senate to the Commission on End of Life Care is to be announced.
Minnesota State Bar Association
The Minnesota State Bar Association works to aid the courts in administering justice, conducts programs of continuing legal education and applies the experience and knowledge of the legal profession to the public good.
John Diehl will represent the Minnesota State Bar Association on the Commission on End of Life Care.
Minnesota State Council on Disability
The Minnesota State Council on Disability works to expand opportunities for all persons with disabilities and to advocate for policies and programs which will promote their independence and participation in society.
Don Westergard will represent the Minnesota Council on Disability on the Commission on End of Life Care.
Pediatric Consultant
Joanne Hilden, MD will provide content information on pediatric end of life care.
University of Minnesota Academic Health Center
The Academic Health Center at the University of Minnesota strives to be a leader in the ethical, innovative and efficient discovery and dissemination of knowledge to enhance the health and well-being of Minnesotans.
Paul Quie, MD will represent the University of Minnesota Academic Health Center on the Commission on End of Life Care.
University of Minnesota Center for Bioethics
The University of Minnesota Center for Bioethics’ mission is to advance and disseminate knowledge concerning ethical issues and the life sciences.
Dianne Bartels, RN MA will represent the University of Minnesota Center for Bioethics on the Commission on End of Life Care.
Commission Minutes
Minutes
Meeting #1 - Minutes from the May 9th, 2000 meeting can be found here.
Meeting #2 - Minutes from the September 12th, 2000 meeting can be found here.
Meeting #3 - Minutes from the November 14th, 2000 meeting can be found here.
Access Sub-Committee Minutes from December 13th, 2000
Standards Sub-Committee Minutes from December 14th, 2000
Education Sub-Committee Minutes from December 15th, 2000
Public Policy Sub-Committee Minutes from December 15th, 2000
Meeting #4 - Minutes from the January 9th, 2001 meeting can be found here.
Meeting #5 - Minutes from the March 13th, 2001 meeting can be found here.
Meeting #6 - Minutes from the May 15th, 2001 meeting can be found here.
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