(FERGUS FALLS, Minn.) – Lake Region Healthcare invites the public to hear Deborah Laxson, the founder of the Health Care Agent Literacy Project and author of the award winning book The Gray Zone: When Life Supports No Longer Supports Life.
She will be speaking at two free public sessions at the YMCA Community Room in Fergus Falls on November 14th and 15th. She’ll also offer a special program for physicians & providers with CME’s on the 15th and another session for nurses and social workers with CEU’s later the same day.
Deborah’s mission is to help educate about the sometimes overlooked but very important role of the health care agent (i.e. the person who would speak for you if medically you were unable to speak for yourself). In her own experience, Ms. Laxson learned how different the roles of wife and health care agent are from each other. Because she is non-medically trained, she provides a perspective to those in the medical field regarding how information can be more clearly communicated.
“With the Thanksgiving holiday coming, this could be an opportune time for families to come together and discuss who would best serve as your health care agent/s, and to dialogue about what quality of life means to you and your wishes for end of life care,” said LRH Chaplain, Deb Forstner. “Through funding from the Lake Region Foundation, we are so fortunate to have Ms. Laxson coming to Fergus Falls and our hope is that as many people as possible come out to hear and be inspired by her message,” she said.
There will be a total of four sessions during Laxson’s visit.
- Public Session Monday, November 14th 7pm at YMCA
- Public Session Tuesday November 15th 9am at YMCA
- Physician/Provider Session with CME's Tuesday November 15th Noon at LRH
- Nurse/Social Worker Session with CEU's Tuesday November 15th 3:30 at LRH
The sessions are free and open to the public. More information is available on the Education & Events link at www.lrhc.org or by calling Chaplain Deb Forstner at 218.736.8077.
About Lake Region Healthcare
Lake Region Healthcare is living out its vision to be Minnesota's preeminent regional healthcare partner. With over 80 Medical Staff and over 900 employees, its team is dedicated to serving its patients and community with integrity, teamwork, compassion and excellence. For more information about Lake Region Healthcare, visit www.lrhc.org.
# # #
Attached Photo: Deborah Laxson