Dying in the Modern Age: Ethics, Systems, and the Human Experience
8:30 am Registration/Continental Breakfast
9:00 am How We Die Now: Facing the New Normal Together
Tanisha Bowman, MSW, LSW, APHSW-C, NEDA Proficient
Hospice Social Worker, Concordia of Washington
Deathwalker
Abstract: Across America, the experience of dying has changed. These changes are being shaped by economic strain, fragmented systems, and shifting cultural expectations. People and their care circles are making end-of-life decisions in an environment where support and care can be costly, complex, and hard to find. This talk invites clinicians to pause and consider what “the new normal” means for the people they serve. Together, we’ll explore how financial, emotional, and systemic realities influence the choices families make, and how clinicians can respond with awareness, empathy, and integrity to help patients and caregivers navigate dying with dignity.
10:25 am Break
10:35 am Navigating the Uncertain Journey
Donna D. Durant, DNP, MSN, APRN-FNP
Expert Nurse Practitioner
UPP/UPMC Division of Palliative and Supportive Care and Medical Ethics
Abstract: As the U.S. population ages, serious illness and end-of-life care present growing ethical challenges around autonomy, decision-making, and caregiver burden. While some patients benefit from whole-person, values-based care, others experience fragmented systems that shift control away from patients and families—particularly during transitions of care. This case-based presentation draws from a large, ongoing multi-center ICU study on early palliative care integration. It follows one patient in the control group who requested palliative consultation and was longitudinally supported through multiple hospitalizations, with strong family advocacy, until hospice care at the end of life. The case highlights ethical tensions in care transitions, communication breakdowns, and system-level barriers, while underscoring the importance of early palliative engagement, goal-concordant care, and consistent communication with patients and caregivers.
12:00 pm LUNCH
1:00 pm A New Frontier in Palliative Care:
Ethical, Legal, and Clinical Perspectives on Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy
Kathryn L. Tucker, JD
Special Advocacy Advisory, The National Psychedelics Association
Founding Board Member, The Psychedelic Bar Association
End of Life Liberty Advocate
Abstract: As palliative care evolves to better address psychological and existential suffering, psilocybin-assisted therapy is emerging as a promising innovation. Early studies suggest the potential for rapid and sustained reductions in anxiety and depression at the end of life. At the same time, its use raises important clinical, ethical, and legal considerations. This presentation will provide an overview of the current evidence and regulatory landscape while exploring key questions related to patient autonomy, access, and compliance with evolving laws and policies. Together, these perspectives highlight how psilocybin-assisted therapy may help fill a critical gap in the palliative care toolkit while navigating the complexities of responsible implementation.
2:10 pm Ethical Considerations in Using AI in Advance Care Planning Discussions
Rebekah Apple, MA, DHSc
Director, Master of Medical Management Program
Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy
Carnegie Mellon University
Abstract: As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into healthcare, its use in sensitive conversations—particularly advance care planning—raises complex ethical questions. These discussions are grounded in trust, empathy, and deeply human engagement around values, goals, and uncertainty. The introduction of AI into this space prompts a critical tension: how can technology support these conversations without compromising what matters most? This presentation explores the intersection of AI and patient-centered decision-making at the end of life, with particular attention to autonomy, informed consent, bias, transparency, and trust. We will discuss how AI tools may both enhance and inadvertently undermine the relational and values-driven nature of advance care planning, including risks of depersonalization and overreliance on algorithmic guidance.
3:30 pm Adjournment