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10/06/2016: “The Ritualization of Death: The Journey from the Living-living to the Living Dead in African Religions”

Herbert Moyo

Director of the Practical Theology Programme, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Thursday, October 6, 7:00 p.m.
Sussman Theater, Olmsted Center, Drake University
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Dr. Herbert Moyo’s talk will address Ndebele theologies and rituals of death and dying, especially as these involve ongoing relationships with the ancestors. Moyo will focus on the ways in which the modern medicalization of life and death offer challenges to these traditional philosophies and practices.
Dr. Moyo teaches practical theology, religion and governance, and church leadership in the School of Religion, Philosophy, and Classics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Moyo’s research focuses on church and state relations in Africa, the relationship between traditional African religions and the Christian church, and coping with death and dying in Africa.
Response by Willy Mafuta, United Methodist minister and adjunct professor of religion
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09/16/2016: “A Time to Be Born, and a Time to Die” (Ecclesiastes 3:2): A Jewish View of the Modern Medical Complexities of Dying

Elliot Dorff

Elliot Dorff Rector 2011

Rector and Sol & Ann Dorff Distinguished Service Professor in Philosophy, American Jewish University
Thursday, September 15, 7:00 p.m.
Sussman Theater, Olmsted Center
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Dorff will be discussing how the medical and social features of contemporary societies make treating the dying much more morally fraught than it was in the past, and, given that, what the Jewish tradition can advise us on how to treat the dying not simply as patients, but as people worthy of respect.

Elliot Dorff is Rector and Distinguished Service Professor at American Jewish University and Visiting Professor at UCLA School of Law. He served on three federal commissions on matters of health care and now serves on a commissions on matters of health care and now serves on a commission for the State of California. He is the author of Matters of Life and Death: A Jewish Approach to Modern Medical Ethics.

To listen to the lecture:

[sc_embed_player_template1 fileurl=”http://comparisonproject.wp.drake.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/92/2016/09/Dorff_lecture_default.mp3″]

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Embrace Aging: Aging and the Law

Denise HillhillDenise2

Director of Health Law Programs, Drake University Law School

Tuesday, June 21, 7:00 p.m.
Sussman Theater, Olmsted Center, Drake University
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Hill’s innovative use of health law simulations, learning communities, and other active learning strategies have been recognized by her selection as the Faculty Member of the Year three times. Hill maintains a part-time legal practice to stay in touch with the practice of law.
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Moderator: Anthony Carroll, AARP Iowa lobbyist, attorney, and Associate State Director for Advocacy

Carroll has served Iowa AARP since October 2005. Before joining AARP, he was the Voter Outreach Coordinator and State Legislative Liaison for the Iowa Secretary of State’s office and has practiced health and labor law.

Continuing education credit is available for nurses and other healthcare professionals who attend this event. It is approved by Iowa Board of Nursing Provider #302, HCI Care Services for 0.15 CEUs or 1.5 contact hours of continuing education.
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Embrace Aging: Economic Security

DAVID STREGE16e2cd1

Managing Partner, Syverson & Strege Company

Tuesday, May 24, 7:00 p.m.
Sussman Theater, Olmsted Center, Drake University
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 A graduate of Drake University, Strege is an award-winning financial planning professional who exemplifies excellence and high standards in the field of financial planning and community service.
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Moderator: Mark Teigland, President and CEO, Calvin Community

Teigland’s healthcare management career began in 1987. He has been with Calvin Community since 2008 and has served as President and CEO since 2013. Mark is a licensed nursing home administrator, received his Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University, and his Law Degree from Drake University.

Video of the Lecture

Continuing education credit is available for nurses and other healthcare professionals who attend this event. It is approved by Iowa Board of Nursing Provider #302, HCI Care Services for 0.15 CEUs or 1.5 contact hours of continuing education.
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05/05/2015: The Ethical Engagement With the Medicalization of Death in the Catholic Tradition

Gerard Magillmagill%20photo
Vernon F. Gallagher Chair and Professor of Healthcare Ethics, Duquesne University
Thursday, May 5, 7:00 p.m.
Reading Room, Cowles Library
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To engage the medicalization of death & dying ethically, the Catholic Sacramental tradition provides the context for its Natural Law approach. This recognizes both dignity and futility in the dying process and uses double effect reasoning to resolve medicalization-related dilemmas. The presentation discusses a variety of scenarios in end-of-life care including PVS patients, maternal-fetal conflicts, and terminal sedation in palliative care (as a response to assisted suicide).

In 2007 Professor Gerard Magill was appointed as the the Vernon F. Gallagher Chair for the Integration of Science, Theology, Philosophy, and Law at Duquesne University. He is a tenured Professor in Duquesne University’s Center for Healthcare Ethics where he mentors students in its Master’s and Doctoral programs.

Video of the presentation

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Embrace Aging: Managing Chronic Diseases

Yogesh ShahDr.%20Y.%20Shah%202013

Geriatric Specialist, Des Moines University

Tuesday, April 26, 7:00 p.m.
Sussman Theater, Olmsted Center, Drake University
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Dr. Shah is a triple board-certified in family medicine and specializes in geriatrics, hospice, and palliative medicine. His primary interest is in early detection of memory problems and supporting families and patients with different forms and at different stages of dementias.
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Moderator: Connie Eastman, AARP Iowa Community Outreach Associate State Director
Connie coordinates AARP’s statewide community serve, advocacy, and educational activities and programs.

Continuing education credit is available for nurses and other healthcare professionals who attend this event. It is approved by Iowa Board of Nursing Provider #302, HCI Care Services for 0.15 CEUs or 1.5 contact hours of continuing education.

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04/14/2015: Secular Death

Amy Hollywoodhollywoodamy_0
Elizabeth H. Monrad Professor of Christian Studies, Harvard University
Thursday, April 14, 6:00 p.m.
Sussman Theater, Olmsted Center
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Amy Hollywood came to Harvard Divinity School after teaching at Rhodes College, Dartmouth College, and the University of Chicago. She is the author of The Soul as Virgin Wife: Mechthild of Magdeburg, Marguerite Porete, and Meister Eckhart, which received the Otto Grundler Prize for the best book in medieval studies from the International Congress of Medieval Studies.  Professor Hollywood is currently exploring the place of the mystical, often redescribed as enthusiasm, within modern philosophy, theology, and poetry.
Listen to the audio of the presentation below:

[sc_embed_player_template1 fileurl=”http://comparisonproject.wp.drake.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/92/2016/03/hollywood_lecture_default.mp3″]

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03/24/2015: Giving Back: Above + Beyond Cancer’s 2015 Trip to Nepal

Member of Above + Beyond Cancer’s 2015 mission trip to Kathmanduabc2
Dr. Richard Deming and Jake DeHaai
Thursday, March 24, 7:00 p.m.
Cowles Reading Room, Cowles Library, Drake University
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On September 9, 2015, 23 cancer survivors and caregivers travelled to Kathmandu, Nepal for a week-long medical mission trip as part of the Above + Beyond Cancer Foundation. While at Baktapur Cancer Hospital, they donated medical supplies, built a garden for patients, and shared stories of cancer journeys and surviorship with patients and doctors. During this lecture, Dr. Richard Deming and Jake DeHaai will talk about their experiences on the trip.

Dr. Richard Deming is medical director of Mercy Cancer Center in Des Moines. He is the founder and chairman of the Above + Beyond Cancer Foundation and the Dr. Richard Deming Foundation.

Jake DeHaai is from West Des Moines, Iowa and is a senior at Iowa State studying Political Science, International Relations, and Economics. He was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer at the age of 10.

To listen to the audio:

[sc_embed_player_template1 fileurl=”http://comparisonproject.wp.drake.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/92/2016/03/ABC-TCP-Mar-24_default.mp3″]

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Embrace Aging: Care-Giving

Charles Wurth

Arbor Spring Management Services

Tuesday, March 29, 7:00 p.m.
Sussman Theater, Olmsted Center, Drake University
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In a World of Dementia And Alzheimer’s Disease
Chuck Wurth specializes in care for those with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. He and his family have worked to redesign dementia care through a holistic program in a home-like setting.
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Moderator: Martha Willits, AARP Iowa State President

Willits is the volunteer Iowa State President of AARP, the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for 50+ with 370,000 members in Iowa. She was formerly president and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership as well as formerly President and Chief Professional Officer of the United Way of Central Iowa.

Video of the Lecture

Continuing education credit is available for nurses and other healthcare professionals who attend this event. It is approved by Iowa Board of Nursing Provider #302, HCI Care Services for 0.15 CEUs or 1.5 contact hours of continuing education.

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03/03/2015: Eternal Life, Death, and Dying in Jainism

Christopher ChappleChris Chapple Photo

Navin and Pratima Doshi Professor of Indic and Comparative Theology, Loyola Marymount University

Thursday, March 3, 7:00 p.m.
Sussman Theater, Olmsted Center, Drake University
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The Jain tradition has observed a practice known as Sallekhana or Santhara, through which one willingly foregoes food and hydration toward the end of one’s life in order to pass peacefully into a new life. Chapple will give details about the process and the history of Sallekhana.  He will also explore the correlations of this fast unto death with the hospice and “right to die” movements in contemporary America.
Chapple is a specialist in the religions of India; he has published twenty books on aspects of Yoga, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, as well as religion and ecology.  He serves on the advisory boards of the Ahimsa Center, the Forum on Religion and Ecology, and the International School for Jain Studies.