Learn How to Say Goodbye

Learn How to Say Goodbye at Hospice and Palliative Care Outreach Seminar

Hope Wechkin, MD, will be the featured speaker at a hospice and palliative care informational seminar at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28, at the Mercer Island Community Center, 8236 SE 24th St., Mercer Island. Wechkin is the medical director of Evergreen Hospice and Palliative Care in Kirkland. The seminar is free.

Dr. Wechkin will explain the difference between hospice and palliative care, and talk aboutend-of-life issues such as pain management, how to say goodbye to loved ones and who pays for the services.

The program is sponsored by Evergreen Homecare Services which provides hospice and home health care; Right At Home which provides non-medical in-home care and assistance; Pacific Regent which provides skilled nursing and rehabilitation, and Covenant Shores, acontinuing care retirement community.

Dr. Wechkin graduated summa cum laude from Yale University in 1990 and from the University of Washington School of Medicine in 1997. Since 2007 she has devoted herselffull-time to the practice of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and is Board-certified by the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She has served on the staff of the Palliative Care Consult Service at the University of Washington Medical Center and is a faculty member for the Chronic Care clerkship at the University of Washington School of Medicine. She is a frequent speaker at regional hospital Grand Rounds and educational events for both community members and healthcare providers.