Hospice offers ALS program for healthcare workers

Hospice of the North Shore Greater Boston has announced that it will be sponsoring “The Many Faces of ALS,” a comprehensive educational program offered to health-care professionals focused on the latest developments to improve care for patients afflicted with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.

This program is being made possible through a generous gift to HNSGB, which established the Robert Marder ALS Education Series, honoring the memory of  Marder, an HNSGB patient with ALS who died in 2009.

The daylong event will be held from 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18 at the Sheraton Colonial Boston North Hotel and Conference Center, 1 Audubon Road in Wakefield. The $20 registration fee includes a continental breakfast and lunch.

Applications for four CEUs have been submitted for nursing, social workers, certified case managers and licensed mental health counselors. Contact HNSGB at 978-774-7566 for the status of CE accreditation. Register by Thursday, Sept. 12.

Keynote speaker Robert A. Goldstein, vice president of marketing, communications and development for the ALS Therapy Development Institute, will discuss the latest research in unlocking the secrets to an effective treatment for ALS.

Additional topics will include:

  • “Communication Strategies for People with ALS” by Peggy Dellea of Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital;
  • “Resources for ALS Patients and Caregivers” with Janet Obermann and Margaret Ware of the ALS Association, Massachusetts Chapter; and
  • “Transitions and Decisions” with HNSGB’s Dr. Stephanie Patel, chief medical officer, Linda Reedy, LICSW, complementary therapy manager, and Nate Lamkin, director of bereavement services.

During the luncheon, the family of Peter Frates, a young man living with ALS, will share their journey of hope and courage. KimSu Marder, RN, ALS advocate and wife of Robert Marder, will also be on the panel talking about “Transitions and Decisions.”

For more information or to register, contact Julie Manninen at 978-750-9352, email jmanninen@hns.org or visit hnsgb.org.

Leave a Reply