Vidant Health to hold Advance Care Planning events across eastern North Carolina | Eastern North Carolina Now

    GREENVILLE     Bringing up end-of-life issues with your family can be challenging. Making your wishes known in legal documents can be even tougher. That's why Vidant Health is offering these special events near you to help you begin now, while you're well and not in a crisis, so you can make sure your wishes are honored.

    You'll learn how crucial it is to take action now to specify how you want to be cared for during your final days. It's also valuable if you're a victim of a serious injury or illness - even temporarily. A panel of experts will bring legal, health care, and faith perspectives to help you with your planning and will offer advice on preparing your living will, health care power of attorney and other important legal documents.

• Wednesday, April 13 | 2 - 4 p.m. Light refreshments
• Community Education Room at Vidant Chowan Hospital
• 211 Virginia Road, Edenton

• Thursday, April 14 | 6 - 8 p.m. Dinner
• Saint Thomas Episcopal Church
• 424 W. Church Street, Ahoskie

• Saturday, April 16 | 10 a.m. - noon Light refreshments
• Extended Dining Room at Vidant Duplin Hospital
• 401 N. Main Street, Kenansville

• Saturday, April 16 | 10 a.m. - noon Light refreshments
• Vidant Edgecombe Hospital Classroom
• 111 Hospital Drive, Tarboro

• Tuesday, April 19 | 6 - 8 p.m. Dinner
• Hilton Greenville
• 207 SW Greenville Boulevard, Greenville

• Thursday, April 21 | 6 - 8 p.m. Dinner
• Cornerstone Family Worship Center Church of God
• 1918 W. 5th Street, Washington

• Tuesday, April 26 | 7 - 9 p.m. Light refreshments
• Greater Wynn's Grove Church
• 221 Wynn's Grove Church Road, Colerain

• Wednesday, May 11 | 12 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch
• The Outer Banks Hospital Education Suite
• 4800 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head

    Download an advance care planning toolkit at VidantHealth.com/AdvanceCare.

    These events are free, but registration is required. Space is limited, so register today at VidantHealth.com/AdvanceCare, or call toll free 855-MYVIDANT (855-698-4326).

    **At the Greenville event, Dr. Marty Makary, a Johns Hopkins surgical oncologist, professor and acclaimed author, will speak on how crucial it is to act now to specify how you want to be cared for during your final days. He'll discuss the importance of talking with your family and your provider to create the best possible end-of-life experience. Prepare to be inspired by his empowering stories of real patients who have influenced his medical practice.

    A pioneer in cancer surgery and a noted author, Dr. Marty Makary is a leading voice for end-of-life care that's meaningful and reflects the patient's wishes. Last year he was named to the list of America's 20 Most Influential People in Health Care by Health Leaders Magazine. He is a professor and chair of gastrointestinal surgery at Johns Hopkins University, where he has been at the forefront of minimally invasive pancreatic surgery. He also serves as director of surgical quality and safety at Hopkins.

    Dr. Makary writes often for the Wall Street Journal and Time magazine and has published more than 200 scholarly articles. He is the New York Times best-selling author of Unaccountable, a book about making health care more transparent, democratic and safer for patients. Copies will be for sale after the event and Dr. Makary will be available to autograph them.

    Following the keynote presentation, an expert panel featuring Dr. Makary as well as a local physician, attorney, caregiver and faith leader, will offer advice to assist you in advance care planning.

• Contact: Beth Anne Atkins
•     beth.atkins@vidanthealth.com