The Vermont Country Store gave a strong vote of confidence in our Speak Sooner initiative by supporting a challenge grant for expanding programs using the Difficult Conversations Toolkit at Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC). Dr. Allan D. Eisemann, Medical Director of, RRMC’s Cancer Center/ Palliative Care/Hospice tells us, “Each workbook chapter opens doors for better […]
“Illness Does Not Just Impact One Person: getting patients, families and doctors on the same page” Presentation and Panel Discussion at Burr and Burton Academy, Manchester, VT
We all came together on a rainy blustery evening at Burr and Burton Academy to learn more about Speak Sooner – an initiative of the Center for Communication in Medicine (CCM). We had a vibrant panel representing many walks of life – patient, doctor, family member, spiritual advisor, psychologist and medical humanist – showing we […]
SpeakSooner Receives $2000 Gift from Juliana Centner Memorial Fund
In December we were honored to receive a gift of $2000 from the Juliana Centner Memorial Fund, earmarked to support community education programs under the auspices of our SpeakSooner initiative. Juliana was not only a beloved friend but also worked an educator in Vermont and believed in self-empowerment. Her gift will help us to ensure […]
Difficult Conversations Pilot Program Launched at RRMC
In November we launched a pilot program to explore how to most effectively implement our Difficult Conversations workbook and video in an institutional context. In the pilot program the toolkit is being introduced to patients and their family members by doctors, nurses and social workers at RutlandRegionalMedicalCenter’s cancer center, in-patient palliative care service and VNA/Hospice.
Community Education Program Presented for Hospice & Palliative Care Awareness Month
As part of the regional implementation of our SpeakSooner Initiative, and made possible by the sponsorship of Rutland Regional Medical Center, we presented a community education program in honor of Hospice & Palliative Care Awareness Month. This program featured a screening of our Difficult Conversations video for members of the public, followed by a panel […]
Why Every Patient Should Be Recording Appointments
Like many proactive patients, you might already bring pen and paper to your doctors’ appointments so you can take notes.
CCM Presents “Good Communication Is Good Medicine” Seminar to Human Resource Managers
CCM was invited to present a seminar entitled “Good Communication Is Good Medicine” to human resource managers at the Philadelphia, PA headquarters of Health Advocate. Health Advocate is an independent healthcare advocacy and assistance company that helps clients (patients and family members) navigate the often complex healthcare system, including offering tools to help patients make more informed decisions and get more value out of the healthcare system.
CCM Offers “Difficult Conversations” Workshop in Vermont
A free workshop on the use of the Difficult Conversations Workbook will be offered on Thursday, May 9, 6:30-8:30 pm at the Norman Williams Public Library in Woodstock, VT. Participants will learn how to use the workbook as a guide for identifying and communicating about issues and concerns in facing chronic and incurable illnesses. The […]
Join Us for A Workshop in Woodstock, Vermont!
“Doctors have a hard job. Not everybody wants to have these conversations.” This insight comes from
CCM to Offer Workshop for Patients & Families at Stowe Weekend Of Hope
The Stowe Weekend of Hope is an annual forum that offers educational and inspirational programs for cancer survivors and their families. The aim of CCM’s May 4 workshop is to help patients arrive at doctors’ offices prepared to take a more active role in decisions about their care. The program will address the challenges to communication […]