News & Events
Save the Date: Spring 2024 Palliative Care Virtual Series
What’s Old is New: A Fresh Take on Some Classics
Five-part weekly virtual series to start on May 22, 2024
Series presented by the Vermont Ethics Network and Palliative Care Task Force
Vermont Advance Directive Week 2024 – April 14-20
Advance Directive Week – April 14-20, 2024
National Healthcare Decisions Day – April 16, 2024
Learn more about events in your area and how you can take part in Vermont Advance Directive Week!
Presentation on Voluntarily Stopping Eating & Drinking as a Viable End of Life Option (EVENT)
On Thursday, April 18 from 4-5:30pm, Brattleboro Area Hospice will be showing a video of a 3-person panel presentation on VSED (voluntary stopping of eating and drinking) as an alternative choice for terminally ill, mentally competent patients to hasten the end of life, originally given at the Hemlock Society of San Diego in March of 2023. This event will take place at the Brooks Memorial Library Meeting Room, 224 Main St, Brattleboro VT.
This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP by emailing or calling 802 257-0775 as space is limited.
How to Make End-of-Life Planning Less Stressful (NYT Article, March 8, 2024)
One tip: Do it over chocolate cake.
Advice for end-of-life planning and starting difficult conversations from NYT and Well Newsletter correspondent Jancee Dunn. Click to read the full article.
Using the Mediator’s Toolbox in Clinical Conflict: The 55th Meeting of the NH/VT Ethics Committees
Upcoming Event!
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 Registration 7:45 – 8:15 am Conference beings 8:15 am to 12:15 pm
ARTICLE: Should Patients Be Allowed to Die From Anorexia? (NYT)
“Treatment was not helping her anorexia, so doctors allowed her to stop-no matter the consequences. But is a ‘palliative’ approach to mental illness really ethical?”
Community Event: FUNdraising Event for Yolande Henry Community Fund
September 9, 2023 from 10am-5pm at the Winston Prouty Center in Brattleboro, VT
Morning Workshops in ASL: Registration Required
• Ian Sanborn – Developing Confidence Through the Lens of Performance (for interpreters – CEUs available!)
• Brattleboro Area Hospice/Secrest & Darrow Law – Advanced Directives & Wills (for DHHDB)
Afternoon Performance: Open to the Public, English interpretation provided
• Ian Sanborn
• René Pellerin
Empathy As a Bridge To Improve Healthcare Communication: A Two-Way Street
The Center for Communication in Medicine is offering a community education program at the Bennington Performing Arts Center.
Presentation Recordings: Spring 2023 Palliative Care Series
All session recordings from this series will be posted here.
Recording: Vermont Advance Directive Week 2023 (VT Advance Directive Review)
Session recorded April 11, 2023. This session is a review of Vermont Advance Directives, advance care planning, and general FAQs for providers, facilitators and the general public.
If you are hosting an event and would like VEN to advertise it, please send your event details to Taylor Murray at
New 2022 VT DNR/COLST Form: New Form for Clinician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
On June 1, 2022, the new VT DNR/COLST form takes effect. All new orders should be completed on this form if possible, although orders on previously approved VT DNR/COLST forms remain legal and valid. Learn more about the updated form and best practices for clinicians completing these orders by watching our Information Session video and reviewing the accompanying slide deck. The form is available for download here, and on our Forms page.
