LifeCircle hosts free conference calls each quarter on end-of-life topics. Our goal is to enhance knowledge of palliative (comfort) and hospice care among health care professionals who endeavor to provide quality care at end of life to all South Dakotans.

To register for events please  visit  The USD Sanford School of  Medicine Event Registration site

September 14, 2016      Compassion Fatigue for Health Professionals

Nancy Wise-Vander Lee, PhD, LP.  Clinical Psychologist & Manager, Avera Employee Assistance Program, Sioux Falls, SD

Dr. Wise-Vander Lee earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology-Fresno.  She has practiced as a psychologist for over 20 years in the Sioux Falls community.  She also has experience teaching in the areas of Abnormal Psychology and Counseling.  She provides individual psychotherapy to adults and older adults.  Her areas of specialty are treatment for depression, anxiety and PTSD, mood disorders, personality disorders, sleep disorders and stress management.  Nancy is the Employee Assistance Program Manager.  She provides crisis intervention, critical incident services, consultations, and training programs. 

Related Reading:

Hauck, D.  (2014).  Helping nurses cope with grief and compassion fatigue:  An educational   intervention.  Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 18 (4):  454-458.

Kearney, M.K., Weininger, R.B., Vachon, M.L.S., Harrison, R.L., & Mount, B. M. (2009).     Self-care of physicians caring for patients at end of life:  “Being connected…a key to my   survival.” JAMA, 301 (11): 1155-1164.

December 14, 2016        Finding Your Humanity:  Contending with the PITA* Patient (*Pain in the A##)

Michael V. Bloom, PhD.  Clinical Psychologist, Center for Family Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD

Much of Dr. Bloom’s practice has focused on patients presenting behaviors and perspectives that may pose challenges to self and others.  He has written a book that outlines interventions and strategies to intervene in the patterns to help individuals and practitioners.

Related Reading:

Thurston, A.  (2016).  The unreasonable patient.  JAMA, 315 (7):  657-658.

Bloom, M. V., & Smith, D. A. (2001).  Brief Mental Health Interventions for the Family         Physician.  New York:  Springer.  Outline of Chapters 8 (Over-Utilizers) and 10 (Non-      Adherence). 

March 15, 2017             Having the Discussion, Getting Paid:  Medicare’s Role in End-of-Life Care

David Brechtelsbauer, MD, CMD.  Assoc. Prof, Family Medicine, USD Sanford School of Medicine.

Dr. Brechtelsbauer (affectionately referred to as “Dr. B”) is a family physician and medical director in the Sioux Falls area and has served in many regional and national capacities, including President of the SD Medical Directors Association.  He has been an active mentor in geriatric and hospice/palliative care medicine and was one of the catalysts creating LifeCircle South Dakota and the Interdisciplinary Palliative Care Seminar. 

Related Reading:

      Tuller, D.  (2016).  Medicare coverage for advance care planning: Just the first step.                             Health Affairs, 35 (3): 390-393

June 14, 2017                Dying with Dementia

Katie Bloom, LCSW-PIP.  Instructor, USD Health Sciences Instructor.

David Brechtelsbauer, MD, CMD.  Assoc. Prof, Family Medicine, USD Sanford School of Medicine

LuAnn M. Eidsness, MD, FACP. HMDC.  Medical Director, Hospice & Palliative Care, Sanford       Medical Center, Sioux Falls

This panel represents the core of LifeCircle South Dakota.  With different specialties and common passion in palliative and hospice care, they offer a thorough perspective on issues pertaining to dementia and end-of-life care.

Related Reading:

Malsam-Rysdon, M. (2014). South Dakota Vital Statistics Report: A State and County Comparison of Leading Health Indicators South Dakota Department of Health <https://doh.sd.gov/statistics/2014Vital/default.aspx>  Accessed 6-11-2016 [ 2015 report should be available by time of presentation]

Oliver, D.P., Washington, K., Kruse, R.L., et al. (2014).  Hospice family member’s perceptions of and experiences with end-of-life care in the nursing home.  JAMDA The Journal of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, 15: 744-50.

Silveira, M.J., Wiitala, W., & Piette, J. (2014).  Advance directive completion by elderly Americans: A decade of change. JAGS, 62 (4): 706-710.