U of P Center for Bioethics Symposium: Legacy of Terri Schiavo

Much has already been written and voiced and shown on TV about the Terri Schiavo case. And there continues to be more discussion about Terri's experience and comparisons of other cases with her history. There is much to be learned about her and her family's experience. But also to consider from various points of view what was done right and what was done wrong and how such consideration might impact on future actions regarding advance directives and discontinuing life-support including the role of the judiciary and politicians. Each side have set up ongoing organizations to continue a Terri Schiavo legacy.

The University of Pennsylvania Center for Bioethics celebrated it's 10th anniversary by producing a symposium on April 30 and May 1 titled "The Legacy of the Terri Schiavo Case: Why is it so hard to die in America?" The entire program is available as archived webcast of the event and presented for RealPlayer viewing at the Center for Bioethics website.

Speaking is Michael Schiavo but also the session has a number of ethicists and others discussing the important topics as noted in the Program noted below (taken from the Center of Bioethics website).

The on-demand streaming video webcast is of high quality and watching it makes you feel like you were in the symposium audience. I recommend my visitors taking a look. I would be interested to know what you thought of the symposium in terms of telling the whole story and discussing what to take away as future considerations from the Terri Schiavo experience. ..Maurice.





Sunday, April 30
3:00-3:15pm
Welcome Remarks
Speaker: Jeanette Lerman, Chair, External Advisory Board to the University of Pennsylvania Center for Bioethics





3:15-5:00pm Personal Experiences with Death and Dying
Moderator: Michael Smerconish, J.D., WPHT Radio, Philadelphia Daily News
Lead Speaker: Michael Schiavo, R.N.
Panel Members: Julia Duane Quinlan, Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice
Mary J. Labyak, M.S.S.W, L.C.S.W.*, The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast


David Casarett, M.D., University of Pennsylvania

Rabbi Gerald I. Wolpe, University of Pennsylvania


Monday, May 1
8:30-8:45am Welcome Remarks
Speaker: Arthur H. Rubenstein, M.B.B.Ch., Executive Vice President, University of Pennsylvania for the Health System; Dean, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania





8:45-10:15am Who Should Decide: Surrogates / Families?
Moderator: Jennifer M. Kapo, M.D., University of Pennsylvania
Lead Speaker: Jay Wolfson, Dr.P.H., J.D., University of South Florida
Panel Members: Adrienne Asch, Ph.D., M.S., Yeshiva University
Janet F. Haas, M.D., Chair of the Corporation, William Penn Foundation

Jason Karlawish, M.D., University of Pennsylvania






10:30-12:00pm Who Should Decide: Courts / Legislators?
Moderator: Arthur L. Caplan, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Lead Speaker: Hon. George W. Greer, J.D., Florida Circuit Judge

Panel Members: Hon. Leonard B. Sokolove, J.D., Retired Judge of the Common Pleas Court of Bucks County; of counsel with Eastburn & Gray, PC
Nora Dowd Eisenhower, J.D., Secretary of Aging, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania







12:15-12:30pm Welcome Remarks
Speaker: Amy Gutmann, Ph.D., President, University of Pennsylvania





12:30-1:30pm The Role of the Media: Lunch Talk
Speaker: Robert Bazell, Chief Science and Health Correspondent, NBC News





1:30-3:00pm How Should American Society Cope with Death? Religious Perspectives
Moderator: Paul Root Wolpe, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Panel Members: Kenneth Kraft, Ph.D., Lehigh University
Abdulaziz A. Sachedina, Ph.D., University of Virginia

Rev. Dr. William J. Shaw, President, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.

Kevin O'Rourke, O.P., J.C.D., S.T.M, Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University of Chicago






3:15-4:45pm How Should American Society Cope with Death? Socio/Political Perspectives
Moderator: Charles L. Bosk, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Panel Members: Myra Bluebond-Langner, Ph.D., Rutgers University - Camden
Ronald Cranford, M.D.*, University of Minnesota

Carol Levine, United Hospital Fund

Elizabeth M. Armstrong, Ph.D., Princeton University






4:45-5:00pm Closing Remarks
Speaker: Arthur L. Caplan, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania


*Note: Mary J. Labyak and Ronald Cranford were unable to participate in the symposium.