LIVING WELL DYING WELL

2022 Community Forum and Campaign Launch

Held during National Palliative Care Week at The Good Shepherd Seminary, this event provided a thought-provoking and informative evening exploring how our community can support those with serious and life-limiting illness and their families.

Attendees at the Community Forum heard from speakers and a panel of experts who’ll discuss aspects of Living Well Dying Well including:

  • medical and clinical aspects of palliative care from institutional to community
  • current policy and advocacy work being undertaken to support those who have a life-limiting illness and their loved ones
  • discussions regarding the academic, philosophical and ethical elements of end-of-life support in the community
  • understanding how you can join the campaign and contribute to the conversation in the community

Living Well Dying Well Panellists

Monica Doumit (MC)

Director of Public Affairs and Engagement, Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney

Monica is a multi-disciplinary professional whose education and experience has seen her traverse law, bioethics, communications and politics. She is a confident communications advisor, with a focus on challenging issues, a sought-after opinion columnist and public speaker, corporate lawyer and bioethicist.

Associate Professor Megan Best

Associate Professor of Bioethics, Institute of Ethics and Society, The University of Notre Dame Australia and Honorary Associate Professor, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, the University of Sydney

Megan has a clinical background in Palliative Medicine. She has taught medical ethics at a tertiary level for many years and is internationally known for her work in ethics from a Christian perspective. Her research interests include spirituality in healthcare, existential suffering, psycho-oncology, whole person care and ethics at the beginning and end of life and is well published in these areas including hundreds of citations. Megan’s research has been taken up across Australia and has influenced medical curricula and the work of the European Association of Palliative Care.

Patricia Thomas

Grief Care Managing Consultant, Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria

Patricia was awarded the Honour of Dame of the Order of St Sylvester by Pope Francis on 3 December 2021, in recognition of her distinguished service to the Church and wider community. Pat has served the Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria for over eight years and under her guidance and leadership the Grief Care team provide support, conversation, referral and education for people grieving a death or seeking to understand the loss and grief experience.

Associate Professor Maria Cigolini

Senior Palliative Medicine Physician and Associate Professor of Medicine, the University of Sydney

Until recently she was the Clinical and Administrative Head of the Palliative Care Department at RPAH, responsible for service provision and expansion, specialist training, research and funding advocacy within the RPA hospital and community sector. Her strengths include policy development and application toward a consensus approach for Supportive Care models in cancer and Chronic Care, Advance Care Planning and patient centred health care delivery.

She also contributes to colloquia and writings of the International Association of Catholic Bioethicists.

Community Forum Livestream

A recording of the livestream is now available. If you have any questions or would like to provide feedback, please contact us below.

4 + 8 =

Contact us

Contact Living Well Dying Well for more information, additional support or to provide feedback.

2C West Street, Lewisham, Sydney NSW 2049