Care Partner Support by Renee Parham, CTRS, CDP

Michigan Center for Rural Health | Palliative Medicine ECHO Series

Location: Virtual

This session bridged the gap between understanding palliative medicine and its applications in care partner support in a rural setting. Participants learned non-pharmacological interventions to teach care partners who are providing IADL and ADL support.

A recording of the presentation can be found here video1039135102 

Communication and Advanced Care Planning by Dr. Jason R. Beckrow

Michigan Center for Rural Health | Palliative Medicine ECHO Series

Location: Virtual

Participants learned how to conduct an effective family meeting, discussed strategies to enhance communication skills while delivering news related to serious illness and the benefits of advanced care planning.

A recording of the presentation can be found here Session 5 Palliative Care ECHO 11 25 2025

Cancer and Palliative Care by Dr. Jason R. Beckrow

Michigan Center for Rural Health | Palliative Medicine ECHO Series

Location: Virtual

This presentation discussed the intersection of Palliative Medicine and cancer care. We differentiated primary palliative medicine and specialty palliative medicine as it relates to cancer care. Also identified challenges and opportunities related to caring for patients with advanced cancer.

A recording of the presentation can be found here 11.11.25 iECHO Session Zoom

Dementia and Palliative Care

Michigan Center for Rural Health | Palliative Medicine ECHO Series

Location: Virtual

During this session, cognitive changes that are abnormal with aging and warrant further investigation were discussed. Participants learned about the role of palliative providers in enhancing quality of life through assessment and future planning, socialization, leisure involvement and sense of purpose. Common challenges those with dementia face and how to assist in navigating said challenges were discussed as well.

A recording of the presentation can be found here Palliative Care ECHO 10.28.2025

When Illness Strikes: Advocate and Prepare by Dr. Carol Robinson

Calvin Academy for Life Long Learning | Calvin University

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

This course helped you better understand how to work with the healthcare system, speak up for a loved one in the hospital, and plan ahead for future medical care. Participants learned how hospitals and healthcare providers work, and how to ask questions, get clear answers, and make sure care is well-coordinated. The course also covered how to support a family member or friend during a hospital stay, including ways to speak up respectfully and make sure their needs are met. Finally, participants learned about advance care planning—how to make decisions now about the kind of care you or a loved one may want in the future. This course was great for anyone who wants to be more confident and prepared when dealing with health issues, either for themselves or someone they care about.

Pain Management

Michigan Center for Rural Health | Palliative Medicine ECHO Series

Location: Virtual

This presentation reviewed patient factors that influence pain management, opiate management practices including oral morphine equivalents and opiate rotation.

A recording of the presentation can be found here 10.14.25 Palliative Care ECHO

Palliative Care: An Overview

Michigan Center for Rural Health | Palliative Medicine ECHO Series

Location: Virtual

During this presentation, palliative medicine was defined, compared and contrasted with Hospice Care, highlighting key similarities and differences. Primary palliative medicine was differentiated from speciality palliative medicine. Challenges and opportunities related to caring for patients with complex, life-altering, and/or life-limiting illnesses were defined and explored.

The Pain of Pain: Revising our Management Perspectives by Dr. John Mulder

Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University : Health Sciences

Location: Virtual

This session will focus on defining pain and highlighting the patient perspective of what pain and suffering is to them. Participants learned how to best advocate for patients and use a team-based approach to pain management. Palliative care management strategies were outlined to help guide and treat patient suffering.

East Lansing, Michigan

Special Topics Grand Rounds: Effective Communications: How we do it in Palliative Care

Organization/Conference: Michigan Center for Rural Health | Michigan State University

Time: 12PM

Location: Virtual

City/State: East Lansing, Michigan

On Her Deathbed, Not Dying

Organization/Conference: Guest on Podcast Dying to Tell You

Podcast Special Series: The Caring Perspective- Episode 05

Palliative Medicine Discussion Panel

Organization: College Osteopathic Medicine

Time: 12:00 PM

Location: Virtual

City/State: East Lansing, MI

Oklahoma Hospice and Palliative Care Association Conference

Time: 8:30am “From Cookies to Cancer:  Using Improvisation in Palliative Care Discussions”

Time: 10:15am “Words Matter:  Language That Can Hurt or Help Our Patients” 

Hard Rock Café Hotel 

Tulsa, OK

Navigating Uncertainty in End-of-Life Care

NAHC 2024 Home Care and Hospice Conference

Time: 12:30 am

Tampa Convention Center

Tampa, Florida

Navigating Serious Illness in the Midst of Uncertainty (panel discussion)

McGill International Palliative Care Congress

Time: 11:00 am

Palais Des Congres De Montreal

Montreal, Quebec

Music as Medicine: Songwriting as a Healing Strategy

NHPCO Annual Leadership Conference

Time: 8:00 am

Sheraton Denver

Denver, CO

Music presentation with Tricia Walker

NHPCO Annual Leadership Conference

Time: 4:30 pm

Sheraton Denver

Denver, CO

Dr. John Mulder will speak at the Oklahoma Hospice and Palliative Care Organization Annual Conference, Tulsa, OK.

The Inflection Period in Serious Illness” (with Drs. Tim Ihrig and Jeff Nelson)

Navigating Uncertainty in End of Life Care

Oklahoma Hospice and Palliative Care Organization Annual Conference

Tulsa, OK

Dr. John Mulder will speak at the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization 2023 Annual Leadership Conference, Little Rock, AR

“Opioid Prescribing and Substance Use Disorder in Hospice and Palliative Care” – Preconference session (satisfies criteria for the DEA MATE law)

“Rethinking Palliative Care” (with Robin Stawasz)

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization 2023 Annual Leadership Conference

Little Rock, AR

“Quality vs. Quantity of Life: Beyond the Dichotomy” (with Dr. Ariel Dempsey)

World Congress onNursing Education and Practice

Frankfurt, Germany

“LIVING WITH UNCERTAINTY” with Dr. Ariel Dempsey for the opening plenary address

UK Palliative Care Congress

Edinburgh, Scotland

Dr. Mulder Released an Album Inspired by the Work of Hospice

Our very own Dr. John Mulder has co-created an album, The World Around the Bed: Songs of hope and healing, to reflect the joys, sorrows and difficulties that are a part of life’s journey. Proceeds from the album will support PPE supplies for hospice providers. Follow the link to support the project and learn more.

Learn More >

The Myth of Patient-Centered Care

Dr. Mulder presented a keynote, plenary address to general session of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization Clinical Team Conference, New Orleans, LA

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization Clinical Team Conference

New Orleans, LA