Intersection of Medical Aid in Dying with Dr. Jeanne Kerwin

We are very privileged to host Dr. Kerwin who is a consultant in bioethics and palliative care at Atlantic Health System.

In this program, Dr. Kerwin navigates the intricate and often controversial landscape of Ethics and Medical Aid in Dying. Through an analysis, she explores the moral principles that underpin the discussions surrounding assisted dying, including autonomy, beneficence, and the sanctity of life. Dr. Kerwin examines various ethical frameworks and perspectives, shedding light on how different cultures and societies approach the sensitive topic of end-of-life choices. Throughout the program, she presents case studies and real-life scenarios that illustrate the challenges faced by healthcare professionals, patients, and families when grappling with decisions related to medical aid in dying. Dr. Kerwin emphasizes the importance of compassionate care and the need for clear communication among all parties involved. She provides a thorough overview of the legal landscape surrounding medical aid in dying, discussing the varying laws and regulations that exist in different jurisdictions. She addresses a range of inquiries, from the philosophical implications of choosing death over prolonged suffering to the practical considerations that healthcare providers must navigate.

Dr. Kerwin is a leader and speaker for clinical ethics and medical humanities throughout New Jersey and nationally. She served as the Director of EMS for a large acute care hospital system providing advanced life support services to multiple communities in Union, Morris and Essex counties. Her work began there and evolved into clinical ethics based upon the multiple issues facing paramedics, patients and families for the critically injured and those nearing death from a terminal illness. She helped develop ethics consultation services within the hospital system and for over 30 years provided bedside consultations for patients, clinicians and families conflicted about end-of-life decisions. She is a nationally certified Health Care Ethics Consultant (HEC-C), speaker and educator on ethics, medical humanities, and the development of institutional ethics

committees and advocacy programs for advance care planning. She is currently Co-Chair for the Academy for Aid-in-Dying Medicine Ethics Consultation Service working with ethics consultants across the United States to analyze and make recommendations about the ethical issues raised within the practice of medical aid in dying. Dr. Kerwin holds Masters and Doctorate degrees in Medical Humanities from Drew University, a Certificate in Bioethics from Columbia University and is a Scholar in the Palliative Care Education and Practice program from Harvard Medical School.Dr. Kerwin is a leader and speaker for clinical ethics and medical humanities throughout New Jersey and nationally. She served as the Director of EMS for a large acute care hospital system providing advanced life support services to multiple communities in Union, Morris and Essex counties. Her work began there and evolved into clinical ethics based upon the multiple issues facing paramedics, patients and families for the critically injured and those nearing death from a terminal illness. She helped develop ethics consultation services within the hospital system and for over 30 years provided bedside consultations for patients, clinicians and families conflicted about end-of-life decisions. She is a nationally certified Health Care Ethics Consultant (HEC-C), speaker and educator on ethics, medical humanities, and the development of institutional ethics

committees and advocacy programs for advance care planning. She is currently Co-Chair for the Academy for Aid-in-Dying Medicine Ethics Consultation Service working with ethics consultants across the United States to analyze and make recommendations about the ethical issues raised within the practice of medical aid in dying. Dr. Kerwin holds Masters and Doctorate degrees in Medical Humanities from Drew University, a Certificate in Bioethics from Columbia University and is a Scholar in the Palliative Care Education and Practice program from Harvard Medical School.