LEWISTON – Hospice Foundation of America’s 16th Annual Teleconference will be held on Wednesday, April 29, at Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, 15 Strawberry Ave. Registration begins at 1 p.m. and the teleconference will begin at 1:30.

The teleconference will examine how diversity influences end-of-life decision making and the impact that culture has at the time of death and during bereavement. One of the goals of the teleconference is to increase sensitivity by helping professionals acknowledge how their own cultural values and assumptions influence the delivery of care. The program will also discuss the challenges that may occur when culture considerations may cause ethical concerns or moral distress.

Frank Sesno, professor of media and public affairs at The George Washington University and special correspondent with CNN, will moderate the program.

The panel will include Samira K. Beckwith, president and CEO of Hope HealthCare Services; Sandy Chen Stokes, executive director, Chinese American Coalition for Compassionate Care; Kenneth J. Doka, professor of gerontology, Graduate School of the College of New Rochelle; Wanda H. Jenkins, manager of bereavement services at VITAS Innovative Hospice Care; Richard Payne, director, Institute on Care at the End of Life, Duke University; Paul Rosenblatt, professor, College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota; and Carlos Sandoval-Cros, Rev., St. Simon’s Episcopal Church, and psychiatrist, private practice.

Three continuing education credits are available through the Hospice Foundation of America for nurses, social workers, case managers, home health aides, counselors, funeral directors, clergy, psychologists, physicians, EMS personnel, EAPs and nursing home administrators. There is a fee of $25 if processing the CE form online or $35 payable at the event.

The teleconference will conclude at 4 p.m., followed by a local panel discussion until 4:30 p.m. Call 795-9537 for more information and to register for the event.