Hyatt Regency Bethesda
Bethesda, MD

Summit Objectives

• Examined the current status of palliative care and end-of-life research, practice, and policy
• Proposed strategies to overcome barriers and ensure scientific and methodologic rigor in our research
• Delineated new action items that galvanize progress in this vital area of science
• Envisioned and map pathways to ensure a future rich with scientific endeavor and achievements

Who Attended

This Summit brought together scientists, researchers, palliative and end-of-life care health professionals, educators, policy makers, members of professional organizations and individuals with life-limiting illnesses as well as their caregivers.

Confirmed Speakers

• Dr. Ira Byock
• Dr. Richard Payne
• Dr. Randy Curtis
• Dr. Amy Abernethy
• Dr. Joan Teno
• Dr. Marcia Grant
• Dr. Pamela Hinds
• Dr. Christine Miaskowski
• Dr. Jean Kutner
• Dr. Jennifer Temel

Pre-Summit Town Hall Event

Prior to the Summit a town hall event brought together, for the first time, individuals with a variety of scientific and practice backgrounds, those diagnosed with life-limiting illnesses and their caregivers or significant others, policy makers and others who drove the scientific research agenda.

Highlights included opening remarks by NINR Director Patricia A. Grady, an exploration of key issues in palliative care and end-of-life research by invited scientific and  policy speakers and an opportunity to engage in a public discussion and interactive dialogue.

Call for Abstracts/Evening Poster Reception

A poster session was held in conjunction with the Summit’s Evening Reception which will feature desserts, coffee, and dialogue with top researchers in end-of-life and palliative care.

Abstracts addressing a variety of themes in palliative care and end-of-life research were particularly encouraged.

Research Mentor and Community Dyad Program

This innovative program paired researchers with members of the community including those individuals who have life-limiting illness or their caregivers. These dyads will attend the Summit together and interact with presenting researchers to learn firsthand about characteristics of good research and key issues in palliative care and end-of-life research.

Senior Mentor and Junior Researcher Dyad Program

Investigators meeting the criteria for NIH defined “junior” researcher status attendded the Summit paired with a Senior Researcher Mentor. Junior and Senior Researcher pairs attendded sessions together, and Junior Researchers received guidance regarding state-of-the-art and methodologically rigorous palliative care and end-of-life research.

Both dyad  programs will provide academic mentoring and opportunities for small group networking.