Past Symposiums
Event Review from 2023
9th Annual Pediatric Palliative Care Symposium | November 9
Joy, Creativity, Challenges, and Capabilities
Join us in-person for our 9th annual Pediatric Palliative Care Symposium. Parents, caregivers, volunteers, donors, and clinicians are all invited to attend this event on Thursday, Nov 9, from 9 am-2:30 pm. Speakers include: Ted Bowman, grief counselor Helen Bennett, Director of Care, Alexander Devine Children's Hospice Lori and Jeff Wells, Crescent Cove parents Kristy Hubbard, Crescent Cove parent Erika Wells, Crescent Cove RN Jacob Uban, music therapist, Alliance Music Therapy Maddie O'Reilly, Crescent Cove CNA and recent occupational therapist graduate.
Event Review from 2022
8th Annual Pediatric Palliative Care Symposium | December 15, 2022
Tender Transitions
Families of children living with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition face one transition after another. Birth, disease onset, diagnosis, hospitalization, stability, exacerbation, respite, and hospice transitions are common. Supportive and exemplary palliative care for families, and the staff serving such families at tender thresholds requires regular review.
Event Review from 2021
7th Annual Pediatric Palliative Care Symposium | Nov 19, 2021
The Place and Power of Stories in Palliative Care
Speakers at the 2021 symposium spoke of the power of stories to enhance expression, cope, and provide self-care for those experiencing or having experienced the illness and/or loss of a child. They explored the various means through which stories can be expressed: narrative, poetry, music, blogs, interviews, and so forth. Attendees learned how sharing and listening to the stories of others can result in mutual healing.
Event Review from 2020
6th Annual Pediatric Palliative Care Symposium | October 23, 2020
Making Moments Count through Rituals, Relationships, Resources and Resiliency
Speakers at the 2020 Symposium addressed four aspects of care in making moments count for kids and families in pediatric palliative care. These areas are:
- Rituals and caring processes when thresholds are being passed (especially dying, end-of-life and bereavement care)
- Relationships and Resources that enhance existing links between families, acute hospital care and the work of Crescent Cove
- Resiliency in the midst of Covid19
Event Review from 2019
5th Annual Pediatric Palliative Care Symposium | November 20-21, 2019
Creating, Composing and Conducting Sustaining Rhythms of Palliative Care for All
At its best, pediatric palliative care providers and families “sing” together. It may not always be in unison; verses may vary, improvisations happen that require dexterity by all, and players may come and go. But when done well, music of caring can be heard, sustained, and applauded.
In our 5th annual symposium, participants explored creative traditional and complementary perspectives and tools for quality care of children and families. Using music as a primary metaphor, sessions included attention to diet, energy, words, spiritual practices, movement, and body care along with the best of medical care.
Event Review from 2018
4th Annual Pediatric Palliative Care Symposium | October 25-26, 2018
Relieving Pressures/Enhancing Supports: Basic Needs and Communities of Care
Living with complex, life-threatening conditions requires holistic attention and responses. Like a teeter-totter or mobile, there is always a tension in balancing the emotional, financial, spiritual and daily pressures, medical care and other needs.
This year's Symposium welcomed families, volunteers, and a wide range of practitioners who addressed the continuum of care necessary for families caring for a child with a life-threatening condition.
Keynote Speakers | Read the speakers' bios
A European Perspective: The Best of Palliative Care
Dr. Katerina Rusinova, Center for Palliative & Support Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
An American Perspective: Family and Hospice
Jonathan Cottor, Founder, Ryan House, Phoenix, AZ
Watch Sessions from the Symposium
Event Review from 2017
3rd Annual Pediatric Palliative Care Symposium | September 28 and 29, 2017
Woven Together: Care-Giving and Care-Receiving:
The Crossroads of Caring for Another and Caring for Self
Living with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition requires a wide circle of careers. It is not enough to empower and support a child with such a condition, siblings, parents, and even the family. Optimizing care and hope also requires attention to volunteer and professionals that are a part of the circles of care. If any “care-giver” is compromised in their well-being or ability to provide their best, the care of a person living with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition can be adversely affected.
"There are no words that will truly express my heartfelt thanks for an incredible symposium!! So many perspectives on resiliency and self care! We truly can learn from each other, integrate the tools we learned at home personally, professionally and educate those we work with!! An incredible line up of passionate leaders in this sometimes, very difficult field, where demands take a toll and resiliency isn't easy to find. Thank You again for 2 incredible days!! Looking forward to next year's conference!!!" - 2017 Attendee
Event Review from 2016
2nd Annual Pediatric Palliative Care Symposium | October 14 and 15, 2016
The Thresholds of Living, Dying, and Death:
Pediatric Palliative, Hospice and Bereavement Care
- Symposium Discussion Brief
- SPIKES - A Six-Step Protocol for Conversations That Contain Hard News
- Symposium Program with Speaker Bios
Event Review from 2015
1st Annual Pediatric Palliative Care Symposium | October 16 and 17, 2015
Joining Families, Clinicians and Policy Makers to Advance Support and Care
Serving Children and Families Facing Life Threatening Illness:
A Discussion Brief to Stimulate Symposium Participants’ Thinking and Conversations