Presentations
Oregon POLST Program Resources and Videos
Virtual Visits: Providing Access to POLST During COVID-19 by Susan W. Tolle, MD (1:40)
Sharing POLST Policies and Innovations Related to COVID-19 by Susan W. Tolle, MD (18:53)
POLST Conversations for ED Physicians with a Capable Patient by Katie Stowers, DO (5:16)
POLST Conversations for ED Physicians with a Surrogate by Katie Stowers, DO (5:34)
POLST and Coronavirus: If You Get Sick, Will Your Orders Match Your Wishes? by Susan W. Tolle, MD (5:42)
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRESENTATIONS AND BE DIRECTED TO THE OREGON POLST PROGRAM HOME PAGE
Finding ways to still be there for our dying patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

The Center for Ethics would like to share a short presentation titled, "Finding ways to still be there for our dying patients during the COVID-19 pandemic" (9:48), led by Sara Taub, MD, MBe. Dr. Taub is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Pediatric Palliative Care and General Pediatrics, and a Senior Scholar with the Center for Ethics in Health Care.
In this presentation, Dr. Taub examines how physicians can and must continue to fulfill their responsibilities to their dying patients in the hospital by finding ways to accompany them on their journey at the end of life, and ensuring that they do not die alone.
COVID 19 and Particularly Vulnerable People: A Patient Advocate Perspective
The Center for Ethics would like to share a short presentation titled, "COVID 19 and Particularly Vulnerable People: A Patient Advocate Perspective" (15:19), led by Melissa Monner, MS. Melissa is an Associate Director of the OHSU Center for Ethics and the Manager of Patient Relations at OHSU.
In this presentation, Melissa Monner explores how COVID 19 is impacting the lives of everyone worldwide, but there are those who are particularly vulnerable. How can we think about our response ethically and as members of human race?
Acting Ethically in a Pandemic: What's the Same, and What's Different?
The Center for Ethics would like to share a short presentation titled, "Acting Ethically in a Pandemic: What's the Same, and What's Different?" (12:07), led by Bob Macauley, MD, FAAP, FAAHPM. Dr. Macauley is the Cambia Health Foundation Endowed Chair in Pediatric Palliative Care, and a Senior Scholar at the Center for Ethics.
In this presentation, Dr. Macauley explores how in a pandemic, public health takes precedence over individual autonomy, raising the question of how to fairly allocate scarce resources the emotional pain many health care workers are experiencing as they have to enforce strict visitation policies on families in order to protect both patients, and themselves.
Moral Distress During a Time of Health Care Crisis: When Following the Rules Doesn't Feel Right
The Center for Ethics would like to share a short presentation titled, "Moral Distress During a Time of Health Care Crisis: When Following the Rules Doesn't Feel Right" (11:05), led by Tyler Tate, MD, MA. Dr. Tate is the Director of Professionalism and Comfort Care at the Center for Ethics.
In this talk, Dr. Tate will discuss the emotional pain many health care workers are experiencing as they have to enforce strict visitation policies on families in order to protect both patients, and themselves.
A Nation's Grief: Loss in the Time of COVID-19
The Center for Ethics would like to share a short presentation titled, "A Nation's Grief: Loss in the Time of COVID-19" (12:45), led by Susan Hedlund, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C. Susan is the Director of Patient/Family Support Services at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, and also a Senior Scholar for the Center for Ethics.
This webinar is less about traditional grief as we know it, but instead a consideration of the collective grief we feel as a nation during this pandemic.
Communicating in a Crisis: Skills to Honor the Previously Determined Preferences for Medical Care
The Center for Ethics would like to share a presentation titled, "Communicating in a Crisis: Skills to Honor the Previously Determined Preferences for Medical Care" (18:55), led by Katie Stowers, DO. Katie is the Ronald W. Naito Director in Serous Illness Education and Associate Director of OHSU Center for Ethics.
Dr. Stowers guides emergency physicians and hospitalists through key questions and compassionate communication strategies to ensure that their patients’ wishes for care are honored in this time of pandemic crisis.
Healthcare Communication in a Time of Resource Shortage

The Center for Ethics would like to share a short presentation titled, "Healthcare Communication in a Time of Resource Shortage" (7:20), led by David Clarke, MD. Dr. Clarke is the Assistant Director of the Center for Ethics.
Dr. Clarke models ways health care professionals can bring greater compassion to conversations with patients and families about new restrictions such as the heart- breaking prohibition on visiting loved ones in the hospital.
Caring for Yourself and Caring for Others During a Disaster/Epidemic

The Center for Ethics would like to share a short presentation titled, "Caring for Yourself and Caring for Others During a Disaster/Epidemic" (25:31), led by Susan Hedlund, LCSW, OSW-C. Susan is Director of Patient/Family Support Services at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, and also a Senior Scholar for the Center for Ethics..
Susan Hedlund shares her wisdom and experience from her decades of responding to international disasters. She provides guidance to health care professionals in managing the tremendous and growing stress of the coronavirus pandemic.