Virginia Tilden is a nursing professor and associate director of the Center for Ethics in Health Care at Oregon Health Sciences University. She and her colleagues have been at the centre of an intense debate since Oregon approved the controversial measure two years ago.
Although its implementation has been blocked by legal challenges, physician-assisted suicide remains a divisive issue among health care professionals, Tilden said. The disciplines of medicine, pharmacy, nursing and social work each has a unique perspective on the issue, she added.
Tilden will discuss these differences when she delivers the McCreary lecture Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 12:30 p.m. in IRC#4.
Other Health Sciences Week activities include the Health Sciences Student Research Forum, an interdisciplinary event that features more than 100 oral and poster presentations on Wednesday, Oct. 16.
The forum begins at 5 p.m. with two graduate students delivering the keynote address. Subodh Verma, of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, will discuss insulin and hypertension, while Alan Young, Faculty of Dentistry, will relate new developments in cleft palate research.
Another highlight of the week is the Health Care Team Clinical Competition, held Thursday, Oct. 17, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in IRC#2.
In front of a live audience, three interdisciplinary teams of health sciences students will demonstrate their skills in assessing and managing a mock medical case.
As well, the annual McCreary Prize for Interprofessional Teamwork in the Health Professions will be awarded for the best example of a B.C. health care initiative that demonstrates innovative co-operation between three or more health care disciplines. This year's winner is the Brain Injury Community Education Program at the B.C. Rehabilitation Foundation.
Call Maureen Dunn at 822-3737 for more information.