The Aging Inspired Advance Care Planning Coalition of Lebanon County, an initiative of the Community Health Council, will host a series of events on April 16, 2026, in recognition of National Healthcare Decisions Day. The day will feature Dr. Ira Byock, MD, FAAHPM, a nationally recognized physician, author, and leader in hospice and palliative care.
Designed to engage healthcare professionals, system leaders, and the broader community, the events will focus on the importance of advance care planning, palliative and hospice care and aligning care with what matters most to individuals and families when facing a serious illness and then an end-of-life experience.
“National Healthcare Decisions Day is about more than forms and checkboxes—it’s about your wishes and on-going conversations with loved ones that bring peace of mind,” said Kathleen Hetrick, Coordinator of the Aging Inspired Advance Care Planning Coalition. “I know from my own personal experience how critical these conversations are for helping our loved ones. We are honored to bring Dr. Byock to Lebanon County to help inspire those conversations throughout our community and across healthcare wherever it is provided.”
A day of education, leadership, and community engagement
The April 16th programming includes three distinct events:
- Morning Grand Rounds (7:45 – 8:45 a.m.) – Hosted by WellSpan Health at the Grace M. Pollock Training Center and available via Zoom to regional partners, this session will focus on Making Goal Concordant Care the New Normal – Realizing Value through Personalized Care, highlighting how personalized, goal-aligned care can improve outcomes and reduce moral distress for patients, families and healthcare providers.
- Leadership Luncheon (11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.) – Held at Spooky Nook, this invitation-only conversation, Providing the Best Care Possible: Clinical and Cultural Leadership in the 21st Century, will bring together executive and clinical leaders to explore how culture, values, and personalization shape care delivery—and how aligning care with patient goals can improve quality while reducing unnecessary utilization and costs.
- Community Conversation (7:00 – 8:30 p.m.) – Open to the public and held at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 1500 Quentin Road in Lebanon, Living Well by Planning Ahead: What Mortality Can Teach Us About Living Fully invites individuals and families to reflect on what matters most and how planning ahead can help us live with intention, and bring clarity, confidence, and peace of mind. A copy of Dr. Byock’s book will be given to the first 150 attendees.
About Dr. Ira Byock
Dr. Byock has been a leader in hospice and palliative care for more than four decades. A past president of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, he has worked nationally to transform how healthcare systems deliver care to people living with serious illness. He is the author of several influential books, including Dying Well©, The Best Care Possible: A Physician’s Quest to Transform Care Through The End of Life©, and The Four Things That Matter Most: A Book About Living©.
His work emphasizes that meaningful conversations—about values, relationships, and care preferences—are essential to improving quality of life for patients and families.
Community impact
The events are expected to reach hundreds of community members and health care professionals across Lebanon County and the surrounding region. By bringing together residents, clinicians, and leaders, the initiative aims to normalize conversations about advance care planning and increase understanding of palliative and hospice care. “The on-going educational presentations and helpful conversations provided by the Aging Inspired Advance Care Planning Coalition, including this incredible opportunity, have been a significant part of the Community Health Council’s work for the last eight years,” said Nikki Gray, Executive Director of the Community Health Council of Lebanon County.
Dr. Byock’s visit is made possible through the support of regional healthcare partners and community sponsors, including UPMC Central PA, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, Penn State Health/Highmark, WellSpan Health, Cornwall Manor, Kreamer Funeral Home and Crematory, and the Francis J. Dixon and Julius H. Caplan foundations.
Registration and additional information
The evening community event is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged at:
http://nhcdd2026evening.eventbrite.com
For more information about National Healthcare Decisions Day events in Lebanon County, please visit http://www.communityhealthcouncil.com or contact the Community Health Council of Lebanon County at aging@communityhealthcouncil.com.
