Understanding End of Life Practices: Perspectives on Communication, Religion and Culture

Chandana Banerjee, M.D., M.P.A., HMDC, is the Dean, Director & Designated Institutional Official for Graduate Medical Education at City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, California. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Supportive Care Medicine, specializing in hospice and palliative care where she developed the City of Hope Hospice & Palliative Medicine Fellowship. She also created and chairs the annual City of Hope End of Life Symposium and leads the City of Hope Schwartz Rounds. She serves as chair on the City of Hope End-of-Life Option Act Subcommittee and represents the institution as a contributing member on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Fatigue Panel. She is Chair of the American Academy of Hospice & Palliative Medicine's (AAHPM) Medical Aid in Dying Special Interest Group for 2023-2024 and also served as Chair on the AAHPM Humanities and Spirituality Special Interest Group. Dr Banerjee has been on several editorial boards including the AAHPM Quarterly. She has been a reviewer for the multiple poster and abstract submissions. She has written and published numerous articles, opinion pieces and book chapters and spoken on podcasts and conferences nationally and internationally on topics related to Palliative, Hospice, End of Life Care and Medical Aid in Dying.Dr Banerjee was selected as a Health Equity Scholar into the prestigious Cambridge Health Alliance - Center for Health Equity Education & Advocacy Program’s 2021-2022 Cohort.Dr. Banerjee earned her undergraduate degree with an honors scholar designation from University of Connecticut. She received her master's degree in public administration from New York University and her medical degree from Saba University School of Medicine.  Dr. Banerjee loves to write poetry and her first collection, "Ashen Leaves," was published in July 2020. Her second book of poems, "Neruda in Bed," was published in November 2021.

• Introduction Chapter/Foreword.- Part 1: Culture & Communication at the End of Life: What is Cultural Competency.- Cultural Competency Models at the End of Life.- Communication Models at the End of Life.- Delivering Bad News.- Prognostication.- Advanced Care Planning.- Decision Making across cultures.- Grief & Bereavement Practices.- Part 2: Religion & End of Life Practices:Buddhism .- Catholicism.- Christianity.- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.- Greek Orthodox.- Hinduism.- Jehovah’s Witness.- Judaism.- Islam.- Church of Scientology.- Seventh Day Adventist.- Sikhism.- Part 3: Modern Approaches to End of Life: Spiritual Care at the End of Life.- Death Doula.- Non-traditional end-of-life options and remembrances.