Sept. 22, 1997 Contact Maureen Shine (541) 346-3145 Source: Jane Gordon, associate dean, UO School of Law (541) 346-3852 EUGENE--Physician-assisted suicide and efforts such as Oregon's Death with Dignity Act raise important and complex issues concerning the decisions individuals face at the end of their or their loved ones' lives. "End-of-Life Decisions," a conference sponsored by the University of Oregon School of Law, will help the public examine legal, ethical and medical perspectives surrounding these final life choices. The conference is free and open to the public and takes place 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 3, at the UO law school in Grayson Hall, 1101 Kincaid St. A lunch program will be offered at the Alumni Lounge, Gerlinger Hall, 1468 University St., at a cost of $15. Continuing Legal Education credits are available for a $120 fee. The conference will be divided into three sessions in which legal and ethical scholars, attorneys and physicians will examine issues including the withdrawal of life support, defining death, improving care of the terminally ill and the current state of the law. "The conference will offer a unique opportunity to talk about these issues in an interdisciplinary way," says Jane Gordon, associate dean, UO School of Law. "Rather than a debate, our goal is to offer the public some meaningful analysis of the very complex issues surrounding end-of-life decisions." The conference schedule includes: 8-8:45 a.m. Registration 8:45 a.m. Welcoming remarks from Rennard Strickland, dean, UO School of Law, and Eugene Scoles, distinguished professor emeritus, UO School of Law 9-10:15 a.m. "Personal Autonomy" will examine issues including informed consent, competency and honoring patient autonomy and access to medical records. Panelists include Theodore Falk, Ph.D., J.D., vice president and general counsel of PACC Health Plans; Patrick Dunn, M.D., practicing general internist with Portland's Health First Medical Group; and Patricia Backlar, senior scholar at the Center for Ethics in Health Care. 10:30-11:45 a.m. "Foregoing Life Support" will examine legal, medical and ethical issues surrounding the withdrawal of medically futile treatment. Panelists include Janet Billups, J.D., general counsel for Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU); Paul Bascom, M.D., practicing general internist and assistant professor of medicine, OHSU; and Bridget Carney, Ph.D., corporate director of ethics for the PeaceHealth health-care system. Noon-1:15 p.m. UO President Dave Frohnmayer will introduce keynote speaker Alexander Capron, who will deliver the address "Master or Servant? What Role for Law in Care at the End of Life?" Capron is professor of law and medicine at the University of Southern California where he also heads the Pacific Center for Health Policy and Ethics. Capron is the author of numerous books and articles on bioethics and the law. 1:30-4:30 p.m. "Facing Terminal Illness: Pain Management, Hospice, Assisted Death," will examine the current state of Oregon's law including Ballot Measures 16 and 51; efforts to improve the care of terminally ill Oregonians; and the rhetorical debate over "right-to-die" vs. "suicide." It will include a discussion of true-life situations presented to panel members by the facilitator, UO President Dave Frohnmayer, and audience members. Panel members include David Schuman, Oregon's deputy attorney general; Courtney Campbell, Ph.D., associate professor of philosophy, Oregon State University; Portland attorney Kelly Hagan; Leslie Harris, UO professor of law; Portland physician Bonnie Reagan; as well as Alexander Capron and Patrick Dunn. In addition to the UO School of Law, the conference is sponsored by the American Bar Association Senior Lawyers Division and the American Bar Association Coordinating Group on Bioethics and the Law. For more information or to make reservations, call Pearl Morgan, UO School of Law, (541) 346-1562. -30- #P-4012/Local,OrDailies,OrLaw,PDX,Special