Disclosure Information

In accordance with the ACCME Accreditation Criteria, the American College of Surgeons must ensure that anyone in a position to control the content of the educational activity (planners and speakers/authors/discussants/moderators) has disclosed all financial relationships with any commercial interest (termed by the ACCME as “ineligible companies”, defined below) held in the last 24 months (see below for definitions). Please note that first authors were required to collect and submit disclosure information on behalf all other authors/contributors, if applicable.

Ineligible company

The ACCME defines an “ineligible company” as any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services used on or consumed by patients. Providers of clinical services directly to patients are NOT included in this definition.

Financial Relationships

Relationships in which the individual benefits by receiving a salary, royalty, intellectual property rights, consulting fee, honoraria, ownership interest (e.g., stocks, stock options or other ownership interest, excluding diversified mutual funds), or other financial benefit.  Financial benefits are usually associated with roles such as employment, management position, independent contractor (including contracted research), consulting, speaking and teaching, membership on advisory committees or review panels, board membership, and other activities from which remuneration is received, or expected.

Conflict of Interest

Circumstances create a conflict of interest when an individual has an opportunity to affect CME content about products or services of an ineligible company with which he/she has a financial relationship.

The ACCME also requires that ACS manage any reported conflict and eliminate the potential for bias during the educational activity.  Any conflicts noted below have been managed to our satisfaction. The disclosure information is intended to identify any commercial relationships and allow learners to form their own judgments. However, if you perceive a bias during the educational activity, please report it on the evaluation. 

Course Directors

Diane E. Meier, MD, FACP, FAAHPM, Founder, Director Emerita and Strategic Medical Advisor, Center to Advance Palliative Care

Drew Rosielle, MD, FAAHPM, System Medical Director, Palliative Care M Health Fairview

Course Faculty 

Kacey Boyle, RN, MSPC, CHPN. Palliative Care Specialist, The University of Vermont Medical Center

Constance Dahlin, MSN, ANP-BC, ACHPN, FPCN, FAAN. Consultant, Center to Advance Palliative Care

Andrew E. Esch, MD, MBA. Senior Education Advisor, Center to Advance Palliative Care

Jonathan Fischer, MD. Palliative Medicine Specialist, Associate Consulting Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Duke Health

Peer Reviewers

Sherika Newman, DO. Associate Medical Director, CenterWell Primary Care Anywhere-Georgia*

Caroline Cruickshank, BSN, RN. George Washington University Hospital

Sophie Rotax, BSN, RN. George Washington University Hospital

Elizabeth Jurczak, LMSW. University of Connecticut School of Social Work

*indicates ABIM Peer Reviewer

Course Artist

Kriota Willberg, MFA-IA, LMT. CAPC Artist-in-Residence