Nov. 19, 2015 – Hemlock Society of San Diego Meeting
There were two main topics: HOW DOES IT WORK IN OREGON? George Eighmey, lawyer, former legislator and director of the Oregon Compassion & Choices program for the first 12 years of its existence discussed how doctors are recruited, family involvement, the role of volunteers, hospice’s attitude, and the now exorbitant price of medications. George is Vice President of DDNC (Death with Dignity National Center)
WHAT WILL HOSPICE DO UNDER THE LAW? Dr. Glenn Panzer is Chief Medical Officer of Elizabeth Hospice with which he has been associated for 13 years. He specializes in geriatric medicine and palliative care. He discussed what he sees as the hospice role in the new law.
Part 1:
Part 2: Question & Answer Period Video Q&A discusses:
role of hospice
Brittany Maynard not using hospice
Alzheimer’s and Dementia, MS, Parkinsons, diagnoses that do not qualify for relief under the California End of Life Option Act
voluntarily stopping eating and drinking (VSED)
failure to thrive
desire for extension of time period for qualifying under the law to beyond 6 months to live
training for implementing the End of Life Option Act
the 6-months or less requirement of the law and how death is not really predictable
doctors’ hesitance to discuss death and/or recommend hospice
4/30/2026 From Dorset, England, Sean Davison, Ph.D. (microbiology)., discusses the legal challenges he has faced, including arrests and sentencing for assisting people in their efforts to die with dignity on their own terms. He also briefly discusses Voluntary Assisted Dying via Swiss clinics. Sean served for 5 years as the head of the World Federation of Right to Die Societies, worked with Pegasos Swiss Clinic, and is the author of 3 books.
March 29, 2026
Michelle Witte, FEN's newest Executive Director, spoke to the Hemlock Society of San Diego, sharing updates on FEN’s leadership transitions, the current state and promise of the Exit Guide Program, future plans, and insights into the most recent legal challenge. Q&A with the audience followed her presentation.
Kathryn Tucker, JD is the Executive Director of the End-of-Life Liberty Project, Special Advocacy Advisor of the National Psychedelics Association, and Founding Board Member of the Psychedelic Bar Association. She has worked for over 3 decades to expand choice at the end of life. In this lecture recorded February 14, 2026, Kathryn discusses the ongoing effort to allow people facing death to seek relief from psychological suffering and die gently through psychedelic therapy. She challenges us to rethink one of life’s most universal experiences: dying.
Videography by Michael Daniels Phone 858-202-0507
While current medical advances help us live longer, they often fail to ensure a life of sufficient quality and dignity, especially for those facing Alzheimer’s or other dementias. This presentation by Thaddeus Mason Pope, JD examines four well-established end-of-life choices as well as five emerging choices. It also examines three theoretical options that push the boundaries of what may one day be legally possible in the U.S. Some of these ideas challenge public comfort and policy. But all are grounded in compassion, reason, and respect for personal choice. We hope you benefit from this informed and courageous discussion about how we might expand end-of-life options for aging Americans in the years ahead. https://www.thaddeuspope.com/
