Upfront with the Archbishop

96. Facing Our Discomfort with Death and Suffering: A Catholic Doctor and Archbishop Smith Discuss Palliative Care, Losing a Parent to Dementia and How to Respond to a Request for Euthanasia

Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton Season 1 Episode 96

Join Archbishop Smith for a conversation with Dr. Lauren Girard, a palliative care and family medicine doctor from Edmonton, Alberta as they discuss why palliative care is an answer to the rise in euthanasia and assisted suicide, the sophistication of modern pain management, experiences with accompanying people in the last moments of their life, how to accompany someone who is suffering from dementia, including Archbishop Smith’s experience with his father’s dementia, and much more.

https://hopeanddignity.caedm.ca/

Dr. Lauren Girard did his medical school and Family Medicine Residency program at the University of Alberta. He worked in general family practice in the Edmonton area for five years, and has been providing primary palliative care in the community since 2021. He cares for people experiencing terminal illness both at home and in the hospice setting. Outside of medicine he is married and keeps busy caring for his two young daughters.

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Upfront with the Archbishop is a weekly podcast where our goal is to strengthen the relationship between the hierarchy and the faithful through informal conversations about our Catholic faith. Featuring Archbishop Richard Smith (Archdiocese of Edmonton, AB) and our host Jenny Connelly. Produced by Matthew Bodnarek and Jenny Connelly.

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