Speaking from a medical and bioethics perspective, Dr. Paul Zeni and Bob Parke discuss the many strengths of palliative care including opportunity for legacy, individualized support, and grief counseling. Dr. Zeni contrasts the broad scope of palliative care potential against the real side of MAiD - what MAiD doesn’t provide. Parke highlights the importance of advance care planning as the gift you give yourself, your loved ones, and the healthcare team.

Dr. Paul Zeni is a family physician in Georgetown, ON. He shares a family practice with his wife, Dr. Deborah Zeni (a speaker at our 2024 Life Talks Conference), and together they provide medical care for all ages—including prenatal care and palliative care.

Bob Parke is a bioethicist in Toronto, ON with a keen interest in the everyday ethical issues of transitions and care planning. He has been involved in palliative care throughout his career and spent many years as a bioethicist at Humber River Hospital. Bob is involved in a provincial initiative to improve palliative care for individuals with intellectual disabilities.