Demystifying Palliative Care: An Intimate Discussion About Accessing and Navigating Services

Time:
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm on zoom

Platform:
ZOOM *The zoom link will be emailed to you once registered

Dr. Hardoon is a graduate of Stony Brook University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts with a Minor in Biology. He obtained his Doctor of Osteopathy from West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his internship and residency in the Department of Medicine at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn. Dr. Hardoon completed his fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx and the subsequent 4 years  after was a Palliative Care Attending Physician and served as Assistant Professor of Medicine at Albert Einstein School of Medicine. He is dual boarded in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine.

 

Dr. Hardoon joined NYCBS as the Chief physician of their Palliative Care program 4 years ago. Palliative care is a medical discipline aimed at improving the quality of life for patients with a serious, life-limiting, and advanced illness. Dr. Hardoon is dedicated to the alleviation of suffering in patients and is skilled in pain and symptom management. Becoming the Chief physician of the palliative care team, a team that will aim to ensure the physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of patients every step of the way, during treatment, and thereafter. The team will strive to be that extra layer of support for patients and their families throughout their journey. Dr. Hardoon is a certified Medical Marijuana prescriber.

Maria Lever, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker and the Clinical Supervisor at JASA’s Long Island Center for Dignity and Support, an initiative of UJA-Federation of New York.  Maria has completed numerous postgraduate training in bereavement, palliative care and end of life counseling. She has over 13 years’ postmasters experience working with clients facing life limiting, advanced illness, disabilities and caregivers. Maria provides direct care to individuals and families with serious, advance illness and those coping with a loss with the ultimate care, compassion, dignity and respect for the client’s needs/wishes and autonomy. Maria has supervised master’s level social workers, social work interns and helped organize conferences for other social work professionals in the area of caregiving, bereavement, palliative care and advanced care planning. She co-penned an article with Lori Hardoon “Caregiver Mental Health: The Invisible Pandemic” on the challenges of being a caregiver during the pandemic on SWAAY’s website. Maria also presents on other topics including of Shared Trauma and Caring for the Whole Person: The Importance of Social Determinants of Health in Community Based Palliative Care Supportive Services.

Maria joined JASA in 2016, as the clinical coordinator of the Partners in Dignity program. Her previous positions include Assistant Program Director of Waiver Services at Interim Healthcare and Chronic Care Specialist at FEGS Health and Human Services. Maria is a member of different networks, collations and alliances including the Older Adults Professional Network, Health Equity Alliance of Long Island (HEALI), Zelda Foster Studies Community and the Inter Agency Council On Aging.

Maria graduated from the University at Albany with a bachelor’s degree and received her Master’s in Social Work with a clinical concentration with individuals and families from Hunter College. Maria received her SIFI certification from Adelphi University and graduated from the Zelda Foster Studies Leadership in Palliative Care and End of Life Studies program at NYU Silver School of Social Work.

Lori Hardoon, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker and the Senior Director of JASA’s Palliative Care Supportive Services and the Long Island Center for Dignity and Support, an initiative of UJA-Federation of New York.  Lori has had extensive post-graduate training in palliative, end-of-life care, advanced care planning and grief/bereavement counseling. She also holds certificates in Palliative and End of Life Care and Spirituality and Social Work from NYU Silver School of Social Work.  Lori has over 40 years’ experience in working with and running a variety of programs for people who are facing chronic, serious, life-limiting and advanced illness, those dealing with issues of aging, bereavement/ loss, disabilities and their loved ones and caregivers. Lori created, built and lead the Partners In Dignity program (now known as JASA’s Long Island Center for Dignity and Support), Long Island Regional Care Center, an initiative of UJA-Federation of New York serving individuals and families coping with chronic, serious, life limiting and advanced illness, disabilities, and life altering circumstances since 2003.  Lori has supervised teams of master level social workers, nurses, nutritionists, spiritual care providers, physical & occupational therapists, and social work interns in the delivery of care/case management, counseling, caregiver support, bereavement counseling and advocacy.  She has provided professional trainings and community educational workshops on the multiple options for those coping with serious, advanced illnesses, advance care planning, caregiving and grief and bereavement issues. She also has presented at local, regional and national conferences for more than 35 years.  Lori Hardoon has written several articles and co-penned several other articles.

Lori joined JASA in 2016, as the director of the Partners in Dignity program. Her previous positions include being the director the Partners In Dignity program at MJHS Hospice and Palliative Care, the senior director of the Partners In Dignity program and the NHTD Waiver Services at FEGS Health and Human Services, president of Medical Pathfinders, Inc., and director of medical services at Sephardic Bikur Holim.
Lori is a member of different networks, collations and alliances including the Older Adults Professional Network, Health Equity Alliance of Long Island (HEALI) and the Inter Agency Council On Aging.

Lori graduated from Adelphi University Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa, having studied social work and elementary education. She received a Master of Social Work with clinical and administration concentrations from Adelphi University. Lori received her SIFI certification from Adelphi University.  She also holds post-master’s certificates in Palliative and End of Life Care and Spirituality and Social Work from NYU Silver School of Social Work.