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A Look Back at 2019
News and Resources

What We're Reading

New Resources
Did You Know?
30 years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the groundbreaking Nancy Cruzan case , which resulted in the Court's recognition of the right of competent adults to refuse medical treatment. The recognition of the so-called "right to die," inspired Congress to pass the Patient Self-Determination Act. These events formally kicked off the modern era of advance care planning policy in the U.S.

Registering Your Advance Directive

The Vermont Advance Directive Registry (VADR) is a secure online database that stores copies of completed advance directive forms. This is a free service for Vermont residents who wish to register their advance directive and allows for improved access to health care decisions at a time of incapacity. To register an advance directive, simply complete the Registration Agreement, attach a copy of your advance directive document to the registration agreement and mail or fax the forms to:

Vermont Advance Directive Registry (VADR)
PO Box 2789
Westfield, NJ 07091-2789
FAX: 908-654-1919

Within about two weeks after sending in your documents, you will receive a confirmation letter with a username and password from the Vermont Advance Directive Registry. This letter will contain a wallet ID card with your registration ID number and stickers for your driver’s license.
Upcoming Events

National Healthcare Decisions Day
April 16, 2020
We're only 4 months away from National Healthcare Decisions Day 2020! A wide range of groups across the state are already planning to participate in a coordinated effort to raise awareness about the importance of advance care planning on this date by tabling, offering community presentations/screenings, etc. Won't you join us? For more information or to share what you're planning, please contact Sarah Brown, Community Outreach & Special Projects Consultant.

New Hospital Ethics Committee Member Training
March 2, 2020
Please save the date for a New Hospital Ethics Committee Member Training at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center on March 2, 2020 from 8am to 5pm. Additional information will be available on our website soon.
HEALTH DECISIONS is a publication of the Vermont Ethics Network.

The mission of the Vermont Ethics Network is to advance ethics in health care.
Board of Directors
E. Tobias Balivet, Esq.
Linda Cohen, JD, MHCDS
Kier Olsen DeVries, MA
Shaden Eldakar-Hein, MD, MS
Linda Hurley, RN, MS
Alden Launer, MDiv
Peg Maffitt
Hilary Ryder, MD
Staff
Cindy Bruzzese, MPA, MSB
Executive Director and Clinical Ethicist

Catrina Brackett
Executive Admin/Bookkeeper

Honorary Board Members
James L. Bernat, MD
Michelle Champoux, LICSW
Jean Mallary, RN
Robert Macauley, MD