Meet Our Speakers!
WASHAA 6th Annual Meeting | October 5, 2018
Conscious Living & Dying: Health Advocacy Planning
Brad Lichtenstein, ND, BCB, Physician, Writer, Educator
Brad Lichtenstein
Bastyr University
Dr. Brad Lichtenstein believes in the power of breath to restore health and balance. As a naturopathic physician in private practice and a professor at Bastyr University for over two decades, Dr. Lichtenstein has helped people embody the lives they want to live. His approach integrates naturopathic medicine, mind-body medicine and biofeedback, depth & somatic psychology, Eastern contemplative practices, yoga and movement, bodywork and end-of-life care. He participated in a joint research study between the University of Washington and Bastyr University where he provided over 500 guided meditations to hospice patients. His articles have appeared in several publications and journals and he speaks nationally on topics ranging from stress-reduction, mindfulness and health, mind-body approaches to healing trauma, and issues surrounding end-of-life.
Bastyr University
Dr. Brad Lichtenstein believes in the power of breath to restore health and balance. As a naturopathic physician in private practice and a professor at Bastyr University for over two decades, Dr. Lichtenstein has helped people embody the lives they want to live. His approach integrates naturopathic medicine, mind-body medicine and biofeedback, depth & somatic psychology, Eastern contemplative practices, yoga and movement, bodywork and end-of-life care. He participated in a joint research study between the University of Washington and Bastyr University where he provided over 500 guided meditations to hospice patients. His articles have appeared in several publications and journals and he speaks nationally on topics ranging from stress-reduction, mindfulness and health, mind-body approaches to healing trauma, and issues surrounding end-of-life.
Robin Shapiro, WASHAA Board Chair
Robin Shapiro
WASHAA
Ms. Shapiro is currently Board Chair and co-founder of the Washington State Health Advocacy Association (WASHAA). She has a distinguished history advocating for patient-centric focus in health care and mobilizing support for that mission. She founded award-winning businesses, including HPG LLC. She co-founded the first independent health advocacy company in WA state in 2008. She regularly lectures on advocacy topics, including: The ABCs of an Effective Doctor Visit and Safe & Sound in the Hospital.
WASHAA
Ms. Shapiro is currently Board Chair and co-founder of the Washington State Health Advocacy Association (WASHAA). She has a distinguished history advocating for patient-centric focus in health care and mobilizing support for that mission. She founded award-winning businesses, including HPG LLC. She co-founded the first independent health advocacy company in WA state in 2008. She regularly lectures on advocacy topics, including: The ABCs of an Effective Doctor Visit and Safe & Sound in the Hospital.
Barak Gaster, MD, Professor of Medicine, University of Washington
Barak Gaster
University of Washington
Dr. Gaster is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington. He obtained an MD from UCSF followed by internal medicine training at UW. He is a primary care physician, providing care for more than 20 years while also developing research and educational curriculum. His focus now is developing a program to identify dementia earlier and help patients and families navigate the stages of this disease.
University of Washington
Dr. Gaster is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington. He obtained an MD from UCSF followed by internal medicine training at UW. He is a primary care physician, providing care for more than 20 years while also developing research and educational curriculum. His focus now is developing a program to identify dementia earlier and help patients and families navigate the stages of this disease.
Laurie Riepe, MA, LMHC, Psychotherapist, Speaker, Presenter, Private Practice
Laurie Riepe
Laurie Riepe Therapy
Dr. Laurie Riepe, MA LMHC, likes to get to the heart of the matter. When her husband used the Death with Dignity Act in 2011, she thought – we all need help to face the hard stuff. Laurie inspires us to expand what we know about the possibilities of love and courage at the end of life. She speaks, educates and publishes on conscious death and grieving, and works as a psychotherapist in private practice in Seattle. www.laurieriepetherapy.com
Laurie Riepe Therapy
Dr. Laurie Riepe, MA LMHC, likes to get to the heart of the matter. When her husband used the Death with Dignity Act in 2011, she thought – we all need help to face the hard stuff. Laurie inspires us to expand what we know about the possibilities of love and courage at the end of life. She speaks, educates and publishes on conscious death and grieving, and works as a psychotherapist in private practice in Seattle. www.laurieriepetherapy.com
Beth Droppert, RN, BSN
Beth Droppert
NAHAC & WASHAA
Beth has demonstrated a long-lived passion for healthcare advocacy, after a 35-year career in nursing, where she specialized Critical Care Nursing. In 2008, she co-founded Allied Health Advocates. She is a Founding and Advisory Board Member of the National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants (NAHAC). She has been involved in the national process of credentialing patient advocates. She also co-founded and is a current Vice Chair of the Washington State Health Advocacy Association (WASHAA).
NAHAC & WASHAA
Beth has demonstrated a long-lived passion for healthcare advocacy, after a 35-year career in nursing, where she specialized Critical Care Nursing. In 2008, she co-founded Allied Health Advocates. She is a Founding and Advisory Board Member of the National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants (NAHAC). She has been involved in the national process of credentialing patient advocates. She also co-founded and is a current Vice Chair of the Washington State Health Advocacy Association (WASHAA).
Hope Druckman, MD, Speck Health
Hope Druckman
Speck Health
Dr. Druckman is internal medicine specialist in Seattle, WA. She has held positions on the Palliative Care Committee and Bioethics Committee at Virginia Mason Medical Center, the Executive Committee at Harvard Medical Health Plan, and as the Medical Director at Harborview Sexual Assault Center. She is a member of the King County Medical Society and the Washington State Medical Society and has triple board certifications in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Hospice Care & Palliative Medicine.
Speck Health
Dr. Druckman is internal medicine specialist in Seattle, WA. She has held positions on the Palliative Care Committee and Bioethics Committee at Virginia Mason Medical Center, the Executive Committee at Harvard Medical Health Plan, and as the Medical Director at Harborview Sexual Assault Center. She is a member of the King County Medical Society and the Washington State Medical Society and has triple board certifications in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Hospice Care & Palliative Medicine.
Greg Malone, MA MDiv BCC, Manager of Palliative Care Services, Swedish Medical Group
Greg Malone
Swedish Medical Group
Besides providing direct spiritual care to patients and families, Greg Malone MA MDiv BCC serves as Manager of Palliative Care Services for Swedish Health Services. Prior to Swedish, Greg served as the first palliative care spiritual care provider at UWMC where he also served as adjunct faculty for the Spiritual Care Residency program. His love for Hospice and Palliative Medicine began while being a chaplain in the home hospice setting for Providence Hospice of Seattle.
Swedish Medical Group
Besides providing direct spiritual care to patients and families, Greg Malone MA MDiv BCC serves as Manager of Palliative Care Services for Swedish Health Services. Prior to Swedish, Greg served as the first palliative care spiritual care provider at UWMC where he also served as adjunct faculty for the Spiritual Care Residency program. His love for Hospice and Palliative Medicine began while being a chaplain in the home hospice setting for Providence Hospice of Seattle.
Stephanie Mehl, RN, MS, Clinical Liaison/Community Educator at Providence Hospice of Seattle
Stephanie Mehl
Providence Hospice of Seattle
Stephanie has worked as a Clinical Liaison/Community Educator at Providence Hospice of Seattle for over 10 years helping patients and families make important end-of-life decisions and teaches professionals and in the community. She has 30 years of health care and nursing experience with special expertise in palliative/end of life care, oncology, behavioral health/counseling, and clinical research. She has worked in several academic settings, including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.
Providence Hospice of Seattle
Stephanie has worked as a Clinical Liaison/Community Educator at Providence Hospice of Seattle for over 10 years helping patients and families make important end-of-life decisions and teaches professionals and in the community. She has 30 years of health care and nursing experience with special expertise in palliative/end of life care, oncology, behavioral health/counseling, and clinical research. She has worked in several academic settings, including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.