Two events on same day will shine light on religion and health care

Two events, including the annual DeVos Medical Ethics Colloquy, will discuss the role of religion in health care in afternoon and evening sessions on February 22.

The colloquy, "The Role of Religion in Health Care," will run from 6-8:10 p.m. on Monday, February 22. RSVP online at gvsu.edu/colloquy by midnight on February 18 to receive a Zoom invitation. There is no charge to attend.

Presenters are Ana S. Iltis, director of the Center for Bioethics, Health and Society and professor of philosophy at Wake Forest University; and Dr. Ryan Nash, director of The Ohio State University Center for Bioethics. P. Douglas Kindschi, director of the Kaufman Interfaith Institute, will serve as moderator.

Held biannually at Grand Valley, the colloquy series was established by the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation.

Afternoon event

In the afternoon of February 22, the West Michigan Health Care Ethics Conference, with the theme "Waiting for a Miracle: The Role of Religion in a Patient's Decision-Making," will run from 2-5 p.m.

RSVP online at gvsu.edu/colloquy by midnight on February 18 to receive a Zoom invitation. There is no charge for GVSU students, faculty or staff members; members of the general public will be charged $45.

Presenters are David Vessey, GVSU professor of philosophy, and the Rev. Joanna Bailey, spiritual care manager for Mercy Health Saint Mary's.

An interfaith panel, moderated by Douglas Kindschi, will follow. Panelists are Rabbi David J.B. Krishef, Congregation Ahavas Israel; Bishop Dennis McMurray, Renaissance Church of God in Christ; Ali Metwalli, Western Michigan University; Rev. Mark Przybysz, St. Anthony of Padua Church; and Fred Stella, West Michigan Hindu Temple.

Colloquy presenters Iltis and Nash will join Vessey and Bailey to discuss case studies following the interfaith panel. David Rzeszutko from Spectrum Health will serve as moderator.

Both events are hosted by the Office of the Vice Provost for Health with support from Spectrum Health, Mercy Health, and Metro Health University of Michigan Health.