University Park

Mount Nittany Medical Center offers seminar on advance directives

In observance of National Healthcare Decisions Day, Mount Nittany Medical Center will present "Make Your Healthcare Wishes Known" at 4 and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14 in the Galen and Nancy Dreibelbis Auditorium. The program is designed to educate the public about the importance of advance directives and provide assistance with creating them.

"The power of an advance directive provides a voice to those who unable to make healthcare decisions for themselves, ensuring your preferences regarding medical decisions are carried out and alleviating pressure on your family to make heart-wrenching decisions," said Kathy Dittmann, RN, director of service excellence at Mount Nittany Medical Center.

The benefits of advance directives are numerous. They provide guidance to healthcare providers when caring for patients to ensure their wishes are honored; appoint a healthcare power of attorney, selected by the patient, to make medical decisions in times of crisis; and document the preferred and unwanted medical treatments at end of life through the creation of a living will.

National Healthcare Decisions Day is an initiative to encourage patients to express their wishes regarding healthcare through conversations and the completion of advance directives.

Located in State College, Pa., Mount Nittany Medical Center is a not-for-profit, community-owned, 207-bed acute care facility leading the region in medical, surgical, outpatient, diagnostic and cancer care services. The Medical Center employs about 1,300 skilled healthcare professionals and support staff, and has more than 240 credentialed, independently-employed physicians in 43 specialties and subspecialties. Committed to moving Life Forward, Mount Nittany Medical Center is dedicated to the health and wellness of the community we serve. For more information, visit www.mountnittany.org.

Last Updated April 13, 2009

Contact