Identifier

OH154-S05-i01

Interview Date

5-3-2019

Abstract

Dr. Stephen Connor begins by describing some of his early professional experiences and mentors who supported him as he developed his interest in death and dying. Dr. Connor explains that after several "epiphany moments" and observing some of the death and dying practices abroad, he and several other like-minded professionals said: "You know, really, we should just start a hospice." Dr. Connor then describes his early professional experiences of co-founding some of the earliest hospice programs in the United States, which drove his career from local hospice programming to national programming and finally into the international programming, research, publications, and evidence-based practices for the new fledgling field of children's palliative care. Dr. Connor shares stories of pivotal moments from his career journey, which spans from the beginning of the pediatric palliative field, through the HIV/AIDS pandemic, all the way to the present. He explores multiple topics such as pain management, policy, program design as they relate to palliative care across the lifespan and from domestic to global socio-economic and techno-political differences. Dr. Connor explains the many ways children's palliative care has changed since the field developed, as well as some of the barriers and successes he's seen. Dr. Connor concludes with his goals for the future of pediatric palliative care to be accessible, policy protected, and serving the need for bereavement services.

Collection

Pediatric Palliative Care Oral History Project

Repository

Bernard Becker Medical Library, Washington University in St. Louis

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