St. Francis physician explains advance directives at cancer seminar

INDIANAPOLIS – It’s vital one has the ability to specify what actions should be taken for their health in the event that they are no longer able to make decisions due to illness or incapacity.

Gerald Walthall, M.D., medical director with the St. Francis Hospital Palliative Medicine team, will discuss the purpose of advance directives and why it’s important for individuals to have one at a free seminar for cancer patients and their families 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3.

This meeting is at the St. Francis Education Center, 5935 S. Emerson Ave., Suite 100. This discussion will coincide with the monthly Indianapolis Southside chapter of SPOHNC (Support for People with Head and Neck Cancer.) Ample time will be provided for participants’ questions and discussion.

This monthly support group meets the first Thursday of each month and is for anyone with oral, head or neck cancer, regardless of stage or type of cancer. Caregivers are welcome.

For more information or to register for this event, call 317-782-4422. Sponsored by the St. Francis Cancer Center, www.stfrancishospitals.org/cancer.