Health Humanities Snack and Chat: Stories From a Death Doula
Posted on October 13, 2026
Cathy O'Keefe
The Whiddon College of Medicine will host ”Stories From a Death Doula,” a Health Humanities Snack and Chat, from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20.
The session, which offers 1 CME credit, will be held in person at the Biomedical Library, room 222A, or via Zoom: https://southalabama.zoom.us/j/99123031019.
Join us for reflections from and conversation with Cathy O'Keefe, who spent decades working as an art and recreational therapist with patients across USA Health. She will discuss how her therapeutic background became integrated into her end-of-life doula practice and general philosophy of supportive end-of-life care.
Learning Outcomes
- Explain the role of a death doula, whom they serve, and how this role complements the care team, in order to lead and collaborate more effectively in end-of-life care.
- Describe insights from a death doula that students, faculty, and clinicians can use to strengthen their own communication with patients and families, and to teach and mentor learners about death and dying.
The content of this presentation covers:
- The role that end-of-life doulas play in covering imminent death
- The nature of the help provided
- The training recommended for an end-of-life doula
- The physician's role in explaining this option to patients and families
For questions, contact Peyton McElroy, Ph.D., assistant professor of medical education, at pmcelroy@southalabama.edu.
