We have arrived at the intersection of medicine and humanism.
At its epicenter the practice of medicine conflicts with an absolute truth – we will all die. It is also perhaps the most important social question our society faces today – the relationship between the advancing illness population and systems meant to care for them.
Over the past twenty years, I have walked this journey with thousands of individuals. I have been privileged to share this deeply intimate and uniquely human experience with people of all ages, ethnicities, and faiths.
I have spent long nights in people’s homes, Intensive Care Units, and care facilities – listening, sharing, laughing and crying.
From holding someone’s hand to changing urine-soaked sheets, I have tried to connect beyond the long, white coat. I have experienced these chapters of life as a physician, friend, teacher, and the eldest son caring for his mother and father.
I offer there is a single, unifying facet of our consciousness and the systems within which we endeavor to practice that inhibits our ability to act as true caregivers and translators of truth. It is fear – fear of life’s ambiguity.
More succinctly, fear of the unknown. Such prevents us from enriching the care narrative, as well as fulfilling our responsibilities of going beyond medicine to caring.
I urge us to seek new ways of thinking to elevate what is possible in healthcare and beyond by deepening our understanding of what it means to be a caregiver in the modern age.
The opportunities to reframe the nature of how we consider advancing illness can help us in our approach to how we care, our assimilation of clinical knowledge, and our conversations with the medical establishment and the community at large.
Allow me to share with you and your organization the pathway to caring, the pathway to healing. I look forward to exploring, listening, and learning how I can support your mission.
Hands down the most memorable and significant healthcare experience I have had so far in my caregiving journey.
Attendee, Duke Caregiver Symposium
Past Presentations
While Dr. Tim is best known for his presentation The Four Questions—a framework he has shared at numerous events and referenced in his popular TED Talk—he has also delivered a variety of other impactful presentations.
Here is a selection:
The Intersection of Medicine and Humanism: Through the Eyes of Dementia Keynote Address Duke Caregiver Symposium Durham, North Carolina
Humanity, Technology and the Evolution of Healthcare Keynote Address Princess Alexandra Hospital Health Symposium Brisbane, Australia
A Good Death: The Emotions, Ethics & Economics of Palliative Care Consilium Symposium: Bright Ideas for the Future The Centre for Independent Studies Sydney, Australia
Strategic Positioning for the Next Generation of End-of-Life Care Leadership and Advocacy Conference Leadership and Advocacy Conference National Hospice and Palliative Care Association Washington D.C.
Patient Centricity Keynote Address Annual Spring Conference Minnesota HIMSS Minneapolis, Minnesota
Bracing for Impact: What to Expect from the MA Hospice Carve-In Senior Care 360 Strategy and Solutions Conference Lincoln Healthcare Leadership National Harbor, Maryland
Palliative Care: A Different Voice in Healthcare to Help Patients Find Their Own Keynote Address Vituity Partnership Meetings Long Beach, California & Indianapolis, Indiana
Transforming the Culture of Medicine Keynote Address Annual Assembly Michigan Hospice and Palliative Care Association Kalamazoo, Michigan
Palliative Care in an ACO Fourth Annual Accountable Care Organization Summit The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform at Brookings Washington D.C.
Palliative Care in an ACO Pioneer Webinar Host and Expert Source Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Washington D.C.
The Inflection Period in Advanced Illness: When Is it Time in the Life of a Patient to Reform Our Healthcare Focus? Annual Conference American Society on Aging New Orleans, LA
Breast Cancer & Sexuality Breast Cancer Couples Retreat Mary Greeley Medical Center Ames, Iowa
Integrated Palliative Care and Technology in an ACO HIT2 Summit Institute for Health Technology Transformation New York, New York
Understanding the Financial Basics of “Population Based Care”; Palliative Care Programs for Special Populations and Medical Homes Pathways to Quality Palliative Care Center for Advancement of Palliative Care Annual Seminar Orlando, Florida
Building a Post Acute Care Playbook for Value Where the World Connects for Health Conference HIMSS Annual Assembly Las Vegas, Nevada
What Can We Do to Die Well Keynote Address Values and Ethics for Inter-professional Practice: The Patient’s Voice in End of Life Care Interprofessional Fall Symposium Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Lubbock, Texas
Chiaroscuro: Deconstructing Rembrandt in Population Health MHEI Annual Leadership Conference Maryland Healthcare Education Institute Hershey, Pennsylvania
Perspectives on Palliative Care: Beyond the Recipe – Defining, Developing and Integrating True Palliative Care Across the Healthcare Continuum Disruptive Change: Transforming to Value-Based Care Keynote North Carolina Hospital Association Summer Meeting Hilton Head, South Carolina
“Dr. Ihrig is an amazing speaker with so much insight to conversations. He offers an approach that is compassionate and caring and empowers patients make decisions on what is sacred to them, and allows providers the opportunity to have conversations in a manner that are accepted and valued by patients.” – Attendee, Creighton University ACP Symposium
“Dr. Ihrig continues to exemplify the gold standard of palliative medicine.“
“Excellent presentation. Dr. Ihrig brought humanity to the conversation. One of the best speakers I have ever heard.” Attendee, Texas – New Mexico Hospice & Palliative Care Association Annual Assembly
“Beautiful lens to witness.” – Attendee, Caring Coalition Conference
Invite Tim to Speak at Your Event
Please get in touch and let us know about your event.