PHorum: Perspectives in Healthcare is VNA Health’s community healthcare symposium where national, regional, and local healthcare leaders gather discuss relevant issues that affect our health and well-being. Started in 2014, this distinguished symposium attracts hundreds of participants annually, and fosters collaboration among many voices.
We invite our community members to join us for PHorum 2025 on Thursday, March 20 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara to learn more about how Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other aging ailments impacts not only the afflicted person, but also family members and our communities.
PHorum 2025 will feature Golden Globe & Emmy Award Winner JANE SEYMOUR, OBE and a screening of her film RUBY’S CHOICE. Following the film, there will be a panel discussion Moderated by KIERAN SHAH, CHPCA, VNA Health President & CEO to explore the current research on Alzheimer’s and the care challenges and options for caregivers.
Nearly 7 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease; and over 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Alzheimer’s disease is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States – and currently, there is no cure.
How prepared are we to care for those afflicted with Alzheimer’s AND for the caregivers caring for the afflicted?
Join us for an evening with Jane Seymour and a screening of her film Ruby’s Choice, a poignant tale about Ruby, a grandmother, who has been living alone with undiagnosed dementia; and the impact it has on her and her family when she is no longer able to live independently. Ruby’s Choice will resonate with audiences touched by dementia, while offering hope and inspiration to live life to the fullest.
Admission to PHorum 2025 is free with advanced registration online.
2.5 RN & LVN CE HOURS AVAILABLE*
* Provider, Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care Santa Barbara DBA VNA Health, approved by the California Board of Registered Nurses, Provider #CEP5310 for 2.5 contact hours.
RNs & LVNs: Please click down the “Continuing Education Units” field in the Registration Form to indicate that “I will be attending to receive CEs.” Questions? Please call 805-617-7765.
VNA Health President & CEO
THANK YOU TO OUR 2025 SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS
Carpinteria Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group
Mara Abboud
Alzheimer’s Association
Vince Caballero
Golden Hawk Protea
Fishman-Osti Company
Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
Mullen & Henzel
Rona Barrett Foundation
Annual PHorum Events
| 2022 | WISDOM OF GRIEF explored loss and bereavement from a cultural, spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional perspective. Four notable speakers and a panel discussion moderated by Jerry Roberts discussed the range of grief and its impact on our well-being, ways to promote health through the grief journey, and tools to support grieving individuals. Panelists included Michele Neff Hernandez; Janet Hranicky, MD, PhD; Mariela Marin, MA, MFT; and William Peters, MA, MEd, MFT. There was an exhibit area for mental wellness resources from community providers. The Hutton Parker Foundation was our 2022 PHorum Presenting Sponsor. |
| 2021 | ALZHEIMER’S & CAREGIVING – The unfortunate reality is that people with Alzheimer’s and other kinds of dementia have become the largest group of patients we care for at VNA Health. Actress Jane Seymour presents the documentary, I’LL BE ME, a touching and informative film about Oscar® Nominee, GRAMMY® Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, and Country Music Hall of Fame member Glen Campbell, and caregiving for his Alzheimer’s Disease.
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| 2020 | PHENOMENAL RESEARCH ON END-OF-LIFE EXPERIENCES – Dr. Christopher Kerr returns to discuss his latest findings. In his first study, using quantifiable data, Dr. Kerr demonstrated that pre-death dreams and visions are experienced by the majority of dying patients, with positive psychological and spiritual benefits. He will now discuss recent studies which examine how such experiences help the dying grow and adapt as life ends as well as the effect of these experiences on the loved ones left behind. Afterwards, Dr. Michael Kearney, VNA Health Associate Medical Director explores with Dr. Kerr how end-of-life dreams and visions may be a profound source of meaning and comfort for the dying and the bereaved. |
| 2019 | VALIDATING DREAMS & VISIONS OF THE DYING with Dr. Christopher Kerr, a neurobiologist and CEO & Chief Medical Officer for the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care in Buffalo, New York. Dreams and visions of the dying have been well documented throughout history and across cultures; and typically, they are perceived to be deathbed delirium, hallucinations, or agitation. Dr. Kerr’s research is the first scientific study aimed to demystify and validate patients’ end-of-life experiences to understand their role in helping patients live well and die well. Join Dr. Michael Kearney, VNHC Associate Medical Director as he explores with Dr. Kerr how these end-of-life dreams and visions are characterized by a consistent sense of realism, and may be a profound source of potential meaning and comfort for the dying and bereaved. |
| 2018 | MUSIC IS MEDICINE: COMFORT & RENEWAL AFTER LOSS with a keynote performance by Gary Malkin, a multiple Emmy, Clio, and ASCAP award-winning recipient. Music is the universal language of emotion. Music therapy offers emotional support and provides an outlet for reflection and expression of feelings, ultimately improving one’s quality of life. As our community continues to recover and rebuild from the Thomas Fire and Jan 9 mudslides, VNHC offers this event in support of community healing. |
| 2017 | WHAT MATTERS MOST WHEN YOU ARE DYING – If you were dying, what would be important to you? Completing your bucket list? Getting your affairs in order? Dying well at home? Join Lani Leary, PhD and Michael Kearney, MD and learn how hospice care helps patients and families focus on what matters most. |
| 2016 | SUSTAINING THE VITALITY OF HOME HEALTH CARE – Keynote Speaker Tracey Moorhead, President & CEO, Visiting Nurse Associations of America and distinguished panel of healthcare leaders including Dr. Charles Fenzi, CEO & Chief Medical Officer, Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics; Bob Freeman, CEO, CenCal Health; Elizabeth Majestic, MS, MPH, Vice President of Population Health, Cottage Health; Rhonda Spiegel, Executive Director, Alzheimer’s Association, Dr. Takashi Wada, MD, MPH, Director & Health Officer, Santa Barbara County Public Health; and moderated by Lynda Tanner, RN, MSN, VNHC President & CEO. |
| 2015 | Local industry leaders return to discuss and share fresh perspectives in healthcare: Panel Host and Moderator Lynda Tanner, RN, MSN – VNHC President & CEO; Michael C. Bordofsky, MD; VNHC Medical Director and President of Santa Barbara Preferred Health Partners; Steven Fellows, COO & Executive Vice President, Cottage Health System; Bob Freeman, CEO, CenCal Health; Fred Kass, MD, Medical Director of Research and Wellness, Cancer Center of Santa Barbara with Sansum Clinic; and Kurt N. Ransohoff, MD, CEO and Chief Medical Officer, Sansum Clinic. |
| 2014 | Local industry leaders present their perspectives on healthcare and the impact on our community. Panel Host Lynda Tanner, RN, MSN, VNHC President & CEO; Edward S. Bentley, MD, Santa Barbara Gastroenterology Medical Group; Bob Freeman, CEO, CenCal Health; Fred C. Kass, MD, Medical Director of Research and Wellness, Cancer Center Santa Barbara with Sansum Clinic; Kurt N. Ransohoff, MD, CEO and Chief Medical Officer, Sansum Clinic; Ron Werft, President & CEO, Cottage Health System; and Panel Moderator Michael C. Bordofsky, MD, VNHC Medical Director. |
