Each year the Department of Gerontology offers the popular lecture series, “Begin With the End in Mind" about end-of-life planning. A special thanks to Tom Osborne, Ph.D., former Nebraska Cornhuskers football coach, for inspiring us to hold the Begin with the End in Mind series!
Join us for the 11th Annual Begin With the End in Mind Speaker Series!
Register Now
All lectures in this series will take place from 1–2 P.M. at the Thompson Alumni Center and will also be simulcast on Zoom.
April 11, 2025
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Dr. Steve Doran – Board-certified neurosurgeon, ordained deacon, and bioethicist for the Archdiocese of Omaha and author of To Die Well.
- Lecture title: To Die Well
June 27, 2025
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Josh Planos – APR, Vice President of Marketing, Communications & Public Relations for the Better Business Bureau and a freelance writer.
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Lecture title: Stay Safe, Stay Smart: Scam Prevention Best Practices from BBB
If you have a question about the series, contact the UNO Department of Gerontology at 402.554.2272 or Kara Negley at knegley@unomaha.edu.
Past Speakers:
2025
Denise Craft, Craft Lifestyle Management
Anne Marcotte, Will and Power of Attorney Fundamentals
2024
Michael James, textile artist and writer, Emeritus Professor and Chair, Dept. of Textiles at UNL, author of Dear Judy–A Love Story Rewritten by Alzheimer’s
Mary Lou Buss, MSW, PhD -- The power of reflecting on grief practices at each stage of the grief journey.
2023
Katie Ransdell, MS, CCLS - Grief and Loss
Cassidy Taladay-Carter, MA & PhD student in Communication Studies - UNL - Bereavement Stories and End-of-Life Disparities
David M. Thompson, PhD, JD - Legal Aspects at End-of-Life
Margaret Schaefer, Centralized Intake Managing Attorney, Legal Aid of Nebraska - Legal Aspects of Death and Dying
2022
Margaret Schaefer, JD - Legal Aspects and End-of-Life
Mark Gilbert, Ph.D. - Art and End-of-Life
Physician Panel - Palliative Care
2020
Tom Belford, John A. Gentleman Mortuaries. TOPIC: Funeral planning and preparation.
Mindy Crouch, LCSW, LIMHP, Pando Geriatric Counseling. TOPIC: Tears are normal--coping with grief.
2019
Kerry Beldin, Ph.D. TOPIC: The gift of illness.
Melissa Johnson, M.D. TOPIC: The basics of palliative care.
Abby McConnaughhay, JD, MA. TOPIC: Legal issues at end of life.
2018
Cathy Fox, MSW of Grief 's Journey. TOPIC: Disenfranchised Grief: A grief not recognized by others.
Gary George, Exec. Dir. Josie Harper House. TOPIC: Spiritual Aspects: End of life from a hospice perspective.
Dr. Amy Haddad, Creighton University. TOPIC: Advance Directives: The ups and downs.
2017
Marcia Adler, Ph.D., R.N. Director of UNO Health. TOPIC: Women’s retirement experiences.
Timothy Lenaghan, Legal Aid of Nebraska. TOPIC: How to ensure your wishes are carried out at end of life.
2016
Ron Jensen, JD, Baird Holm Law. TOPIC: Prevention of financial abuse through effective estate planning.
Domingo Maynes, III, MD, CHI Health. TOPIC: Palliative care.
2015
Shane Kotok, MS. TOPIC: Writing your ethical will.
Margaret Schaefer, JD, Elder Access Line/Legal Aid of Nebraska. TOPIC: Discussing the legal aspects at end of life.
2014
Paige Toller and Dr. Julie Masters, University Nebraska Omaha. TOPIC: Write your own obituary.
Tom Belford, Owner, John A. Gentleman Mortuaries. TOPIC: – Plan your funeral/memorial service.
Helen Chapple, Creighton University. TOPIC: Talk about your wishes: It’s all about the conversation.