“Who Gets to Decide How You Will Die?”

Barbara Mancini’s 93 year old father prepared for the end of life with an advanced directive, a healthcare proxy and a hospice. Yet he was subjected to unwanted medical treatment in defiance of his wishes. His daughter endured a prolonged criminal prosecution for “aiding an attempted suicide.” Her case sparked outrage and condemnation in the media and was ultimately dismissed. She has spoken widely about her case in over 90 events in seventeen states. She has done numerous radio and television interviews, including NPR radio productions and a widely broadcast interview on CBS’s 60 Minutes with Anderson Cooper. She has met with legislators to discuss end-of-life choice and has provided testimony at legislative committee hearings.

Barbara will show how dying can be fraught with unanticipated perils for the person and caregivers. Vaguely-worded criminal statutes and perverse incentives are some of the factors that may confront well-intentioned families in caring for their loved ones.

Barbara Mancini has been a nurse for over 30 years. She has a master’s degree in burn, emergency, and trauma nursing, and has spent most of her career in emergency nursing. Her nursing experience includes working with Native Americans for the Indian Health Service on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota in the early 1990’s. She was born and raised in Pottsville , Pennsylvania. She lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with her husband, Joe, and their two daughters.