Compassion Welcomes Two New Staff Members

Compassion in Dying Federation welcomes two new members to its staff.

Helen Beum (pronounced Bim) is the new Clinical Coordinator at the Federation. She is a Registered Nurse and provides information, consultation and emotional support to patients and families around the country where Compassion does not have local affiliates. Much of her work centers around helping patients find adequate pain and symptom relief, and gain admission to hospice. She also answers questions from physicians and other health providers about end of life issues. For patients who meet Compassion's Guidelines and Safeguards, she provides information about obtaining and self-administering medications to hasten death.

As new affiliates form in states, Helen organizes and provides training for volunteer case managers and offers ongoing affiliate support as needed. She also researches clinical topics and directs patients and families to web sites, support groups, pain centers, etc.

In her 20 years as a nurse, Helen has worked in pediatric oncology, staff development, bioethics consultation, home care, and hospice nursing. Her graduate studies included research into nurses' attitudes toward cancer treatments and dying.

Helen is a poet and novelist and wastes as much time as she can gardening. She commutes from Salem, Oregon (1 hour from Portland) 4 days a week, and works at home the other day.

Helen can be reached directly at hhb@compassionindying.org, or at the Federation office at (503) 221-9556.

Douglas Ide is the Federation's new Communications Coordinator. His task is to raise Compassion's profile and pursue its public information mission throughout the country. He serves as the media liaison at the Federation, oversees the Federation's website, and is responsible for getting this newsletter out in a timely and consistent manner.

Doug is also on hand to assist affiliates with their media and public outreach programs, and will help train interested affiliate members on how to work with the media.

Doug is a retired Army photojournalist with a wealth of experience in journalism and media relations. When he's not working, you can find him on a golf course somewhere in the greater Portland area. Doug can be reached directly at dide@compassionindying.org or at the Federation office at (503) 221-9556.