Palliative-care physician and author Ira Byock, MD, FAAHPM, will present “Saying ‘The Four Things that Matter Most’” at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, October 7, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The presentation, part of the UNESCO City of Literature Iowa City Book Festival, is free and open to the public.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. Prairie Lights bookstore will provide books for purchase, and Dr. Byock will be available to sign copies following his presentation. Pre-registration is recommended at http://bit.ly/SayingTheFourThings.

Dr. Byock will also be the keynote speaker the following morning, Monday, Oct. 8 at the professional conference “The Best Care Possible” from 8 a.m. to noon at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts.  His keynote presentation is entitled “The Best Care Possible: Clinical and Cultural Leadership in the 21^st Century.” Fees: physicians $60; students $20; all other attendees $30. For additional information or to register, please go to www.medicine.uiowa.edu/cme and click on Upcoming Programs, or go directly to http://bit.ly/BestCareConference.  The registration deadline is Friday, Oct. 5, 2018.

As one of the foremost palliative-care physicians in the country, Dr. Byock argues that how we die is among the biggest national crises facing us today. Byock’s first book, Dying Well, (1997) has become a standard in the field of hospice and palliative care. The Four Things That Matter Most, (2004) is used as a counseling tool widely by palliative care and hospice programs, as well as within pastoral care. His most recent book, The Best Care Possible (2012) tackles the crisis that surrounds serious illness and dying in America and his quest to transform care through the end of life. It has been praised by the Wall Street Journal, the Economist and other major publications, and won the annual Books for a Better Life Award in the category of Wellness.

These special events are supported by the following organizations: Iowa City Hospice, University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, Hills Bank and Trust, Mercy Iowa City, Oaknoll, US Bank, University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa College of Nursing, Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, Prairie Lights, the Senior Center, the Iowa Writers’ House, and Little Village.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact the Continuing Medical Education Division in advance at (319) 335-8599 or Jane Dohrmann at (319) 688-4214.