Advocates, Doctors Use Art To Get Chicago Talking About The Future

Patients wait in the emergency room at Cook County Hospital in Chicago on July 30, 2009.
Patients wait in the emergency room at Cook County Hospital in Chicago on July 30, 2009. AP Photo/Paul Beaty
Patients wait in the emergency room at Cook County Hospital in Chicago on July 30, 2009.
Patients wait in the emergency room at Cook County Hospital in Chicago on July 30, 2009. AP Photo/Paul Beaty

Advocates, Doctors Use Art To Get Chicago Talking About The Future

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Nothing is certain but death and taxes, which is why a day after Tax Day,  Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants Chicagoans to start having conversations about their future healthcare wishes. It’s National Healthcare Decisions Day, and Life Matters Media—a nonprofit Chicago-based group focused on promoting end-of-life planning—is spending the week using art to start “the most important conversation people aren’t having,” says group founder Randi Belisomo.

Morning Shift talks to Belisomo and pediatrician and artist Dr. Alex Thomas about what end-of-life conversations they think Chicagoans need to be having and the creative way.

GUESTS:

Randi Belisomo, president and co-founder of Life Matters Media

Dr. Alex Thomas, pediatrician and artist with National Healthcare Decisions Week