UO faculty member Elizabeth Reis lost her father earlier this year. She described the experience in a thought-provoking column published online Monday, Dec. 1, and in print in the Tuesday edition of The New York Times.

In her article, Reis, who heads the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies and serves on the ethics committee at PeaceHealth Riverbend, discusses her father's heart attack and the five days he spent in the hospital before his death.

She makes the case for improved "end of life" discussions with doctors — and more detailed discussions and clarifications with loved ones about their wishes when life-threatening situations arise. 

Her essay can be found in the Well section the NY Times under the headline "Hoping for a Good Death."