Let’s Talk (and Laugh) About End-of-Life Planning: A Unique Community Event
End-of-life care planning is one of life’s most important conversations—yet it’s one that many avoid. Let’s change that with End of Life: Live and Unscripted!—an engaging, entertaining, and informative event that uses humor to tackle this crucial topic.
What Is End of Life: Live and Unscripted!?
Presented by the Mayo Clinic Hospice and acclaimed improv comedy group, Danger Boat Productions, this one-of-a-kind show breaks down the barriers of fear and discomfort surrounding end-of-life discussions. Combining expert insight with laughter, this event helps audiences feel more confident and informed about end-of-life care planning.
What to Expect
This interactive, improvisational event offers a thoughtful mix of education, entertainment, and conversation:
Expert Insights: Learn from Brenda Hartman, a life-threatening illness specialist and cancer survivor, and Dr. Ann McIntosh, an emergency medicine physician with decades of experience in critical care decision-making, and Dr. Cory Ingram, Mayo Clinic Hospice and Palliative Care Physician..
Improv Comedy: The Danger Boat troupe brings levity to the conversation, helping the audience warm up to complex topics in a supportive, enjoyable way.
Audience Engagement: Share stories, questions, and hopes in a safe space, with opportunities for small-group discussions.
Actionable Takeaways: Access resources and tools for starting your own end-of-life planning journey, including guidance on healthcare directives, hospice care, and more.
Dr. Ann McIntosh
Brenda Hartman, MSW
Dr. Cory Ingram, Mayo Clinic Hospice and Palliative Care Physician
Cory Ingram, M.D., M.S., FAAHPM, is a Hospice and Palliative Care Consultant at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Ingram is the Director of Quality for Mayo Clinic Hospice and the Quality and Safety Curriculum of the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship. Dr. Ingram also shares his expertise through teaching as an assistant professor of both Palliative Medicine and Family Medicine with the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science and a Co-Director of Communication in Healthcare in the Program for Professionalism and Values. Dr. Ingram is a fellow of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and has served in multiple capacities in the humanities and is the Editor in Chief of the AAHPM Quarterly and in his tenure, they are launching an Artist in Residency section to the publication. Dr. Ingram is receiving the AAHPM Humanities Award this year. He has been featured at the Canadian Virtual Hospice and holds Storytelling workshops with Canadian health care institutions. Dr. Ingram is currently working with the palliative care units in Ottawa using the 55-Word story as a modality to improve meaning, purpose and quality of life. Dr. Ingram is also completing his Narrative Medicine Certificate from the University of Toronto Narrative-Based Medicine Lab and is working on a long form documentary photographic and narrative medicine project on caregiving through the end of life to complement his transitional caregiving research. Dr. Ingram is also co-author and collaborator on a forthcoming book focused on ethical care of the frail elderly in Europe and North American and a published photographer and poet.
Brenda Hartman, MSW. LICSW is a 30+ year stage 4 ovarian cancer survivor and a clinical social worker specializing in life threatening and life ending diagnoses. She has created and presented programs to over 3000 cancer patients and their loved ones focusing on the social and emotional aspects of living and dying from cancer. Since living beyond her own life threatening diagnosis, Brenda has committed herself to helping others consciously live and consciously die.
Why Attend?
This event is not about making light of death, grief, or loss. Instead, it’s a compassionate way to demystify end-of-life planning, empowering you with the knowledge and tools to take meaningful steps for yourself and your loved ones.
Event Details
Date: March 27, 2025
Time: 6:00pm
Location: Marion Ross Performing Arts Center, 147 N. Broadway, Albert Lea, MN 56007
Tickets: Tickets can be reserved at no cost by calling the Marion Ross Theatre box office 507-377-4371
Questions: Please contact Mayo Clinic Hospice, Amy Stelpflug or Daphne Vann at 507-284-4002.
A special thank you to Naeve Health Care Foundation for making this show possible.
After Event Details
To give the community a space to share and normalize grief and loss support, Mayo Clinic Hospice Bereavement Coordinator will host a discussion at the Bayview Funeral Home 1415 State Hwy 13, Albert Lea, MN 56007 on April 3, 2025, at 5pm
Additional Resources