I’ve had experience, as a healthcare executive, seeing the results of people who did not have advance care plans, and their families floundered as a result. I hope my involvement with Light the Legacy can help spread the word and can assist with putting systems in place to make ACP something that is in place for everyone.

Working as a hospitalist physician required me to manage countless family conferences in end of life situations. Commonly a health care directive was not available, or too vague to provide direction to loved ones. I saw this as a huge missed opportunity for both patients and families, which has motivated me to help promote advance care planning in our community.

Hello! My name is Sarah Schmidt and I have a heart for the elderly and end-of-life planning. I have been
a licensed Mortician for 20+ years, served as Chaplain in a long-term care setting, and am currently licensed as an Assisted Living Director. I was first introduced to Light The Legacy approximately 2015- 2016. At the time, I was very focused on Seniors and grief. One of the ways to relieve some of the stress at the time of death is to plan ahead. Funeral details are one way of planning, but Light The Legacy brings in another key component of advanced planning through health care directives and they all tie together the umbrella of end-of-life conversations. I’m looking forward to serving on the Board of Directors and spending time collaborating with a team that brings all sorts of backgrounds and experiences to the table!

Working as a hospitalist physician required me to manage countless family conferences in end of life situations. Commonly a health care directive was not available, or too vague to provide direction to loved ones. I saw this as a huge missed opportunity for both patients and families, which has motivated me to help promote advance care planning in our community.

Advance care planning is crucial to each of us receiving the kind of health care we want. Light the Legacy is educating members of our community on the importance of this work and I am honored to be a part of it.

With 30+ years in healthcare and 17+ years as a Deacon in the Catholic Church, I have journeyed with many individuals transitioning from life to death. Planning for that transition by having a Advanced Care Plan in place lifts the burden off the individual and is a gift for his or her family knowing that their end-of-life wishes will be honored.