FEATURED STORY:
“A couple of years after retiring from the United States Department of Justice, I heard about an opportunity to volunteer as a Surrogate Decision Maker (SDMC). Shortly after completing training, I received my first assignment and have presided as the attorney panelist for 8 years time, in approximately 75-100 cases. These matters have involved decisions for clients ranging in age from their late teens to mid seventies. The medical care involved procedures such as: invasive screening procedures, like colonoscopies, spinal surgery to correct deformities, or with conditions involving medical recommendations for end of life, palliative care or even withdrawal from a respirator. My involvement in this personally fulfilling role has given me a better appreciation of the abilities, as well as the disabilities of the people being served by the SDMC program, and enabled me to gain a better understanding of the day to day efforts of their caregivers and the professionals who provide them with service. I have learned that regardless of how routine or simple a medical procedure may be that I my fellow volunteers in the SDMC program play an exceptionally important role in making the three decisions: lack or existence of capacity for the client to make a health care decision, unavailability or willingness of qualified representative to make the decision and whether the proposed treatment, when the answer to the two other questions is in the negative, is in the best interest of the patient. Making such decisions requires careful attention to the testimony and using ones skills to ask questions to obtain the information needed to make the decision. On a personal level, when it became necessary to make health care decisions for my aging parents, I felt much better equipped and emotionally able to deal with their advanced illnesses and finally hospice care decision-making.” – Joseph Liebman
The Surrogate Decision Making Committee Programs coordinate hearings for non-emergency medical and dental treatment for mentally and developmentally disabled residents, who reside in state funded facilities throughout the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Rockland, Staten Island, Westchester, Orange, Sullivan, Nassau and Suffolk counties.
The four member panel consists of an attorney, medical professional, family member (one who has been a consumer of mental health services or who have family members who have been consumers), and an advocate. The panel reviews the documentary evidence, receives testimony from the person’s treatment team and other interested parties, interviews the individual and makes three determinations:
1) Does this person have the capacity to make this decision for him/herself?
2) If not, is there a legally authorized surrogate to make this decision for the person; and
3) If not, is the proposed medical intervention in the person’s best interest?
Going through the SDMC process means:
- Viable and preferable alternative to the Courts
- Provides timely access to major medical treatment, usually within 14 days
- Expedited Hearings available
- Easily accessible to Patients and Providers
- Cost Free-no fees to the patient or their provider
- Gives the dignity to the Patient by allowing them to participate at the Hearings
- Person-centered approach to medical decision-making
- MHLS provides free legal representation for the Patient
The SDMC was started in 1986 following a review of the delay in proving timely access to major medical treatment due to the lack of an authorized decision-maker. The Surrogate Decision Making Committee hearings are held pursuant to Mental Hygiene Law Article 80. Panel determinations are, in most cases, made immediately after the hearings. EAC’s program began in June of 1999, and serves Queens, Brooklyn, Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
Consider becoming a SDMC Volunteer. Here’s what one of our volunteers had to say:
“I am so grateful to receive such a profound sense of service on the SDMC panel, since the least fortunate of our society need our ability to “speak out” for them. SDMC serves staffs and clients to empower very vulnerable people in getting much needed health care. Thank you for this privilege to serve in this way; to lift others up as a public benefactor. That’s what our society needs: institutions that encourage others! Thank you!”
~Mark Applewhite
Just click on the word “VOLUNTEER” on the bottom toolbar to contact us for more information.