Community Education Webinars 2026
Our Community Education programs facilitate constructive conversations in the community about loss, grief and other end-of-life issues.
For information on Community Education, please contact
Leigh Bluestein, leighb@caringmatters.org or 301-990-7927
Ready or Not: Reframing Denial and Finding Grace at the Bedside
Wednesday, August 26th at 10:00am ET
Presenter: Luke Ottinger, Jr., Nurse Educator and Author
When facing the edge of hard news, it's easy to fall into the trap of denial, endless tests, and emotional isolation. But what happens when we stop fighting what we can't change and start putting our energy into simply being present? Based on the book, Ready or Not: A Bedside Companion for Your Hospice Journey, this webinar explores how caregivers and families can navigate end-of-life choices with clarity, humor, and grace.
The presentation covers the following:
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Breaking the loop of avoidance to make room for real connection.
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Redefining hope when a cure isn't on the table. Practical bedside communication strategies.
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Permitting yourself to navigate grief without a rigid blueprint.
Luke Ottinger, Jr. has a rare gift for demystifying complex medical ideas. An author, nurse educator, and consultant, he distills intimidating healthcare subjects into engaging, conversational insights. His ultimate focus is advocacy through education—empowering everyday people with the clarity and confidence they need to navigate the medical world.
Nursing is Luke’s third career, following a decade each in operations management and design. Driven by a desire to purely serve others, he went back to school in his 30's to earn his Master’s in Nursing Education.
After working frontline critical care and emergency rooms during the pandemic, Luke saw firsthand how fear and confusion isolate patients. He realized his true calling wasn't just bedside care, but breaking down barriers to health literacy so families can make informed choices.
This passion for educational advocacy inspired his book, Ready or Not: A Bedside Companion for Your Hospice Journey. Written like an honest, comforting friend, it strips away legal and medical jargon to help families understand their options and regain control during life's final chapters.