Welcome to Our Conversation

Gail Cason-Reiser , (left) Death Doula, has been a strong, outspoken, patient advocate since contacting a life-threatening illness and beginning her own battle over 40 years ago. In addition, she was the devoted caregiver to her husband during his battle with cancer. She has led support groups and given individual counseling to those living with life-threatening and terminal illness and to their significant others, families, and friends. A frequent speaker on death and dying issues, she gives lectures to the public and caregiving professionals, provides in-service training, and often is requested to eulogize at memorials and funerals. A former business executive, she is now devoted to providing a voice for, and in support of, patients.

Michael J. Demoratz , (right) Ph.D., MSW, LCSW, CCM, has over 35 years’ experience in hospice and palliative care. Nationally, as a recognized expert (Case Manager of the Year Award, CMSA), he has presented at hundreds of conferences and published numerous articles on end-of-life, bereavement, pain management, and catastrophic case management. He is a Board Member of the Commission for Case Manager Certification and was a 6-year former Board Member of the Coalition for Compassionate Care of California. Currently, he provides consulting services to the Memorial Healthcare System for patients and families seeking hospice and palliative care support. He has provided support for over 10,000 patients and families.