Story Spotlight

In a quiet hospital room, a social worker once found herself at a loss for words. A patient was dying, and the weight of the moment felt immense. Unsure of how to offer comfort, she turned to Dr. Rita Layson, a leader in hospice care in Greensboro, NC, and admitted, "I don't know what to say." That moment of vulnerability planted the seed for what would become "What Do I Say?"—a program designed to equip professionals, caregivers, and community members with the skills to communicate with the seriously ill and dying.

Now, more than two decades later, the "What Do I Say?" program, provided by Piedmont AHEC and AuthoraCare Collective, continues to guide participants through one of life's most difficult realities. Led now by Risa Hanau, MSW, LCSW, Clinical and Community Educator, and Debbie Garner, MSW, Social Worker, the program blends education, introspection, and shared experiences to help attendees navigate conversations about death and dying with compassion and confidence.