Rewriting the Last Chapter: A New Conversation on Death and Dying
By Dr. Carrie Hyde & Dr. Shayne Ladak
Death is one of life’s only certainties, yet it remains one of the most difficult topics to discuss. In modern healthcare, we often treat death as something to be fought at all costs, rather than a natural part of life’s journey. But what if we approached it differently? What if we honored and accepted decline, rather than fearing it?
Welcome to Rewriting the Last Chapter, a space where we challenge the current state of healthcare, especially at the end of life. Here, we seek to reshape the conversation around dying, moving beyond avoidance and resistance to one of intention, dignity, and peace.
Meet the Authors
Dr. Carrie Hyde
My passion for end-of-life care stems from a deep commitment to quality of life, ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to find peace in their final days. As a specialist in palliative medicine, I have witnessed both the challenges and the beauty of this stage of life. I believe that dying should be seen not as a failure of medicine, but as an integral part of the human experience—one that deserves respect, preparation, and the highest standard of care. As a palliative care physician, I have witnessed how the right conversations—held early and honestly—can transform the end-of-life experience. Yet, too often, our healthcare system fails to prioritize what matters most to patients in their final days. This blog is an extension of my life’s work, a space to rethink how we approach decline and dying, and to reclaim the focus on quality of life rather than just the length of it.
Dr. Shayne Ladak
Palliative and hospice medicine is more than a profession for me—it is a strong sense of purpose rooted in patient advocacy and a commitment to excellence in care. I am dedicated to ensuring that individuals with serious, life-limiting illnesses receive compassionate, holistic support that addresses not only their medical needs, but also their emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being. Through leadership in clinical programs, policy advocacy, and the integration of innovative care models, I work to expand access to high-quality palliative services, particularly in underserved communities. Mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals is also central to my mission, fostering a future where expertise, empathy, and innovation shape end-of-life care. Whether through direct patient care, research, or systemic improvements, my goal remains the same: to provide every individual with comfort, dignity, and unwavering support in their most vulnerable moments.
The Purpose of This Blog
Rewriting the Last Chapter is more than a blog—it’s a movement. We aim to bring together voices from across the spectrum of end-of-life care: physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, ethicists, caregivers, and families. We want to challenge assumptions, spark new ways of thinking, and reshape how we provide care when time is limited.
We believe that death is not a failure, but a transition—one that can be met with peace, dignity, and love when approached with the right mindset. This blog will be a place for difficult conversations, but also for hope: hope that we can do better, that we can provide care that truly aligns with what matters to people at the end of their lives.
This is an extension of our life’s work, and we hope it will become a space for yours as well.
We invite you to join us in this conversation. Let’s rewrite the last chapter together.
