Caitlyn Carlson
Project Manager, IHI
When I was in kindergarten, my dad died unexpectedly. There were no decisions to be made and no earlier conversations about wishes to be considered. It just happened. That significant event changed my mom, brother, and me, for better or worse. Sometimes I think it changed us for better because it forced the three of us to grow up being very aware of our own mortality. This has led to numerous conversations about end-of-life care between my mom and me at varying milestones such as minor surgical procedures, when I have traveled abroad, and around the anniversary of my dad’s death.
"Having the opportunity to work with The Conversation Project team has also reenergized these conversations between us."
Having the opportunity to work with The Conversation Project team has also reenergized these conversations between us. I know that as long as she can sit at her favorite spots on the Cape with my brother and me by her side then it’s ok. This may change in the upcoming years, but I know what to do right now — and right now, that’s enough.
Caitlyn Carlson, Project Manager, has worked at The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) since 2007. She currently works both on the new business development team at IHI as well as The Conversation Project. Her work on The Conversation Project began in September 2011. She obtained her MBA from the Simmons School of Management in 2012.
