SHUKATSU (終活) Register for Sat., Nov. 23, at 3 p.m.; DEADLINE Nov. 20)
End-of-Life Seminars at Buddhist Temple of San Diego
A Life Well-Lived includes a Death Well-Planned
Our First Seminar is Saturday, Nov. 23, at 3 p.m. in the Annex Hall at the Buddhist Temple of San Diego, 2929 Market Street, San Diego, CA 92102.
Registration is free but required at the Temple, info@btsd.net or call 619-239-0896.
Lasts 90 minutes; light refreshments will be served.
Shukatsu is a modern concept in Japan and refers to the many aspects of end-of-life planning. Without planning, one’s death causes anguish for loved ones, as difficult decisions are rushed during a period of emotional distress. Such difficulties can be avoided with good planning for easier legal, medical, and emotional outcomes.
First of a Series: Saturday, Nov 23, the Buddhist Temple of San Diego will host the first in a series of seminars organized by Mitsuo Tomita, M.D., local retired family physician, and will feature local experts joining him in sharing information and moderating discussion. The event will run from 3 to 4:30 p.m., followed by light refreshments.
Sessions will cover the topics of advance care planning, POLST (Portable Medical Orders), dementia directives, funeral planning and natural alternatives, role of death doulas, how to avoid a “bad” death, Social Security and Medicare, and more.
In this first session, Dr. Tomita will be joined with Shuji Masuda, RN, who is a certified Shukatsu counselor in Japan, and Akiko Morimoto, RN, CHPN, is a certified hospice nurse and palliative care nurse (CHPN) and is a team manager at Apreva Hospice.
This and future sessions will be held in the temple’s Annex Hall, the top level of the two-story building in the southeast corner of the temple campus, at 2929 Market Street. Access is by stairs or elevator via the main temple building. For growing families, onsite childcare is available during the seminar. Future dates of the seminar include Saturdays on Jan. 25, March 22, and May 17.
Download Flyer for Friends and Family
Please RSVP to pre-register for the Nov. 23 seminar by Nov. 20 via email or phone call to the temple at info@btsd.net or 619-239-0896. When you contact the temple, please let us know if you will require childcare. The seminar is free of charge, donations are welcome.
ABOUT DR. Mitsuo Tomita, M.D., Retired
Prior to medical school, Dr. Mitsuo Tomita attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where he graduated with honors, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa. He received his M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) from the University California San Francisco in 1972 and spent three more years in the UCSF Fresno Family Medicine Residency Program.
Then, at Kaiser Permanente San Diego Dr. Tomita was a primary care physician, with a subspecialty in general family medicine, from August 1975, serving over 33 years.
Following retirement in 2008 he worked part-time as a locum tenens (“to hold the place of”) doctor for two community health organizations, as needed: the United Health Center of the San Joaquin Valley in Earlimart, California (2010-2014) and the Healthpoint Community Health Center in Bothell, Washington (2011-2013).
Dr. Tomita remains active in the San Diego community, currently serving on the board of the San Diego Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL).
Previously Dr. Tomita served on the Board of Directors of the Union of Pan Asian Communities (UPAC), LEAD San Diego (a leadership affiliate of the San Diego Regional Center of Commerce), and Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest. Until his retirement, he taught medical students and residents as an Assistant Clinical Professor on the voluntary teaching staff of the UCSD School of Medicine.
His interest in end-of-life decisions is reflected in his long-time membership in the Hemlock Society and Compassion and Choices.
The Temple is offering these seminars for the community as part of our mission.
MISSION STATEMENT OF THE BUDDHIST TEMPLE OF SAN DIEGO
The mission of the Buddhist Temple of San Diego is to share the teachings of the Buddha.
We strive to sustain and grow the Temple's presence by cultivating the values of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism in our community through religious practice, cultural activities, and educational programs.