Invite Dr. Robert W. Buckingham to Inspire Your Audience

Professor Emeritus of Public Health, University of Michigan | Pioneer of the U.S. Hospice Movement | Author of 12 Books on Life, Death, and Meaning

For over five decades, Dr. Robert W. Buckingham has inspired audiences across the globe with profound lessons learned at the bedside of the dying. 

As one of America’s most prolific hospice authors and co-founder of the nation’s first hospice program in New Haven, his talks blend authentic patient stories, scientific expertise, and timeless wisdom about what truly matters in life.

Keynote Topics

  1. Lessons from My Patient-Teachers: Discover how conversations with the dying reveal life’s deepest truths about meaning, love, and forgiveness.

  2. People Die as They Live: A powerful exploration of how our choices and emotions shape the way we face the end of life—and how to live with intention now.

  3. The Birth of Hospice in America: First-hand insights from the pioneer who helped establish Hospice of New Haven in 1974, sparking a movement that changed end-of-life care worldwide.

  4. Global Lessons in Compassion: Stories from 81 hospice programs developed internationally, including the first children’s hospice for AIDS patients in Thailand.

  5. Leadership in Public Health: Lessons from decades of building health systems and compassionate care networks across continents.

  6. Living Longer with Better Health: With more people living into their 80s, 90s, and beyond, how can we add life to years, not just years to life? Drawing on 50 years of public health leadership and hospice care, Dr. Buckingham explores how purpose, mindset, and community shape both longevity and quality of life — and what individuals, families, and organizations can do now to promote healthy aging.

Why Audiences Connect with Dr. Buckingham

Authentic Stories: 

Real patient experiences that open hearts and shift perspectives.

Global Humanitarian Impact: 

A track record of saving lives and restoring dignity in over 80 communities worldwide.

Academic Excellence:

Professor Emeritus, University of Michigan; Yale graduate; published researcher.