Sabiha Bandali at the ICAIR Conference 2025, Jaffari Community Centre, Toronto.
Speaker
Sabiha Bandali is a medical social worker with a focus in hospice care. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin, Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champagne and Master of Science in Palliative Care from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. In her role as a hospice social worker, Sabiha has had the honor of accompanying patients and families from different backgrounds, cultures, and life events, through their end-of-life experiences. From informational sessions and in-home visits where difficult conversations are facilitated, decisions made, and healing fostered, she has gained a deeper appreciation and understanding of human suffering and resilience, fueling her passion to uphold palliative care practices by making space for such. In addition, Sabiha enjoys participating in educational opportunities and has been presenting locally on several palliative and hospice care topics. She is also an adjunct professor teaching graduate level studies in palliative care.
In this talk
- 0:00 · Opening and Purpose
- 1:02 · Who I Am and Why This Matters
- 2:06 · Why End-of-Life Is More Complex Today
- 3:22 · The Human Struggle With Death
- 4:40 · Three Types of Illness
- 6:15 · Why These Conversations Are Needed
- 7:16 · Four Community Challenges
- 8:00 · Preserving Life at All Costs
- 9:22 · Suffering, Sin, and Pain Relief
- 10:24 · Advance Care Planning and “Playing God”
- 12:25 · Attachment and Letting Go
- 14:25 · Grief, Guilt, and Healing
- 15:00 · Closing Reflection and Du’a