In South Carolina, we are declaring all of April as South Carolina Healthcare Decisions Month to inspire, educate, and empower the public and health care providers about the importance of advance care planning.

It is often the case that advance care planning occurs in a clinical setting. But engagement should expand beyond the health care system, however, to meet people where they live, work, and pray.

Health care professionals, whether physicians, nurses or social workers, may feel uncomfortable engaging with patients and families in advance care planning conversations. But, there is good news.

When it comes to advance care planning, we believe in leading by example. This means first conducting your own advance care planning and encouraging those around you—whether friends, family or colleagues to do the same.

In South Carolina, we are declaring all of April as South Carolina Health Care Decisions Month to inspire, educate, and empower the public and health care providers about the importance of advance care planning.