End of life care is the topic of an Adventist Health lecture Friday, Sept. 5

Dr. Romeo Castillo completed his Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and worked as a nurse in Texas and California before entering residency training. While working as a nurse, Dr. Castillo was caring for his mother who was bedridden from a progressive neurologic condition that remained undiagnosed until the time of her death. Dr. Castillo witnessed his mother’s last breath, as she died in his arms.

While Dr. Castillo was tending to his mother, his father developed lung cancer so he was the care provider for both parents at the time. Six months after his mother’s death, his father followed.

Dr. Castillo’s personal experience caring for his parents helped him develop an interest in end of life care, especially when he started his residency training at the University of Texas in Galveston. He was the only one among the residents who had received extra training in end of life care during his elective months. After Dr. Castillo completed his training in 2003, he moved to Hanford, which he now considers home.

Dr. Castillo joined the Adventist Health medical staff in 2003. He’s the program director for the Loma Linda University Hanford Family Medicine Training program and a diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine, American Board of Holistic Medicine and Integrative Medicine. He also is certified in comprehensive acupuncture from the Pain Research Institute. Dr. Castillo is very passionate about teaching and mentoring students and residents. He participates in various medical missions and community outreach programs.

To RSVP for Dr. Castillo’s First Friday presentation on “End of Life Care,” call 559-537-1530 or visit ahcvinfo@ah.org by Tuesday, Sept. 2. Seating is limited to 50.