April 16, 2026
National Healthcare
Decisions Day
What Matters Most
Starts with Choosing Someone You Trust
Your life is a story shared with people like spouses, partners, siblings, children, friends, family, neighbors. And one day, one of them may be asked to speak on your behalf. Choose someone you trust. Someone who won’t hesitate. Someone who understands what matters most to you.
National Healthcare Decisions Day is an opportunity to start the conversation, choose a decision maker, and take meaningful steps to prepare for future medical decisions.
Join Us!
This year, the Supportive Care Collaborative is marking National Healthcare Decisions Day with a press conference, a lunch reception, and a series of community workshops focused on advance care planning and the importance of choosing someone you trust.
Together, these events will help raise awareness, share practical tools, and encourage more people to talk about what matters most before a health crisis happens.
Join us at the Press Conference April 16, 2026 • 10:00am
What:
The Supportive Care Collaborative will host its fourth annual National Healthcare Decisions Day press conference. This years press conference will be held on the steps of San Francisco City Hall.
This public event will bring together local leaders, health care experts, and community members to highlight the importance of advance care planning. We will hear from older adults in the community, Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman, Executive Director of Aging and Disability Services Kelly Dearman, and advance care planning expert Dr. Rebecca Sudore.
When:
Thursday, April 16th
10:00am to 10:45am
Add to Calendar
Where:
Steps of San Francisco City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
Map to Location
Join the Community Event
Following the press conference, we will host a community event and reception at the San Francisco Disability Cultural Center. If you would like to attend the community event, please get in touch.
Workshop Series
Free workshops will be offered in partnership with community organizations and UCSF Palliative Medicine clinicians to help individuals and families learn more about advance care planning and choosing a trusted decision maker.
Some workshop details are still being finalized and will be added as they become available.
Centro Latino de San Francisco Wednesday, April 8 • 11:30am - 1:30pm
On Lok 30th Street Senior Center Monday, April 13 • 11:00am - 1:00pm
MNC Inspiring Success Tuesday, April 14 • 10:00am - 11:30am
San Francisco IHSS Public Authority Tuesday, April 21 • Time TBD
Bayview Senior Services Date & Time TBD
Curry Senior Center Date & Time TBD
Family Caregiver Alliance Date & Time TBD
San Francisco Latino Task Force Date & Time TBD
Self Help for the Elderly Date & Time TBD
Shanti Project Date & Time TBD
YMCA Date & Time TBD
Thank You to Our Partners
This event is organized by the San Francisco Palliative Care Work Group in partnership with On Lok. It is made possible through the generous support of the Stupski Foundation, along with in-kind support from the Department of Disability & Aging Services, On Lok, and the University of California, San Francisco. Their commitment to ensuring that every San Franciscan has access to high-quality, person-centered care is instrumental in making advance care planning a reality for our community.
If you are interested in supporting National Health Care Decisions Day (NHCDD), please review our sponsorship options and contact Loren Pogir at lorenpogir@sfpcwg.org.
Why National Healthcare
Decisions Day Matters
National Healthcare Decisions Day is an annual effort to help more people prepare for future health care decisions before a crisis happens. It encourages people to choose a medical decision maker, reflect on what matters most, and begin sharing those wishes with others.
For many people, the hardest part is simply getting started. This day helps make that first step feel more practical, personal, and accessible.
Our Fourth Year
of Community Action
The Supportive Care Collaborative has led National Healthcare Decisions Day efforts in San Francisco for four years. Each year, we bring together community organizations, clinicians, public leaders, and residents around one shared goal: helping more people begin the medical planning process in ways that feel trusted, relevant, and easy to start.
In addition to the press conference, partners across the community may host workshops and local activities on or around April 16. These events bring the conversation into neighborhoods and trusted community settings, where people can ask questions, learn from others, and take practical steps.
Check Back Soon
We will continue updating this page with event details, locations, and workshop information.