Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Swiss-American psychiatrist Date of Birth: 08.07.1926 Country: USA

1. Early Childhood and Education
2. Journey to the United States
3. Impactful Experiences and Development of the Kübler-Ross Model
4. Seminars and Groundbreaking Book
5. Hospice Advocacy and Holistic Medicine
6. Controversies and Later Years

Early Childhood and Education

Elizabeth Kübler-Ross was born in Zürich, Switzerland, as one of triplets to Protestant parents. Despite her father's initial disapproval, she pursued her medical studies at the University of Zürich and graduated in 1957.

Journey to the United States

During the Second World War, Kübler-Ross worked in a refugee aid group in Zürich and later visited the Majdanek concentration camp. In 1958, she moved to the United States for further studies in New York.

Impactful Experiences and Development of the Kübler-Ross Model

Witnessing the poor treatment of dying patients during her psychiatric residency, Kübler-Ross initiated lectures on end-of-life care, revolutionizing the field. She received an appointment at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in 1962 and completed her training in 1963.

Seminars and Groundbreaking Book

In Chicago, Kübler-Ross conducted seminars with terminally ill patients, leading to the development of her famous five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance). Published in "On Death and Dying" (1969), these stages provided a framework for understanding the dying process.

Hospice Advocacy and Holistic Medicine

Kübler-Ross strongly advocated for hospices and opposed euthanasia, believing that premature death prevented people from resolving their affairs. She founded the Shanti Nilaya medical center in California and co-founded the American Holistic Medical Association.

Controversies and Later Years

In the late 1970s, Kübler-Ross's exploration of mediums, spiritualism, and out-of-body experiences led to a public scandal. Serial strokes in 1995 partially paralyzed her, forcing her to temporarily close her center. She died peacefully at her home in Arizona in 2004, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape end-of-life care today.