Dr. Ivy Akid is a physician who wants to change our perspective on a topic that is ever present in our lives, but is so rarely talked about . . dying.
Thoughtful. Introverted. Independent
Join us at TEDxLogan Circle 2025 to hear Dr. Ivy Akid's inspiring message and be part of the movement towards a more inclusive future.
Can you tell us a little about what you will be talking about on the TEDxLogan Circle stage?
I will be talking about dying, its inevitability and finding beauty in the human experience. The talk will normalize death and inform the audience on the dying experience, and share important information on how they may speak with their loved one who is ill.
What is one thing that you would like the audience to take away from your talk?
Communication is a key part of dying with grace and finding the beauty within death. It can help foster healing relationships, impact acceptance of death, relieve suffering, and help prioritize what truly matters.
Who are three people who inspire you to be creative and courageous?
1. My husband George inspires me because he has an innate understanding of the world and that the small things in life are really the big things.
2. A friend of mine, Shelley Levinson won an Academy Award for her short film in the 80s when there were very few female directors in the industry.
3. Lena Dunham, because she's Lena Dunham!
2. A friend of mine, Shelley Levinson won an Academy Award for her short film in the 80s when there were very few female directors in the industry.
3. Lena Dunham, because she's Lena Dunham!
What books or movies make you think of courage?
1. Everyone Communicates, Few Connect by John Maxwell centers on the premise that true communication is through connection and understanding. A good connection requires being vulnerable and having the courage to do so.
2. The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera explores novel philosophical concepts and how life can be a contradiction.
3. Stand By Me by Stephen King is a beautiful portrayal of youth and nostalgia. It shows how moments in childhood shape our growth. It also had a killer soundtrack!
2. The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera explores novel philosophical concepts and how life can be a contradiction.
3. Stand By Me by Stephen King is a beautiful portrayal of youth and nostalgia. It shows how moments in childhood shape our growth. It also had a killer soundtrack!
What are your favorite local businesses in the Logan Circle?
1. The DC Public Library. Having attended college in D.C., I have spent many days in the library reading in solace and solitude. I also started a small program for D.C. youth named "Books Bridging Borders" where my friends and I read books describing different cultures to children who come to the public library.
2. Amelie DC Bistro: One of my favorite cuisines is French cuisine and DC is known for its excellent dining experiences!
3. Planet Word Museum. This interactive museum is unique in sharing its history of language and use of words and even delves deep into expressions in poetry, which are all vital aspects in communication.
2. Amelie DC Bistro: One of my favorite cuisines is French cuisine and DC is known for its excellent dining experiences!
3. Planet Word Museum. This interactive museum is unique in sharing its history of language and use of words and even delves deep into expressions in poetry, which are all vital aspects in communication.
Dr. Ivy Akid
Dr. Ivy Akid is a physician at Johns Hopkins, where she focuses on palliative medicine, caring for elderly patients and those with advanced illnesses. Her unique insight into healthcare stems from her firsthand experience as a patient with a benign brain tumor and as a caregiver for her mother. This multifaceted perspective deeply enriches her practice and her role as an instructor for doctors specializing in palliative medicine. A native of New York City, Dr. Ivy's passion extends beyond medicine into the arts; she is a published poet and contributes to a creative film group in Baltimore, embodying a love for life and creativity.
Join us at TEDxLogan Circle 2025 to be part of the movement towards a more inclusive future.