For over 25 years, Grosklags' expertise while working in oncology, palliative care, and hospice has been welcomed by patients, caretakers and clinicians. Her compassionate demeanor as a clinical psychotherapist has supported patients, their families, and care providers who seek peace while experiencing the grief associated with end-of-life care.
Grosklags' childhood encounter with trauma and grief motivates her work. When she was only 11 years old, she was shopping in the grocery store with her 33-year old mother. Her mom suffered a heart attack and responders administered CPR. After spending the next three months in and out of the intensive care unit at the hospital, Grosklags' mother passed away. "My family lost out on many beautiful opportunities because of the lack in training and knowledge of end of life care," says Grosklags. "Little did I know then, that at eleven years old, my career and life work had presented itself."
Grosklags' first endeavor into film making is her new documentary, "Dying Is Not Giving Up." The film features Grosklags' patient, Judy Erdahl, who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. Knowing that her time was nearing an end, Erdahl describes to Grosklags the very human experience of dying, from first learning about her terminal diagnosis to what she hopes her death will be like. Together along with Erdahl's family, friends and oncologist, new perspectives are shared in hopes of making the dying experience more meaningful to a person. "Everyone deserves a good death," Grosklags says. "Our hope is that we can teach medical providers to approach the conversation of a terminal diagnosis and end-of-life care with more empathy, respect, and compassion."
Grosklags created the public healing forum "Conversations with Kelly" to share her experience and build community among those seeking healing. She hosts signature events to help minimize suffering and honor grief. She has shared national stages at hospitals, clinical conferences, schools, places of worship, and funeral homes.
Grosklags' book, "A Comforted Heart," is a collection of insights learned through her many years working with her patients. She has sat at the bedside of thousands of terminally ill patients and been with many of them at their last breath. "I feel privileged to take part in these profound and intimate moments with them, their families and their friends," says Grosklags. "I’m grateful for the lessons I have learned, and love that I can share them with others to offer reassurance, hope and healing, and perhaps change our perspective on dying."