Critical Care Program Fulfills Patients’ Final Wishes, Bringing Comfort to Last Moments

Launched by a multidisciplinary Critical Care Medical Unit team in February 2025, the 3 Wishes Program at the University of Michigan helps patient-facing clinicians and staff honor and support patients nearing the end of life in the medical ICU. Since its inception, the program has fulfilled more than 70 meaningful end-of-life wishes, bringing comfort, dignity, and lasting memories to patients and their families.

The 3 Wishes Project was originally founded in 2013 by Dr. Deborah Cook and her ICU team at Joseph Healthcare Hamilton (SJHH) in Hamilton, Ontario. Wishes are determined through conversations between care teams, patients, and their families, and focus on things like patients' values, cherished memories, or favorite places and things to do. They are typically simple, yet meaningful, such as having a favorite food, receiving a visit from a pet, or listening to a favorite song.

For one patient dying from cancer, a wish became a deeply personal keepsake: a recording of her heartbeat placed inside a stuffed animal for her first grandchild, who was due just a few months later—allowing the patient to be present in spirit for the child she would not get to meet. 

For another patient, a celebration of life took the form of a favorite meal: a steak dinner from The Gandy Dancer. After learning who the meal was for, the restaurant went above and beyond by covering the cost and arranging after-hours delivery to the hospital. 

“There are so many people at Michigan Medicine working hard to bring comfort to patients at end-of-life, and their loved ones,” says Dr. Madeline Lagina, head of the 3 Wishes Program at Michigan Medicine. “I’m thrilled to be a part of the compassionate, interdisciplinary team that supports this important work.”

The program would not be possible without the generous support of our institutional partners, including Michigan Medicine Volunteer Services, Bedside Art and Bedside Music, the Office of Patient Experience, the Office of Decedent Affairs, and the Michigan Medicine Friends Gift Shop. We are also grateful for the community support of The Gandy Dancer and Ann Arbor T-shirt Company, whose kindness helps make these meaningful moments possible.

If you would like to support the program, please consider making a gift to the 3 Wishes Gift Fund through Michigan Giving.