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Dr. Leslie Blackhall

Dr. Blackhall is the section head for Palliative Care at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. She is a nationally known expert in cross-cultural, ethical and clinical aspects of end-of-life care. She did her undergraduate degree at Yale University, went to New York University for medical school and residency training at Boston University. Her involvement in Tibetan medicine spans her career. In medical school Dr. Blackhall received a fellowship in Philosophy and Medicine where she compared Tibetan and Western views on health and illness and later spent a month in Dharamsala, India studying Tibetan Medicine with Dr. Yeshe Dhonden. Following her residency she received a Masters in Theologic Studies at Harvard Divinity School where she studied medical anthropology, the history of medicine, bioethics and Tibetan language. She works with the largest group of Tibetan Physicians in China, and has brought several to UVA as visiting professors. She has served as a visiting professor at the TsoNgon (ch: Qinghai) University Tibetan Medical College.

Upcoming Programs by Dr. Leslie Blackhall

Silent Dzogchen Practice Retreat & 2025 Fall Retreat: Being Present to the Moment of Death

Also with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, Tenzin Namdul, TMP, PhD, Father Francis Tiso and Dr. Nikki Mirghafori

September 30 - October 12, 2025

Join Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche at Serenity Ridge for both a silent retreat and the annual Fall Retreat/Dialogues, "Being Present to the Moment of Death" from September 30, 2025 to October 12, 2025. Two nights stay at no charge when registering for both events together. Silent Dzogchen Practice Retreat: September 30–October 5, 2025 Silence is a […]

2025 Fall Retreat: Being Present to the Moment of Death

Also with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, Dr. Nikki Mirghafori, Tenzin Namdul, TMP, PhD and Father Francis Tiso

October 7 - 12, 2025

The 2025 Serenity Ridge Dialogues with Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche & Special Guests For those on a spiritual path, moments of transition provide potent opportunities for self-transformation, and no transition more than the moment of death! Join us in a discovery of spiritual practices that help prepare for the moment of death and that can […]

Online 2025 Fall Retreat: Being Present to the Moment of Death

Also with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, Dr. Nikki Mirghafori, Tenzin Namdul, TMP, PhD and Father Francis Tiso

October 7 - 12, 2025

The 2025 Fall Retreat & Serenity Ridge Dialogues with Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche & Special Guests For those on a spiritual path, moments of transition provide potent opportunities for self-transformation, and no transition more than the moment of death! Join us in a discovery of spiritual practices that help prepare for the moment of death […]