Compassion & Choices CEO Kim Callinan Nominated for Professional Women Excellence in Advocacy Award
Kim Callinan is a Nominee in Excellence in State Campaign Award
Jul 17, 2019
(Washington, DC - July 17, 2019) Compassion & Choices CEO Kim Callinan, MPP, PMP, has recently been nominated by the Professional Women in Advocacy Conference for its Excellence in a State Issue Campaign Award. Callinan was nominated for her instrumental work as a national leader in state campaigns to pass medical aid-in-dying laws.
Under Kim’s leadership at Compassion & Choices, the organization has led campaigns to pass medical aid-in-dying laws in five states in five years: California in 2015, Colorado in 2016, the District of Columbia in 2017, Hawai‘i in 2018, and New Jersey in 2019. These laws allow mentally capable, terminally ill adults with six months or less to live the option to get a doctor’s prescription for medication they can decide to take to die peacefully in their sleep if their suffering becomes unbearable.
“Kim’s significant skills and talents have helped to facilitate a growing nationwide movement to advance patient-driven care at the end of life. This award nomination exemplifies Kim’s leadership, and we look forward to her continuing contributions to advance dignity at life’s end,” said David N. Cook, Chair of Compassion & Choices’ Board of Directors.
Kim Callinan has served at Compassion & Choices for four years since May 2015. For three years, she held the position of Chief Program Officer before rising to the position of CEO in February of 2018. Under her leadership, Compassion & Choices has been changing the hearts and minds of U.S. lawmakers and voters, taking the once-fringe issue of medical aid in dying and making it a mainstream and accepted value. Two prime examples include convincing health and medical societies, such as the American Academy of Family Physicians, to drop opposition policies; and attracting the support of organizations and leaders representing diverse communities, such as the National Hispanic Council on Aging, Dolores Huerta and Desmond Tutu.
“While it is an honor to be recognized as one of the nominees for this prestigious award, I am ever mindful that our progress comes as a result of our dedicated and talented staff and supporters,” said Kim Callinan, CEO of Compassion & Choices. “Our collective efforts are resulting in incremental steps toward transforming the way American’s die — one state, one doctor, one health system at a time.“
The Professional Women in Advocacy Conference will choose the top three finalists on August 1st and the award will be announced at the EIA reception on October 21st.
About Excellence in Advocacy Awards
The 2019 Excellence in Advocacy Awards put the spotlight on everyday advocates who dedicate themselves to representing their issue, cause or organization in the public policy arena. Nominations are free and provide great benefits to nominees and their organizations including three months of visibility and promotion; recognition in paid and earned media; discounts to the PWIA conference and EIA Awards Reception and entry into a special community of past EIA nominees impacting public policy.
