The purpose of the Advisory Board is to provide insight, advice, and context to the CCCC staff and Board of Directors into current issues and controversies affecting the field of serious illness care, including palliative care and advance care planning.
Susan Barber
Susan Barber’s work in end-of-life care happened quite by accident during the AIDS epidemic when dozens of her friends became ill and many died. During those years, with the support she found in the Center for Attitudinal Healing, she was able to enter into these deaths with compassion and less fear. In 2015, Susan began working at Mission Hospice & Home Care where she founded, grew, and managed the Community Education Program. The work that has resonated with her most deeply during this time was the partnership with Humane Prison Hospice Project’s pilot program to train prisoners in Compassionate End of Life Care in San Quentin. In July 2021, Susan left Mission Hospice and is now working as the Outreach & Volunteer Manager for Humane Prison Hospice Project, and as the Director of Community Education for the Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Foundation.
Chad Hahn
Chad Hahn is a technology executive and entrepreneur with 20 years of experience in business development, strategy and execution of technology-focused initiatives. He has started and successfully exited two service businesses, one of which was focused on social enterprise. He has a strong background in digital strategy, organizational change and enterprise architecture, with deep expertise in both traditional and emerging technologies.
Juliana "Jill" Mendlen, RN
Jill Mendlen is the President and CEO of LightBridge Hospice and Palliative Care, CEO of LightBridge Medical Associates, and President and CEO of Family Choice of New York. She is a nationally recognized expert in clinical program development, management, reimbursement, and strategic direction for hospice and managed care programs designed specifically to provide care to frail elders and those individuals with complex health care needs in a variety of settings. She has presented numerous programs throughout the country for various organizations including the California Association of Healthcare Facilities, the American Healthcare Association, the California Hospice and Palliative Care Association, the Center to Advance Palliative Care, and the American Health Insurance Plans Organization.
Michael W. Rabow, MD, FAAHPM
Michael Rabow is a physician researcher based at UCSF. He is an internist who provides palliative care, treating hospitalized patients with life-altering or terminal illnesses. He is director of the Symptom Management Service at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and associate director of the UCSF Palliative Care Leadership Center.
Joy Scott, MBA
Joy Scott is the founder and principal of Joy Scott Public Relation. Joy Scott is driven by a passion to make a difference. She actively seeks out innovators and “best-of-breed” companies that improve the well-being of their clients and consumers. Then, with insight and influence, she guides them to deliver maximum impact in their markets – driving sales, reputation, and growth with a blend of strategic thinking, relentless pursuit of results, and diplomacy.
June Simmons, MSW
June Simmons is nationally recognized for her leadership in the administration of health care organizations. Since founding Partners in Care in 1997, June Simmons, MSW, has led the organization’s pioneering role in developing and scaling evidence-based care models, leading to innovative and effective interventions for the management of chronic conditions, the challenges of aging, and better coordinated care to improve health care outcomes.
Rebecca Sudore, MD
Rebecca Sudore is a geriatrician, palliative medicine physician, and clinician investigator based at SF VA and UCSF. She conducts research to improve advance care planning and medical decision making for diverse, vulnerable older adults. To this end, she has designed, tested, and disseminated innovative, patient centered tools including an easy-to-read advance directive in over 10 languages and created the
Prepare For Your Care website.