D.C. Health Foundation CEO Joins Nation's Leading End-of-Life Choice Organization

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Compassion & Choices has hired Nicholas Simmonds, a former foundation CEO, as its new Chief External Affairs Officer. An award-winning fundraising executive, he will oversee development, marketing and communications from the Washington, D.C., office of the national end-of-life choice organization.

"Nick's dedication to our cause and deep understanding of philanthropy, marketing and communications will help us enter a new era of funding and visibility for the booming end-of-life choice movement," said Compassion & Choices President Barbara Coombs Lee, an attorney, former ER and ICU nurse and physician assistant for 25 years before she coauthored the nation's first death-with-dignity law in Oregon. "His 30 years of expertise will help us maximize our amazing opportunity to expand the growing support for end-of-life options."

Simmonds most recently was CEO/President of Providence Health Foundation. It provides support for Providence Hospital, the longest continually operating hospital in Washington, D.C. Prior to that, he was Vice President of Development & Public Affairs for Charles E. Smith Life Communities in Rockville, Maryland. During his tenure there, he produced over $100 million in philanthropic revenues in 15 years.

"I am excited about this wonderful opportunity to join the organization that is the undisputed leader in advocating for end-of-life choice in our country," said Simmonds. "I look forward to working with our dedicated staff to reform our healthcare system to ensure that all dying Americans can pass away peacefully. I want to help Compassion & Choices expand its reach to match the demand for autonomy at the end of life."

Simmonds is a former president of the Washington DC Metro Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals, was named its Outstanding Fundraising Professional in 2007 and won the Campbell & Company AFP Award for Excellence in Fundraising in 2001. He earned a master's degree in International Relations from Sussex University in Brighton, England. He also holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in International Relations & Political Science from The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel.

About Compassion & Choices:
Compassion & Choices is the nation's oldest and largest nonprofit organization working to improve care and expand choice at the end of life. Leading the end-of-life choice movement for more than 30 years, we support, educate and advocate. More information is available at: www.compassionandchoices.org.

CONTACT: Sean Crowley, 202.495.8520-c, [email protected]

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SOURCE Compassion & Choices

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