Kerr Named Chief Executive Officer of The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 5, 2017
Cheektowaga, NY

Kerr Named Chief Executive Officer of The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care

The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care (CHPC) has named Christopher Kerr, MD, PhD as its new Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Kerr has been serving as the interim CEO since the recent departure of Patricia Ahern and had previously acted as interim CEO for the organization in 2013-14.
“The Board of Trustees is enthusiastic about our appointment of Dr. Kerr as Hospice's next CEO. Dr. Kerr is widely recognized, having cared for so many hospice patients over the years and is known for his empathetic nature. His years of experience and ability to lead the organization will enhance CHPC’s position both nationally and within our Western New York healthcare community,” stated EJ Butler, CHPC’s Chairman of the Board.

Dr. Kerr joined Hospice Buffalo in 1999 as the Medical Director for Hospice Buffalo’s 22-bed Inpatient Unit and served in that capacity until 2011, when he was appointed CHPC’s Chief Medical Officer. A native of Canada, Dr. Kerr received a Doctorate of Philosophy and Doctor of Medicine degree, followed by a residency in Internal Medicine at The University of Rochester. He has an extensive list of publications, presentations and awards. His research on patient’s end-of-life experiences has been featured nationally and internationally through media coverage, including The New York Times, Huffington Post, The Atlantic, BBC, Scientific American Mind, Psychology Today, and in an ongoing documentary.

“It is privilege to lead the dedicated employees and volunteers of this organization who bring such outstanding care and compassionate support to literally hundreds of people in our community each and every day. I’m excited to build on the national reputation and outstanding standard of care that Hospice Buffalo is noted for and to explore new opportunities to extend our mission of providing the highest quality hospice and palliative care services to our community,” stated Kerr.

The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care is the parent company of Hospice Buffalo, the only Medicare certified hospice program serving Erie County, NY. The organization also includes Palliative Care Buffalo, which provides palliative care and consultation to any patient with a serious illness, regardless of prognosis; Essential Care for Children - a home care program serving children with life-threatening illnesses and their families; the Wilson Support Center - provider of bereavement, education and resources to people coping with grief and loss; the Palliative Care Institute - a collaborative training initiative with the University at Buffalo; and the Hospice Foundation of WNY – the charitable fundraising arm of CHPC.
The organization serves more than 900 patients each day in private homes, hospitals and nursing homes. Hospice provides care, support, advocacy, and education to people impacted by serious illness and loss.