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Primary Media Contact
Jonathan Cottor, MBA, MPH
CEO/Founder
jcottor@ncppch.org
About Jonathan
Jonathan Cottor is a devoted father whose journey with his son Ryan, diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy at 9 months old, profoundly shaped his life. Ryan defied expectations, living an extraordinary 17 years until his death in December 2018. Inspired by their experience, Jonathan and his wife co-founded Ryan House, a pioneering children’s respite, palliative, and hospice care home in Phoenix, Arizona.
After a 30-year career in corporate marketing and leadership, Ryan’s death became the catalyst for Jonathan to align his work with his passion. He earned a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, specializing in policy and advocacy, along with a certificate in Maternal and Child Health.
Jonathan is now a recognized national thought leader in pediatric palliative care. He has been instrumental in building a coalition of community-based pediatric palliative care home models, culminating in the creation of the National Center for Pediatric Palliative Care Homes and its flagship initiative, Children’s Respite Homes of America.
Interviews with Jonathan
Jonathan Quoted in the News
75th Anniversary Article NHPCO Pediatric E-Journal May 2024 Edition
Rare Disease Article NHPCO Pediatric E-Journal Feb 2024 Edition
The Tangled Web of Pediatric Palliative Care Payment and Policy
Downloads
Other Interview Contacts
Melissa Keller
Executive Director – Abigail E Keller Foundation – Austin, TX
mkeller@aekellerfoundation.org
About Melissa
Melissa Keller is Founder and President of Abigail E. Keller Foundation. Her beautiful daughter Abbey had many health obstacles throughout her 11 ½ years from a myriad of diagnoses. The Abigail E. Keller Foundation was formed in loving memory to champion and support medically fragile and terminally ill children and their families in the Austin, TX area and aspires to design and build a pediatric respite/hospice facility where families feel safe leaving their medically fragile children in the full-time care of compassionate caregivers while they attend to other children, emergencies or imperative items. This facility would serve not only as a safe space staffed with trained professionals, but also as a tranquil and peaceful place to take their children to spend their last days in a private, comfortable setting outside of the home or hospital. Such a space is vital to families, especially those with other children at home, and there is currently nothing like this available in Texas for families needing respite care and/or end of life services.
News Articles
Pediatric Hospice Abbey House Gaining Momentum in Texas
6th Annual Abbey Lights Up COTA Gala
Architects plan first Central Texas pediatric respite and hospice facility
Abigail E. Keller Foundation hopes to raise funds to start a first of its kind pediatric respite and hospice facility
Downloads
Shanna Sieck
Executive Director – Mason’s Light House – Iowa City, IA
shannasieck@masonslighthouse.org
About Shanna
Shanna Sieck and her husband, Curtis, have first handedly experienced the need of a pediatric hospice home. They lost their son Mason on March 22, 2021. They had to travel 5 hours out of state to get the care they needed at a pediatric hospice home. During that stay, Mason woke up every day saying “Mom, I love it here”, and that’s where the mission for Mason’s Light House was brought to light. They have a passion for helping kids and their families going thru the unimaginable, to have the best experience they can possibly have. Our goal is to provide a loving, “home away from home” while giving professional nursing care. We want these children and their families to make as many memories as possible when they stay with us.
News Articles
Fundraiser set for future hospice home
‘Mighty Mason’: Honorary 7-year-old firefighter dies from rare disease, remembered for smile, love of God and others
Mason’s Light House to honor Grinnell boy’s legacy
Eastern Iowa family raises money in honor of their late son
