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Our National Footprint

Primary Media Contact

Jonathan Cottor, MBA, MPH

CEO/Founder

jcottor@ncppch.org

About Jonathan

Jonathan Cottor is the proud dad of a son diagnosed at 9 months with Spinal Muscular Atrophy and who lived an incredible life until his death at 17 years (Dec. 2018). He and his wife co-founded a successful freestanding pediatric respite, palliative, and hospice care home in Phoenix (Ryan House). After a 30-year corporate marketing and leadership career, Ryan’s death became the tipping point for his decision to pivot fully to his heart. He earned an MPH at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with emphasis in policy and advocacy, and a certificate in Maternal and Child Health. Jonathan has been a national thought-leader involved with a growing coalition of existing and emerging community-based pediatric palliative care Home models which he now formalized into the National Center for Pediatric Palliative Care Homes, and its core program, “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

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

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