Myra Christopher’s life changed forever when her mother’s doctor appointment turned into a diagnosis for Stage IV esophageal cancer. Given a life expectancy of two years at best, Juanita Etheredge’s condition deteriorated quickly and Myra fought the hospital tooth and nail to allow her mother to die at home as she had wished. Hospice care was still nearly unheard of at this time. This fact motivated Myra to dedicate her life to helping others choose the medical care they desired at the end of their life. After going back to school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, a teacher directed her to talk to philosophy professor, Hans Uffleman. Through her mentorship from Professor Uffleman, she learned about the developing field of bioethics, became a supplemental instructor in the college’s medical department, and was eventually approached with the opportunity to be the executive director of the Center for Practical Bioethics. Myra took the medical field by storm through political lobbying, drafting the Patient Self-Determination Act and directing a national program for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to improve end-of-life care. She also founded the Coalition to Transform Advanced Illness in Washington, D.C. before her retirement, concluding an impressive career dedicated to providing a voice for the vulnerable.

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Protecting the Right to Die: Founder Wisdom #082 - Myra J Christopher