Colorado Healthcare Ethics Forum

CHEF utilizes three methods of communication: this web page, an email listserv, and annual meetings.

CHEF promotes three goals:

1. To maintain, strengthen, and broaden contacts among those interested in healthcare ethics throughout Colorado.
2. To serve as a forum to share information.
3. To share ethics related educational opportunities.

Click HERE for the Strategic Planning Summary, 11/18/05.

CHEF began with a focus on Colorado hospital-based ethics committees, but has quickly grown to include ethics committees from several other healthcare organizations (hospices, nursing homes, community-based ethics committees, etc.).  Of the 73 Colorado hospitals, currently 49 hospitals (67%) have expressed interest in CHEF.  The 73 Colorado hospitals account for 10,854 beds; the 49 hospitals that have expressed interest in CHEF account for 9394 beds (86%).  The CHEF database currently includes 294 people and over 150 organizations (see contacts).
CHEF is directed by following board members:

• Peter Hulac, MD, CHEF President, The Children's Hospital, Denver, CO.
• Patsy Barnes, RN, CEN, CHEF President Elect, Colorado Community Hospice, Denver, CO.
• Deb Bennett-Woods, EdD, FACHE, RHIT, Chair & Associate Professor, Departmetn of Health Care Ethcs Director, Center for Ethics and Leadership in the Health Professions Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions Regis Univeristy, Denver, CO.
• John A.K. Boyd, MD, FAAFP, Chief Medical Officer, Mercy Medical Center, Durango, CO.
• Mary Crumbaker, BA JD, Director Research and Compliance, St. Mary's Hospital & Medical Center, Grand Junction, CO.
• Linda L. Davidson, LCSW, MSW, Director, Care Coordination, McKee Medical Center, Loveland, CO.
• Susan Fox Buchanan, JD, MA, former CHEF president, Ethics Committee Co-Chair at Exempla St. Joseph Hospital, Denver, CO.
• Cordt Kassner, PhD, former CHEF president, CEO, Colorado Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, Colorado Springs, CO.
• David Kenney, MA MDiv BCC, Denver, CO.
• Talon Windwalker, NHD OBL, Lakewood, CO.
• Mark Yarborough, PhD, Center for Bioethics and Humanities, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO.