The Completed Life Initiative

12/12/2025

David Hoffman—Senior Advisory to the Completed Life Initiative, healthcare attorney, clinical ethicist, and professor of bioethics at Columbia University—participated in a debate earlier this week about medical aid in dying. You can watch the debate here:

One of the most complex medical, ethical, moral, and religious questions of our era is that of physician-assisted suicide—also known as Medical Aid in Dying,...

12/02/2025

On December 3 at 6 p.m. ET, CLI's Senior Advisor, David N. Hoffman, will sit in conversation with Jeremy Boal—physician, medical director, and person living with a diagnosis of ALS—to discuss how hospice and MAID providers can align their models of care to best serve patients at the end of life.

This is the first session of a 3-part series hosted by Columbia University's Bioethics program. RSVP here:

Join our next virtual event.

11/12/2025

If you ever reach a point in life where you are unable to make your own medical decisions, it's important to have an advance directive form ready to go. Learn more about how to fill out an advance directive with our simple step-by-step guide: https://completedlife.org/what-are-advance-directives/ 📋

10/27/2025

Last week, sculptor Jackie Ferrara died at the time of her choosing through medical aid-in-dying. Her work included projects ranging from small-scale wooden sculptures to large-scale architectural forms. She was 95 years old.

Learn more about her story here: https://people.com/artist-jackie-ferrara-ends-her-life-medical-aid-in-dying-11837701?utm_campaign=peoplemagazine&utm_content=photo&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_term=68ffa33cea60b70001d17a5d&fbclid=IwdGRjcANslb9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHjwOIJkFr5U2ovBsbzsG6SowX3xNAjXA39g9eDV9hvzoWZU95mV-gcpVY4pq_aem_7b6PHPTiQdg1p6Byw8jB4w

Acclaimed artist Jackie Ferrara traveled to Switzerland to end her life at a clinic called Pegasos, an assisted dying nonprofit organization that doesn’t require patients to be terminally ill.

10/24/2025

Our friends at the Aid in Dying Collaborative (aidindying.org) will be hosting an information table at the 2025 HPNA Annual Conference next week (October 27-28). If you're there, be sure to swing by! They will be promoting clinical education resources and will be helping connect attendees to partner organizations.

10/17/2025

REGISTER: https://ohiooptions.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F26578

What is a death doula, and how can they assist patients and families at the end of life? We'll be answering this question on November 6, 2025, from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET when Death Doula Kacie presents as part of our End of Life Options Learning Series. Join us to learn more about this valuable resource for life's final chapter.

09/30/2025

📢 Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Friday that she will make a decision about signing the New York Medical Aid in Dying Act by the end of the year.

Learn more here:

Gov. Hochul to make a decision on Medical Aid in Dying before end of year

09/25/2025

Last week, we filled an auditorium with stories about life and loss. It grew into a conversation about how no one is truly alone. Read the recap here: https://completedlife.org/recap-of-the-3rd-annual-faith-sommerfield-memorial-lecture/

The 3rd Annual Faith Sommerfield Memorial Lecture featured Pulitzer Prize winner Jennifer Senior and renowned bioethicist Dr. Arthur Caplan, PhD.

09/11/2025

ONE WEEK AWAY! Join us for a discussion on grief and the challenges of accessing end-of-life care in the United States, featuring Jennifer Senior and Dr. Arthur Caplan, PhD.

Only a few tickets left. Don't miss out! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/third-annual-faith-sommerfield-memorial-lecture-registration-1412508393629?aff=oddtdtcreator

09/05/2025

Meet Arthur Caplan, the founding head of the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Hear him talk about the challenges of accessing end-of-life care in the United States at the 3rd Annual Faith Sommerfield Memorial Lecture on September 18 in NYC. This event is free and open to the public!

RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/third-annual-faith-sommerfield-memorial-lecture-registration-1412508393629?aff=oddtdtcreator

09/04/2025

Meet Jennifer Senior, winner of the 2022 Pulitzer for Feature Writing for her work, “On Grief: Love, Loss, Memory.” Hear her talk about grief at the 3rd Annual Faith Sommerfield Memorial Lecture on September 18 in NYC. This event is free and open to the public!

2 WEEKS AWAY 📣 Reserve Tickets Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/third-annual-faith-sommerfield-memorial-lecture-registration-1412508393629?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/27/2025

This year’s Faith Sommerfield Memorial Lecture is about the intersection of grief and end-of-life care accessibility. Reserve your free tickets now.

RSVP by September 15: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/third-annual-faith-sommerfield-memorial-lecture-registration-1412508393629?aff=oddtdtcreator