European Association for Palliative Care appoints new chief executive

Dr Ling, who is currently Head of Strategic Development at LauraLynn, Ireland’s Children’s Hospice in Dublin, will take on the role from 1 January 2015.

The organisation’s current CEO, Heidi Blumhuber, will retire on 10 May 2015, after 25 years in post.

Dr Ling has a national and international reputation as a leader in palliative care, representing children’s palliative care at national level in Ireland and internationally.

Commenting on her appointment, Dr Ling told ehospice: “I am delighted to be appointed as CEO of the EAPC. I am really looking forward to working with members of the EAPC on key issues in palliative care and hope to meet with them at the upcoming EAPC conference in Copenhagen from 8-10 May 2015.”

Dr Ling is already actively involved in the EAPC’s paediatric palliative care activities – she is currently Chair of the Paediatric Palliative Care Education Task Force and a co-author of the EAPC’s White paper on core competencies for education in paediatric palliative care.

She was also involved in the creation of the public-facing children and young people palliative care website, which was launched last week in Ireland.

Prof Sheila Payne expressed her confidence in the strengths that Dr Ling will bring to the EAPC from her impressive track record in senior management, policy, research and clinical work: “This will be key to keeping the EAPC at the forefront of international palliative care and will build upon the sound and excellent foundations laid down by Heidi, supported by the head office team.”

Commenting on the appointment, the International Children’s Palliative Care Network’s chief executive, Joan Marston, said: “I am delighted to hear of the appointment of Dr Julie Ling as the new CEO of the EAPC. Julie has been committed to the development of palliative care for children and we look forward to strengthened collaboration to benefit the children of Europe. 

While congratulating Dr Ling on her appointment we also wish to thank Heidi Blumhuber for all her help and support during her long service to palliative care in Europe, and wish Heidi a long and happy retirement.”