Roland L. Halpern

Mr. Halpern received his undergraduate degree from Hiram College, Hiram, Ohio and his graduate degree in Nonprofit Management from Regis University, Denver, Colorado.

His background includes twenty-seven years in the insurance industry, including ten years as vice-president and director of a major specialty insurance carrier. Part of his career was devoted to catastrophic injury reconciliation, dealing with parties who had sustained major trauma or with the survivors of those who had died from their injuries. This has given him unique insight into what families go through when confronting crisis situations.

Mr. Halpern was introduced to the aid in dying movement in 2002 as part of an effort to pass a physician aid in dying law in Hawaii. His extensive involvement in preparing research and giving testimony on aid in dying ultimately led him to Compassion In Dying where he served as executive director of its Hawaii affiliate.

Following the unification of Compassion In Dying and End-of-Life Choices, Mr. Halpern moved to Denver to become Director Community Relations for Compassion & Choices. In his current capacity he works nationally with the organization´s chapters and community groups, guest lectures on end-of-life concerns, works towards educating the public on the need for aid in dying laws, and conducts workshops on understanding and completing advance health care directives (living wills).